Metropolitan AMECC

METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH Cumberland, Maryland
☀️ SUMMER BIBLE STUDY ☀️
PERSONAL POSITIONING
"Positioned to Be Used by God"
📖 Foundational Scripture Matthew 5:3-13
❓ Discussion Question What does it mean when we say, "I want to be positioned in my life to be used by God?"
🗓 Date: This Week 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM 💻 Zoom Meeting
Please join us as Rev. Dr. Keithlyn Warner unpacks the text and teaches us about "Personal Positioning"—how to be in place and prepared to be used by God for His purpose and glory.
Come ready to learn, grow, and engage in meaningful discussion as we explore what it means to align ourselves with God's will.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:3
Hope to see you on Zoom!
Have a blessed day,
Rev. Bernard Connelly Pastor

⛪🔥 Metropolitan AME Church Cumberland – Youth Sunday Sermon Recap 🔥⛪
📖 Scripture: Daniel 3:10-25
🎤 Preacher: Rev. Bernard Connelly
📝 Topic: "God Is Still Able to Do It!"
What a powerful Youth Sunday as our young people led us in worship and Pastor Bernard Connelly delivered a timely word reminding us that no matter what is happening in our lives, our communities, or our nation, God is still able to do it!
Pastor Connelly began by acknowledging that we live in troubled times. Everywhere we look there is uncertainty, pain, division, sickness, and struggle. Yet the question before every believer is simple:
Do you still believe God is able?
Drawing from the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Pastor Connelly reminded us that faith is not proven when life is easy. Faith is revealed when we are standing in the middle of life's fiery furnaces.
The three Hebrew boys refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, even when threatened with death. While others saw a furnace, they saw a faithful God. While others saw defeat, they saw deliverance. They were able to stand because they viewed their situation through spiritual vision rather than natural vision.
Natural vision focuses on the problem. Spiritual vision focuses on God's power.
Natural vision says, "The fire is too hot."
Spiritual vision says, "God is still in control."
Pastor Connelly challenged us to stop focusing on the size of our problems and start focusing on the greatness of our God. When faith becomes our lens, we begin to see victory before the breakthrough arrives.
One of the most powerful moments of the message came when Pastor reminded us that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace bound hand and foot. The enemy intended to destroy them, but God had another plan.
When King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he expected to see three men consumed by the flames. Instead, he saw four men walking freely in the fire.
They went into the furnace bound, but they were walking around loosed.
The fire did not destroy them—it destroyed what had them bound.
What the enemy meant for destruction, God used for deliverance.
Pastor Connelly reminded us that sometimes God doesn't keep us out of the fire, but He will meet us in the fire. The flames may burn away fear, doubt, and bo***ge, but they cannot destroy those whom God is protecting.
No matter what furnace you may be facing today—health challenges, family struggles, financial difficulties, grief, disappointment, or uncertainty—remember this:
🔥 God is still able to heal.
🔥 God is still able to provide.
🔥 God is still able to restore.
🔥 God is still able to deliver.
🔥 God is still able to make a way somehow.
The fire may be real, but our God is greater.
They went in bound, but they came out free. They went in threatened, but they came out victorious. They went in with three, but they found a fourth man in the fire.
If God did it for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, He can do it for you.
God Is Still Able to Do It! 🙌🏾🔥

The Blood Still Works! 🩸
Pastor Rev. Bernard Connelly, First Lady Connelly, and the Metropolitan AME Church family invite you to join us for Communion Sunday.
⏰ 11:00 AM 📍 309 Frederick Street, Cumberland, MD ✨ The light on the corner of Decatur & Frederick
Speaker of the Hour: Rev. Dr. Keithlyn Warner
Come worship. Come remember. Come be renewed.

✨ Sunday Sermon Recap ✨
Metropolitan AME Church – Cumberland
Pastor Connelly
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-10; Psalm 34:19
Topic: "Trouble Don't Last Always"
Subtopic: Standing Firm in Our Faith
This morning Pastor Connelly delivered a powerful message of encouragement for anyone facing trials, uncertainty, or spiritual battles.
Drawing from the Apostle Peter's letter to believers who were experiencing persecution and suffering, Pastor reminded us that difficult seasons are not a sign that God has abandoned us. In fact, God often does some of His greatest work in the middle of our storms.
Pastor shared that he has been praying for many who are carrying heavy burdens and facing challenges that seem overwhelming. Yet the Word of God reminds us not to give up, not to lose hope, and not to throw in the towel because trouble don't last always.
📖 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Pastor emphasized that if we are going to stand firm in our faith, we must learn to give our worries, fears, burdens, and struggles to God instead of trying to carry them alone. God never intended for us to be crushed by the weight of life's troubles. He cares for us and invites us to place every concern into His hands.
Standing Firm in Our Faith
🔹 Humble Yourself Under God's Mighty Hand (1 Peter 5:6)
God's timing is not our timing, but His timing is always perfect. Stay humble, trust His process, and know that He will exalt you in due season.
🔹 Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7)
Stop carrying burdens that belong to God. Give Him your worries, fears, disappointments, and concerns. When we release them to Him, we make room for His peace to strengthen our faith.
🔹 Don't Grow Weary While You Wait
Waiting seasons are not wasted seasons. God is still working, even when we cannot see it. Trust His promises and keep your eyes on Him.
🔹 Keep Walking, Keep Praying, Keep Trusting
Don't stop worshiping. Don't stop believing. Don't stop speaking life over your circumstances. Keep moving forward, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.
Drawing from Psalm 34:19, Pastor reminded us that, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." The storm may be real, but so is God's power. The struggle may be difficult, but God's grace is greater.
💜 Takeaway:
When the weight of life feels too heavy, don't carry it alone. Humble yourself before God, cast your cares on Him, stand firm in your faith, and trust His timing. The God who brought you through before will do it again.
Trouble Don't Last Always.