Deb Visits 50 Churches in 52 Weeks: #35 Loving Jesus on the Rock

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Little Rock AME Zion Church is a well known African American church in Charlotte and had long been on my list. Today seemed a good day to visit it.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
Little Rock is at 401 N. McDowell St. at the corner with 7th St.. Parking is plentiful, but I was able to ride my segway, though with no bike racks, I had to leave it at the bar across the street. Dress is dressy with a few women in hats and those in pants were still very dressy. Most men had on ties. The service started at 10 am and did not end until 1 pm.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

The mood was fairly friendly, though no one asked my name. When the service started, less than 100 people were in the large sanctuary, which gave it a sparce feel, but people continued to come in during the 3 hour service so that by the sermon, the sanctuary was pleasantly full.

MUSIC

The enthusiastic music director played a grand piano and often sang the solos or call and responses. He was accompanied by 2 guitars, an electronic organ, drums, flute, and percussionist. A youth choir sang. The prelude included an amazing rendition of Amazing Grace with the jazz flute. The flute counterpoints in the hymns and songs were also exquisite. Two young girls sang solos and were very good, and I loved the way the congregation encouraged one of them when she was obviously a little nervous. While several hymns and choral responses were sung by the congregation, only one had a hymn number listed in the hymnbook. This seems to be a common practice in African American congregations. It makes it hard for a visitor to follow along and participate when they are unfamiliar with the words for the hymns. The practice of playing the organ "under" the prayers, and sermon was also used. It seems spontaneous, but I wonder how much it is practiced. I think it is an acquired style that a musician must practice.

MESSAGE

The theme of Dr. Dwayne Walker's sermon was "Give me Jesus." He used as his text Matthew 5: 38-48, a familiar, and often quoted passage following the Beatitudes. It includes the passages "love your enemies, turn the other cheek, and if someone asks for your shirt, give him your coat also". He stressed that as Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, He was teaching us about the Spirit, vs. the flesh and therefore his perspective and charge was very different from what the world was used to. I liked his quote, "You can't made a difference, if you aren't different." Turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, and blessing those who curse you are all based on God's unconditional love for us all, which we are supposed to emulate. He related this to Dr. King's non-violent resistance. He asserted that like Dr. King, we should work to change the system, not the people. But respond to all people with love. He emphasized that those who try to destroy people by limiting food and medicine (referring, I assume to the repeal and replacement of the ACA) are choosing the way of Satan. Our response should be to break the cycle of hate with love. Exactly how this applies to the ACA, I wasn't sure (except for the changing the system part... but how?)

He said that we are called to be like Jesus, taking on his goodness and acceptance of all. While he recognized God's grace, he said, "If you do God's work, you will get God's pay," meaning we will get into Heaven. This is very close to a "Good Works Theology". He ended his sermon singing "Oh How I Love Jesus" and "Love Lifted Me." His cadence and oratory were very impressive.

The altar call and prayers were also impressive. Twice, half or more of the congregation went to the altar to offer or receive prayers.

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

This was the longest service I've attended yet: 3 hours. The great gospel music and the preacher's passionate sermon did not make it feel that long.
Twice politics entered the service. When talking about people of the flesh, Dr. Walker equated them to Beelzebub or Trump (he said, "oops") and during the prayer another pastor said "during the Age of Trumpism, many people are hurting." (This is the church that welcomed Hillary Clinton to Charlotte during the campaign.)

Hillary with Zianna Oliphant who made
the tearful plea to City Council at Little Rock
The church has received a grant from the Health Department and was completing a health survey this week as part of the grant. They encouraged members to participate in a 5K walk as part of the Village Heartbeat a joint project with several congregations.
I thought it interesting that the survey, not only included health questions, but also questions about cell phone, TV, and internet usage.
No specific outreach was highlighted in their announcements, just church meetings and educational opportunities.
Each person who came up to make an announcement began with "Good morning, Church Family..."
Church ushers were recognized during the service, by a delightful elderly lady who ended her tribute by singing "Trying to make 100, 991/2 won't do"
According to the church history, the name Little Rock comes from their first sanctuary (built after the Civil War) that was literally built on a rock.