? ?1?? - ? . f ? RELIGION ^ ' ' * ? Joseph's journey from favored son to slave Mildred Peppers Sunday School Lesson i - 1 Lesson scripture: Genesis 37:3-4, l7b-28 Lesson aims: to further see the dangers of favoritism and to appreciate how God uses imper fect people. Background: Since the recon ciliation (Genesis 33), Jacob set tled in Shechem (a city). He bought land from Hamor, who was the father of a son called i i Shechem. Trouble arose with Dinah (Jacob and Leah's daugh ter). Jacob and Hamor made provisions to settle the dispute (Genesis 34:1-23) but Simeon and Levi attacked the men,, killed them all and look the women and wealth. Jacob got on them but seemingly not harshly enough. v God led them back to Bethel and Jacob ordered his family to get rid of all of the idols (Rachel brought them from her father's tent). In lay terms, this was a revival. They acknowledged their sins at Shechem and com mitted to God. The covenant . was reconfirmed (verses 8-15), / ? v 1 From Bethel they headed toward Bethlehem. On the way, Rachel (favored wife) went into labor. She died after giving birth to the 12th - Benjamin. At the end of chapter 3S, Jacob was restored to Isaac and he died at the age of 180. Both sons, Esau and Jacob buried him., Chapter 36 gives the genealo gy of Esau. He was the father of the Edomites. Lesson: At this point in the saga, all 12 sons of Jacob/Israel are in the covenant line. They and their offspring will be referred to as "children of Israel" or "Israelites" (Richard's Complete Bible handbook). Joseph, the favorite son, is the firstborn of Rachel. Jacob is proud of this son born to him in old age. Jacob makes him a col orful coat. Joseph is a dreamer and has the gift of interpretation. He shares his dreams with his broth ers. He also tells on them. They dislike him more and more. While the older brothers are tending the flocks in the fields, Jacob sends Joseph to them to check on things. They see him coming and begin to plot against him. Reuben suggests not to kill him but to leave him in a pit. They do just that! When the Ishmaeiites ?? (descendants of Midian, son of Abraham and Keturah) are passing by on their way to Egypt, Joseph's brothers sell him as a slave. The brothers dip the coat in goat's blood and take it to Jacob for identification. Jacob believes that his favorite son has been killed by a fero cious animal. Application: As we study the Bible, the revelation of God ? using imperfect people is pro found. The biblical characters are liars, deceitful, shortsighted, jealous, vengeful and at times, they do not acknowledge God. Yet, through it all God patiently works with them. There are instances where He isn't patient and He uses us in spite of otir attempts to run. Favoritism breeds malice and backbiting. Can't we see that? Feuding leads to rejection, and relationships and communities are split. God has a way of mak ing us wrestle with our imperfec tions. The main thing to remem ber is to persevere. Joseph does just that. Some scholars suggest that he was a type of Christ. Next week, we will examine how a tragedy in today's lesson becomes a blessing in the future. We must remember that God's favor isn't earned. Goler Memorial AME inaugurates Downtown Ministries 1 Special to The Chronicle The inauguration of Goler Memorial AME Zion Church's Downtown Ministries was cele brated Aug. 4 at noon. Exciting happenings are occurring at Goler Memorial, an institution that addresses the ? ' whole person, offering many opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, moments of beautiful music and inspiration, joy and praise. I Employees and employers from downtown enjoyed the noon hour by listening to a mini concert performed by saxophon ist Tony Chambers and vocalists Rev. Beverly McMillian, Betty Bowman and Sandra Scales. Each presented soul-stirring ren ditions to the audience. Noon services are held on Tuesdays, and Bible studies are held on Wednesdays at noon. The Rev. and Mrs. Seth O. ?> '* , Lartey presented plaques to sev eral community leaders and employers from downtown. They included: Dee Smith, director of the Winston-Salem Urban League; Alderwoman Joycelyn Johnson, East Ward; Bill Tatum, NAACP president; Ron Drdgo, president of United Way of ' i V. '" Forsyth County; Graham Pervi Sr, Forsyth County manager; Nigel Alston, vice president of Integon Corp. and a community activist; Arthu,f Barnes, general manager of the Winston-Salem Transit Authority; and Ernie Pitt, publisher of The Chronicle. Rev. Dr. Lartey invites the community to participate in ser vices, enrichment sessions, vol unteer opportunities, Bible stud ies, learning institutes - all held throughout the week at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church, 630 N. Patterson Ave. For more information, please call the church at (336) 724-9411. St. John Apostle Church of Christ honors Pastor Millner There will be a belated birth day and pastoral anniversary for Elder Harry E. Millner, who has been the pastpY of St.. John Apostle Church of Christ for 17 years and is going into his 18th year. The 17-year celebration will take place Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. ht Holiday Inn Select, 5790. Uni versity Parkway in Winston Salem. The speaker will be Dr. lames C. Richardson Jr., pastor bf Mount Sinai Apostle Church of Christ in God in Martinsville, Va. - * .. . *-y Millner was born on Aug. 13, 1942, in Martinsville, Va. He is the son of Mira W. Millner and the late Tony Lee Millner Sr. of Martinsville. He has two broth ers, Tony Lee Millner Jr. of Martinsville, Va., and James Herbert Millner of Atlanta. He also has a sister, Judy Elaine Niblett of Martinsville. He was raised in Mar tinsville. He is a life-time mem ber of Mt. Sinai Apostle Church of Christ in God in Martinsville. He received his elementary and high school education in Mar tinsville, graduating from high school in 1960. , , - He graduated magna cum laude in 1969 from N.C. A&T State University with a B.S. degree n history education. He graduated in 1970 with a mas ter's degree in social science edu cation and in 1986 with a mas ter's degree in school adminis tration. , ,v He has taught for 31 years, three years as an instructor for N.C. A&T State "University and 28 years as a teacher with Guil ford County schools. He works at Jamestown Middle School as a behavior improvement special ist. He works with in-school-sus pension students. He is a Vietnam era veteran. He served with honor in the U.S. Army from 1964-66. He is married to Jeanette Richardson Millner, and they are the proud parents of two adult children: Margaret E. Bowser, a teacher in the Win-. ston-Salem/Forsyth County School System; and Marlon Millner, who is employed with American Digital Media of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Millners have one grand child, Ruth Naomi Millner, who is a student at Downtown Mid dle School in Winston-Salem. The Millners have been active in church for 50 years. If you wish to attend the 17th annual celebration, please notify Gloria M. Sharp, 1300 Pleasant Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27107, phone - (336) 788-3184, There is a charge to attend. St. John Apostle Church of Christ is at 1131 E. 21 st Street in Winston-Salem. I Pastor Harry f. Millnor Shiloh Baptist to celebrate 107th anniversary The 107th anniversary cele bration of the historical Shiloh Baptist Church will begin Satur day with a church picnic at Jlupert Bell Recreation Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Games and a talent show will be held during this fellowship period. The anniversary service will . be held Sunday morning with Or. Phillip McPhee, pastor of .jdt. Calvary Baptist Cathedral, ^lassau* Bahamas, bringing the special anniversary sermon. The culmination of the activities will be a musical program