Philadelphia Tribune - Index

Philadelphia Tribune - Sunday, September 07 2008 - Index

Page 4-D
Music Director Jerome Lang makes a joyful noise in the sanctuary during worship service at
Bethel AME Church.
Stephanie Guerilus
Tribune Staff Writer
Bethel A.M.E. Church is a
toried institution, but not one
o rest on its laurels. After
ore than 125 years, the oldst
Black church on the Main
ine, it is still striving to
trengthen its covenant with
od.
Moving from religion to relaionship
is the premier theme
f the congregation led by Rev.
arlos Bounds who recently
elebrated his first anniversary
t the church.
“We are trying to establish
aking our relationship with
esus stronger than we do with
ur religion and denomination,
ecause we believe that if our
elationship with God
trengthens than we believe
hat our denomination with
od will be strengthened even
ore,” Bounds said.
He returned from vacation to
eliver a rousing sermon that
mphasized stepping up in
ne’s spiritual life. The father
f two girls tailored the mesage
to coincide with the backo-school
season, offering that
e thought of it as a new begining.
Bounds not only encourged
his 175-member fellowhip,
but put it in their spirits
o find ways of improvement.
e acknowledged that there
as room for him to grow as
ell.
“It entailed taking more of
ur time to improve on our way
f life from a spiritual point of
iew, and for other areas in our
ife, whether it’s our job,
hether it’s our education,
ecause we always desire God
o raise us financially, (or)
ealth-wise, but I feel that it
as time for us to raise our
evel of standards and our worhip
to him and our service to
im,” Bounds said.
“I believe that daily …when
od gives us an opportunity to
et up another day, I feel that
e should certainly strive to be
etter than we were the day
efore, and that whatever area
f my life, whether it’s studying
he Bible or in my prayer life,
y serving as a husband and a
ather, so each day, I focus, I
ry to focus on doing better
han I did the previous day.”
Bethel carries this mantra
utside of the church by evanelizing
to others in the hope of
ettering other lives. First lady
my Bounds, a specialty repreentative
for a pharmaceutical
ompany, led efforts to engage
n outreach at 48th and Market
treets to share the Gospel. It’s
dedication that she said
xemplifies their commitment
nd love to all in the communiy.
“I think it’s a church that
elebrates our Lord and Jesus
hrist. I think they’re acceptng
of people of all ethnic
roups, all nationalities, but
e have the one faith of, you
now, loving the Lord…what I
ould want them to know is
hat the church is a resource
there for them. These are generous
people, they’re hardworking
people. They’re willing
to support those who are in
need, and I’ve seen that in the
way they have supported my
family through death and disappointments
in the last year,”
Amy Bounds said.
She has also been instrumental
in working with the
Sunday school and infusing
Bethel AME with a younger
delegation. She believes new
additions would not only help
in the church’s development,
but would receive a plethora of
guidance.
“I also think it’s a great place
for having good role models for
young people, because it’s an
older church. They’ve been
through a lot of experiences
and I think they are willing to
support their young people”
Bethel will next support its
own and the community with a
health fair to be held Saturday,
Sept. 13 at the church. There
will be a walk-a-thon between
8 and 10 a.m. and the actual
fair, in which the church members
are working closely with
Bryn Mawr Hospital. Healthy
eating, alternative medicine
and high-risk diseases such as
diabetes and hypertension,
which target African
Americans, will be highlighted.
It is these kinds of acts and
familial bonds that have kept
members in the fold for over 20
years, some as long as 60.
Lewis Gaskins, who is in the
senior and men’s choirs and is
a trustee who also takes care of
maintenance, has been attending
Bethel AME for the past six
BETHEL AME CHURCH
decades. He had high words of
praise for his fellow worshipers
and pastor.
“We have a good time…I
think we enjoy one another,”
Gaskins said.
“The pastor, he’s fantastic.
I’ve been there all this time and
I think of all the preachers and
he has been the best one I have
ever come across.”
Dr. Davis Martin, a veteran
member for over 35 years,
echoed his sentiment. Having
been raised AME, Davis
sought another church of the
same discipline and said he
was embraced lovingly. He is
the vice chair of the stewards’
board, sings in the male
choir and works with the
kitchen crew. He also puts it
in his appointment book to
never miss Bible study on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
He further extolled the
church’s “vibrant praise and
worship” atmosphere and the
impact he hoped it would
have on his life.
He said Bounds’ service is
charged, declaring he was reinvigorated
by his sermon on
seeking a higher spiritual
plane.
“There’s one thing about the
pastor. He doesn’t give up that
pulpit at all. He doesn’t surrender.
He likes to be there. He
does a good job and I enjoy
going to church. This is my
church and I think that church
Sunday, September 7, 2008
he goal: Each day, grow closer to God
Bethel A.M.E. Church
50 S Merion Ave
Bryn Mawr PA 19010
(610) 527-6674
Rev. Carlos Bounds
11 a.m. service
Earlene H. Mercer, left, puts her hands together in praise during
service at Bethel AME.
The Bethel AME Male Chorus joined forces to magnify the name of the Lord during worship
service. — PHOTOS BY ANDRE PASCOE
Pastor Carlos Bounds delivers the word of God during service at Bethel AME.
Shawn Lee delivers a powerful solo performance during worship service.
is going to help me when I pass
to the gates of heaven to open
so that I can enter,” Davis said.
Ultimately, Bethel AME
members will continue to strive
toward making the bond
between religion and relationship
sustain itself until they
are called to their reward.