True Gospel Tabernacle Family Church Church of God in Christ International
Prelate of The Philadelphia and Ghana Jurisdictions Church of God in Christ International 1606 Mifflin Street
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19145
Saturday, October 13, 2012, Twelve O’clock Noon
PhiladelphiaJurisdiction & Ghana Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ International
Bishop Ernest McNear, Prelate True Gospel Tabernacle COGIC Intl 1606 Mifflin Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19145 215-334-334 emcnear@aol.com
A Word of Greetings and Gratitude
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reetings to you all and welcome to True Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ International. We are so very pleased and blessed by your presence here today and your willingness to share in this momentous occasion in our lives and ministry. We give all the glory to God for his love and grace that has allowed us to participate in his divine plan of redemption, restoration and salvation for all humankind. We are deeply grateful to the congregation of True Gospel Tabernacle for their unwavering faith and support of the mission and vision of this ministry. As a result of our service together, God, in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to elevate us to a greater position of service. However, this would not have been possible without the love, prayers and support of the many friends, partners and colleagues who have worked with us, prayed for us and unselfishly shared with us their wisdom, knowledge and ministerial gifts. We are particularly grateful to the leadership of the Church of God in Christ International, Senior Bishop John H. Davis, and Assistant Senior Bishop Richard G. Gatling, Sr., who were led of God to entrust us with the office of Jurisdictional Bishop of Philadelphia and Ghana Jurisdictions, COGIC International. We also want to appreciate the work and ministry of our National Supervisor of Women, Mother Dr. Mary J. Lilly. Finally, we are eternally grateful to Bishop Richard A. Copeland, Chairman of the Board of Bishops, who allowed God to use him to invite us to be a part of this great church and for his steadfast confidence in our ministry. First Lady Barbara and I are truly honored and humbled by the love of God and the faith of his people that has brought us to this ministry milestone. We want you to know that we understand that this is not merely an elevation of honor, but it is a position of responsibility and a greater opportunity to serve in our quest of “Doing the Gospel.” Thank you and God Bless You,
Ernest & Barbara McNear Mark 12:11 “ This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes...”
The Man, The Mission and The Ministry
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he Rev. Dr. Ernest McNear, a man of faith, a man of prayer, and a man anointed by God, founded True Gospel Tabernacle Church in 1985, when he answered God’s Call to the Pastorate. Being led of the Lord and empowered by the Holy Spirit, he has been steadfast and unmovable in keeping the Great Commission and serving the people of God in the Church, throughout the Community, those incarcerated and abroad. Aside from the pastorate at True Gospel Tabernacle Church of God In Christ International, which is located at 16th & Mifflin St in South Philadelphia, he is the Host Pastor of True Gospel Time Broadcast, a daily radio program currently heard in the Delaware Valley area. He is also the Principal of True Gospel Tabernacle Learning Center, a state licensed pre-school and grade school, and the President of True Gospel Tabernacle Institute of Bible and Ministry. As “God’s Gospel Saxophonist,” he finds the time to preach locally at other churches and to travel across the country and abroad, sharing his Evangelistic Anointing as a preacher and gifted musician. Rev. Dr. McNear has been consecrated a Bishop in the Church Of God In Christ International, serving in the capacity of Prelate of the Philadelphia Jurisdiction and the Ghana Jurisdiction in West Africa, which is comprised of forty-two churches and two grade schools.
As the president of True Gospel Tabernacle’s Philadelphia Freedom From AIDS Campaign and Vice President of Philadelphia FIGHT’s Executive Board, he is on the front line of the fight against HIV&AIDS. He also serves as Chairman of Kingdom Care Reentry Network, one of the largest and most effective reentry programs in Philadelphia. He has distinguished himself as an authentic prophetic voice for the Gospel of Christ and a champion for biblical, criminal and social justice. With the intent to be fully equipped for the work of the ministry, Bishop McNear attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., and is a graduate of Geneva College at CUTS (Center for Urban Theological Studies), where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. He is a graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree. He received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA. He is a professor at LTSP and LBC@CUTS, teachng Biblical Studies and Urban Ministry. Bishop McNear firmly believes in the power of “touching and agreeing on earth” and he attributes the foundation of his strength and faith in Christ to be built on a consistent and fervent prayer life at home with his wife and helpmate, Evangelist Barbara McNear. He is the dedicated father of Elder Vance McNear, daughter-in-law, Missionary Sabrina McNear, daughter, Keneysha McNear-Cornish, son-in-law Justin Cornish and loving grandfather of five grandchildren, Amber, David, Olivia, Dorian and Donta. But most of all, The Right Reverend Doctor Ernest McNear is a man who loves God, loves God’s Word and loves God’s People.
