Inside This Issue

13 Keep it LegalThe “bootlegger” is the character who comes inside schools, grocery stores, beauty salons, barbershops, and fast food stops with DVD’s of the latest movies, sometimes before the movie is released or even while the movie is currently in theaters.

4 Tis The SeasonI was watching one of those life gurus on television the other night. She told a young girl if her prayers are not being answered, she is praying wrong or praying to the wrong God.

8 Teaching Our Your Youth The Meaning of AdventToday, many Christians celebrate Advent, not only by thanking God for Christ’s first coming as baby Jesus, but also for His presence among us today and anticipation of His final coming.

6 Election NightAfter the fingernails were all bitten down,  and Obama began to win more states, the crowd became more relaxed and the faces became brighter.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 12

16 Doing Your Part!After being impressed, I was then saddened. The fourth grader did not desire anything astronomical; it was simple at best.

hen the Lord spoke this theme into my spirit, I was immediately challenged with two pressing concerns. First, it called to question whether or not our local congregation

has been giving God our best through time, talent, and treasures. If not, why not? Have I been the reason why the parishioners have not given God the best of their service? This presents the second concern; it is about empowering the laity to serve. In what ways, other than through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, could I encourage the parishioners to look into their lives and determine if they have been giving God the best of their service? These challenges were pressing, but not unobtainable.

As I recall the opportunities provided for the congregation to serve, in accordance with our 2012 theme, while examining the level of participation of the same, I must admit I am disappointed. I cannot say with a clear conscious that at least 50% of the active membership engaged in the practice of lifechanging ministry, within this context. If the service to God occurred outside of the opportunities provided, which I pray it did, this is commendable. However, each member of this local branch of Zion has a responsibility to serve God by serving others, according to the opportunities provided by this ministry. Our local church is not as engaged in the life of this community as she should be. When giving God

the best of our service, it is only evident when our serving as the instigators of transformation is actualized by those in the community. This is one of the ways we measure our success in giving God the best of our service; it’s when we serve others.

Serving others has been the foundation of my ministry since arriving in December 2001. The

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REV. DR. L. BERNARD JAKESSenior Pastor/Teacher

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Message from the Senior Pastor/TeacherGiving God The Best We’ve Got In 2012:

A Reflective Moment.

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true Gospel of Jesus the Christ is about serving. God served us by giving Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus served us by being obedient to His Divine appointment, whereas He carried out his mission to save the ‘whosoever’. We are to serve God by serving humanity. When practicing Christians cease to serve others, it is akin to accepting a gift without saying “Thank you.” We can never repay God for what God did by saving our lives through the death,

burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, but we can show our appreciation by giving God the best we have to offer through time, talents, and treasures.

Although our 2013 theme is different from 2012, I am still challenged to encourage and press each member to give God the best of their service in 2013. There are a myriad of opportunities to serve, and all you have to do is commit to God by committing to serve in one of the ministries. Our community needs us. Our children need us. Our brothers and sisters who are considered by society as the “least of these” need us. Let me conclude this report by challenging each reader, posing this question: If God was to give you a letter grade of A to F on your serving God by serving others, even in the context of the local church, what would it be? Let us give God the best of our service in 2013. Shalom.

Giving God The Best We’ve Got In 2012: A Reflective Moment. cont.

“There are a myriad of opportunities to serve, and all you have to do is commit to God by committing to serve in one of the ministries.”

h, Black Friday-a day wrapped in materialism and competition the day after we profess love for each other and give thanks for the things we already have! Black Friday has

even nudged its way into the final hours of the Thanksgiving holiday with sales encouraged to separate us from our loved ones and thrust us into the hustle and bustle of crowds and cash. My eight-year-old Brooke asked me this week, “Mommy, is Black Friday for Black people?” I told her it is definitely not. Usually, the stores are the ones put “in the black,” meaning they make profit, while the consumer begins their decline into “the red,” meaning they are left in a negative financial situation. I’ve never understood how people purposefully go into debt purchasing material things. They may be smiling now, but many will be crying in January. Dare I say, despite how cliché it may sound, we have forgotten the true reason for the season. I find it quite frustrating and I look forward to Jesus’ return when he comes to set things right. We, as a society, and more pointedly, as Christians, are focusing on the wrong things. God wants us to focus on things like patience,

forgiveness and, of course, love, as we read in Colossians 3. That’s a bit of a struggle in a society that impresses upon us the need to have more and more, to be better than our neighbor, to produce more and quicker, and to look out for

ourselves first.

The return of Jesus, that’s what the Advent season is about! It’s not about Black Friday, and Christmas trees, and giving and receiving gifts. Durng Advent, we look forward to the return of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. We rejoice about the gift of salvation and His return to retrieve us. As we think back on our lives and reflect on the fact that we deserve much less, we become so thankful and so very joyous. We

understand and appreciate God, the gift of life and salvation through God’s son, Jesus. The awesomeness of the Advent season is an enduring hope and faith. We persist, thanking God for just being God and for loving us, despite us. As we look forward to Christ’s return, we should make sure that we are prepared for His arrival, and that we lead as many people to Christ as we can, rejoicing all the while.