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The Order of Divine W orship Saturday, October 13, 12 Noon True Gospel Tabernacle COGIC International (+ Where Indicated, Please Stand)
+The Call to Worship .............................................................................................. Bishop Reuben T. Jones Jr. (Jones Memorial Community COGIC) + The Ecumencial Procession (Time and Glory)...................................... by First Lady Barbara McNear and Bishop Ernest McNear • COGICI Bishops • Presiding Bishops • Asst. Presiding Bishops • Leading Clergy • Pastors, Elders, Ministers +The Congressional Hymn ........................................................................................... “I Am Thine, O Lord” +The Invocation Prayer ............................................................................................ Bishop Audrey F. Bronson (Presiding Bishop, International Fellowship of Churches) The Chant ................................................................................................................... “Sweet Hour of Prayer” The Old Testament Scripture (1st Samuel 16:11-13) ................................ Bishop Geoffrey H. Gibbs I, Prelate (Delaware Diocese Church of Christ Written in Heaven) The New Testament Scripture (Titus 1:7-9) .............................................................. Bishop J. Howard Debro (Rehoboth Full Gospel Church, Philadelphia) The Statement of Purpose ........................................................................................ Bishop James C. Watford (National Secretary COGIC Intl’, Prelate North Carolina Jurisdiction) Greetings ................................................................................................................. Mother Dr. Mary J. Lilly (National Supervisor of Women COGIC Intl’ Conneticut) Greetings .............................................................................................................. Bishop Richard G. Gatling (Assistant Senior Bishop, COGIC Intl’ Conneticut) Ministry of Music ..................................................................... Philadelphia Jurisdiction COGIC Intl’ Chior Ministry of Giving ......................................................................................... Bishop Benjamin F. Peterson Jr. (Greater Bible Way Temple, Bible Way Churches Worldwide) Mark 12:11 “ This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes...”
The Order of Divine W orship Statements of Affirmation Academic Affirmation ......................................................................The Reverend Dr. Wilbert S. Richardson (President, Lancaster Bible College at Center for Urban Theological Studies) The Reverend Dr. Philip Krey (President, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia) Government Affirmation ............................................................................ The Honorable Micheal A. Nutter (Mayor of The City of Philadelphia) Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity ...................................The Reverend Terrence D. Griffith, President Community Service Affirmation ............................................................... Ms. Jane Shull, Executive Director (Philadelphia FIGHT:HIV/AIDS Services) The Reverend Linward Crowe (Navigators & Kingdom Care Re-entry Network) Ghana Jurisdiction COGIC Intl’ ................................................................. Reverend Howard Ato Anderson (Jurisdictional Secretary, Ghana Jurisdiction COGIC Intl’) True Gospel Tabernacle COGIC Intl’ ....................................................... Deaconess Frances Lee Emanuel Introduction of Gospel Messenger ....................................................................... Bishop Reuben T. Jones Jr. Sermonic Hymn .............................................................................................................. Sister Arlishia Fields The Preached Word ........................................................................................... Bishop Richard A. Copeland (Chairman of The Board of Bishops) Prelate South Carolina Jurisdiction COGIC Intl’ Introduction of Honoree ...................................................................................First Lady Babara A. McNear
The Honoree—The Right Reverend, Dr. Ernest McNear Ecclesiastical Affirmation & Prayer of Blessings ......................................... Bishop Ernest C. Morris, Prelate (Koinania Jurisdiction COGIC) +Benediction and Reccessional *Reception immediately following service in the Fellowship Hall (2nd Floor)
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Ghana Jurisdiction Church of
Mark 12:11 “ This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes...”
f God in Christ International
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Mark 12:11 “ This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes...”
His Lordship, The Honorable Bishop Dr. Richard A . Copeland 1892 S. Briarcliff Road Or angeburg, SC. 29115 803-290-2534 – Cell
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ishop Copeland is a 1984 graduate of South Carolina State University of Orangeburg, SC with a Bachelor of Science Degree in counseling. He is also a 1985 graduate of the Full Gospel Bible College of Coatesville, PA where he earned his Doctor of Divinity Degree in Theology. He also received his Doctor of Religious Philosophy in Christian Education from the Overcoming School of Religion of Columbia, SC. Bishop Copeland is the National Chairman of the Executive Board of Bishops for the Church Of God In Christ, International, the National Director of Education and the National President of the Home and Foreign Missions Department of the Church Of God In Christ, International. Bishop Copeland is the Jurisdictional Bishop of the South Carolina Jurisdiction for The Church Of God In Christ, International. He is also the founder and chancellor of the New Life Theological Seminary and the WilliamsClemon-Davis Bible College. He is the pastor and founder of the New Life Temple Church Of God In Christ, International, Orangeburg, South Carolina. He is also an African Chief of the Gospel Village, Good News Community International, Nigeria, Africa. His Nigerian name is “Chief Odudu Abassi” (The Power Of God).
He is a 3rd degree Black Belt instructor in the art of Shorin-Ryu Karate. And he is the author of six books: “Blood On The Razor’s Edge”, “Who Say Ye”, “The Foolishness Of Preaching”, “Black Pentecostalism”, “Grow Up Saints”, and “The Measure Of God’s Love”.
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Mark 12:11 “ This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes...”
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Bishop John H. Davis
Bishop Richard G. Gatling
Senior Bishop
Assitant Senior Bishop
Bishop J. C. Watford
Mother Dr. Mary J. Lilly
National Gener al Secretary
National Supervisor of Women
True Gospel Tabernacle Family Church Church of God in Christ International 1606 Mifflin Street
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19145
Saturday, October 13, 2012, Twelve O’clock Noon