Thank you, West Point, for the opportunity to serve you another year. It has truly been my pleasure working with this ministry monthly. May God continue to bless and keep each of you.

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Editor’s Point of ViewMin. Valerie A. Howard, Lead Servant and Managing Editor

Tis The Season

rayerfully reflecting on this year’s exhaustive list of opportunities to serve, and what it means to be a member of The faith family of West Point Missionary Baptist Church, the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles) kept repeatedly coming to mind. As I

thought about the various ways we were able to put feet to our 2012 challenge, Giving God The Best We’ve Got: Serving God As Committed Stewards Through Our Time, Talents, And Treasures, I saw the seven principles come alive within those of us who were moved to embed this challenge in our every day living. Looking ahead to 2013, Connecting With God Through Worship, Word, And Work!, I noticed a pattern of Pastor Jakes challenging us to embrace the reality that church is a lifestyle, not just something we do on Sundays. Similarly, practicing the Nguzo Saba is a lifestyle, not just something we talk about, and might practice, during the last week of the year, between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

It would be easy for me to show parallels to each principle of Kwanzaa and how they are immersed into the fabric of the life of this branch of Zion, and I might consider weaving that thread throughout the coming year. I will, however, this month, focus on the Multimedia Ministry, as this ministry is rapidly learning the true essence of church is a lifestyle!

It takes all seven principles to commit to doing the work of the church: Umoja - Unity; Kujichagulia - Self-Determination; Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility; Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics;

Nia - Purpose; Kuumba - Creativity; Imani - Faith! Without the embodiment of these seven principles, it is virtually impossible to commit to living a life that shows God better than we can tell God. Hallelujah is the highest praise we can offer God with our lips, but committing our lives to the reality of serving God to serve humanity is the highest praise we can

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KWANZAAA Celebration of Family, Community and CultureDeacon Jeri Wright

And The Point Is...

show God with our lives, Giving God The Best We’ve Got.

The Multimedia Ministry was blessed this year to receive an upgrade in technology. Because the faith family practiced the Nguzo Saba, the church now has a high-definition camera, projectors, large screens, and other equipment with which we can produce and show commercials during worship service, the lyrics to songs sung during Praise and Worship, the Scripture Lesson, Pastor’s sermon points, and more. Practicing The Seven Principles has afforded us the blessing of technologically “coming into the 21st century.” As a result of the church living Kwanzaa, the Multimedia Ministry is faced with each member being challenged on an even deeper, more personal level, as we seek to live Serving God As Committed Stewards Through Our Time, Talents, And Treasures!

This ministry has had to “step up to the plate,” and make life-changing and life-challenging decisions and commitments. Because to whom much is given, much is required, the Multimedia Ministry is faced with the daily challenges of intertwining the work of the church with their already crowded personal lives and daily schedules. It takes living church as a lifestyle to not allow the investment the faith family made in the purchasing of the visual equipment go in vain. Each member of this ministry, new and old, is learning how much work it takes to have a wonderful worship experience. We must strive for excellence in our service as we seek to minister in a way that provides a smooth production.

What does that mean? Glad you asked. Here is a litany of what has to happen during each week, Monday through Saturday, to technologically produce the worship experience we are now blessed to be a part of:

• A video has to be recorded of Pastor’s message to the faith family, highlighting matters of significant importance;

• The video recording has to be imported from the camera to the Mac (Apple computer);

• Once the recorded footage has been imported, it then needs to be edited - titles and text have to be added, transitions are laid, voice overs have to be audio recorded and inserted to various clips in the footage, and music has to be selected, downloaded and placed within the visual project;

• Before the Church Announcements Commercial is complete, the monthly calendar has to be updated and inserted, making sure the information does not scroll too quickly;

• Once all that is completed, the project has to be prepared to share, and barring no unexpected technological mishaps, a DVD can finally burn to produce a finished product.

• In addition to producing the Church Announcements Commercial each week, Pastor has to have heard from the Lord

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KWANZAAA Celebration of Family, Community and Culture cont.

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before the visual ministry partners can receive the Scripture Lesson for the week, the lyrics to the songs to be sung, and the main points of the sermon. At that time, it is the ministry’s responsibility to get that information, all text (words), create power point slides and input the information for each aspect of worship.

• Finally, before Sunday comes, it is the ministry’s responsibility to ensure the recorded footage from the previous worship experience has been imported from the camera to the computer, and then deleted from the camera’s memory, such that the camera has space to capture and record the next worship experience. This requires climbing a ladder at least twice weekly.

As the Multimedia Ministry seeks to perform excellence in the worship production, it is then the ministry’s responsibility to produce a quality DVD. This production alone takes approximately 15 hours to successfully complete.

What I have just offered is truly but a glimpse of the work of this facet of Multimedia Ministry. Does it seem overwhelming? If you try to approach this work without love, faith, trust in

God, and the embodiment of the Nguzo Saba, commitment to this work is unattainable. However, when you practice living church as a lifestyle, embodying the practices and principles of Kwanzaa, you live and breath unity, self-determination, ministering through collective work and responsibility, honoring the faith family’s cooperative economics, demonstrating purpose, creativity, and faith!

For those who have not accepted the 2012 challenge, it is not too late. We are still welcoming members of the faith family who want to give God the best they’ve got, and are willing to show God, putting faith to action by Connecting With God Through Worship, Word, and Work! in 2013. I now urge you to prayerfully consider how you will end this year, and start the New Year. Think on these things, and have a Happy Kwanzaa!

KWANZAAA Celebration of Family, Community and Culture cont.

dvent is a time when we spiritually prepare for the coming of the birth of Jesus Christ. During Advent, celebration typically involves a season of prayer, fasting and repentance.

Today, many Christians celebrate Advent, not only by thanking God for Christ’s first coming as baby Jesus, but also for His presence among us today and anticipation of His final coming.

As we prepare to celebrate Advent, it is also important to ensure our children are prepared and understand the meaning of Advent. During the month of December, our children are primarily focused on Christmas and receiving gifts. However, this is a great opportunity to teach them about Advent and help them focus on Jesus instead of Santa Claus. In order to do that, we must be prepared as well. In my need to learn more about Advent, I had to do a little research, and discovered there are a lot of resources available online. As you prepare to celebrate with your children, there are a variety of activities you can do together to celebrate, such as making an Advent wreath. The wreath, which is typically circular, is believed to represent God’s eternity and endless mercy, without a beginning or end. An Advent wreath consists of greenery with three purple candles and one pink candle, each with a different meaning. The purple candles represent hope, peace, and love, and the pink candle represents joy. You can light a candle with your children each Sunday during Advent.

Another way to celebrate Advent with children is creating an Advent calendar in which each day consists of a different activity that represents Advent. This can include a bible lesson, doing something nice for a neighbor, or allowing the youth to pick their own activity that falls in line with the celebration of Advent.

During the month of December, we tend to get wrapped up in the material aspect of Christmas with our families. This year, take the opportunity to celebrate its true meaning.

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Teaching Our Youth The Meaning of AdventSister Monica Harris

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n the weeks leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election, I struggled to find a genuine interest in the race. My main struggle was in honestly believing America would ever elect a Mormon Millionaire with a partisan view of social structure and a scattered plan for America.

To me, these things seemed to be enough to push President Barack Obama ahead to another term, but my opinion on America’s views was challenged on Election Night.

My family weaved through traffic in anticipation for the grand celebration that was Election Night at The McCormick Place. Among the first 200 guests to arrive, we stood in a line queue, awaiting our chance to proceed into the large hall where the festivities would begin. A crowd of 3000 or more greeted us as we stepped into the hall adorned with American Flags, news cameras, and some of Obama’s favorite songs. Luckily, we arrived just in time to find a place reasonably close to the stage, and a box of pizza to attack the grueling hours of standing we would soon endure.

As more and more people began to pile into “Obama Headquarters,” reports of the electoral colleges began to come in over the two huge overhead projector screens. It appeared as though a lot of the smaller states were going in favor of Mitt Romney. With the knowledge that smaller states don’t amount to great electoral college votes, people still sighed and silenced when Mitt Romney’s face popped up next to yet another red check mark. It appeared to me this could be a close race, and maybe who I thought was the clear winner didn't resonate with some parts of America. I started to get nervous.

After the fingernails were all bitten down,  and Obama began to win more states, the crowd became more relaxed and the faces became brighter. Through all this, the race was still not won because we were still anticipating the results from some of the battleground states. People began to move around, and the variety of ages and colors were great to see. Little sons and daughters falling asleep on their father’s necks, mixed races of people giving high-fives and hugs every time Obama won a state, and

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As Seen Through The Eyes of Young People

Election NightMaster Brandon Jakes

my dad reassuring people that the states Mitt Romney won were insignificant, drawing the attention of 20 people at a time.  

After a while, we began to see Obama was closing in on a victory. Having stood for about four hours, at 11:20 p.m, the cheers, handshakes, hugs, and tears permeated the room as CNN projected Barack Obama to be

President for another term. People began dancing and singing to the music and making Obama chants. Then, we awaited the call of Mitt Romney to concede to President Obama. After about an hour, Romney’s speech was streamed through the screens. People applauded as Mitt Romney agreed to support the President, and it became clearer that politics may seem gritty and grimy when you’re trying to get votes, but in the end, its’s about what's best for the people. After Romney’s speech, the wait for Obama’s acceptance speech began. What seemed like an eternity, actually about an hour, the Obama family took the stage, and the place erupted.

Personal American flags waved throughout the sea of people. The President being in the same room as I, and so many others, seemed surreal. His speech, spoken in such an inspirational manner, was a breath of fresh air from the harsh campaigning of both parties.

I’m grateful my dad, The Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes, allowed my sister and me to share in this

historic moment with the President, my mom, and him. I was happy to see so many different people come together, in a society where race relations is a touchy subject, to show their support for an African American man. I believe it speaks positive volumes for the future of our country.

Election Night cont.

“I’m grateful my dad, The Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes, allowed my sister and me to share in this historic moment with the President, my mom, and him.”

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s we enter into the Holy season, we continue to reflect on our relationship with Christ. We give thanks to God for our family and friends

and the privileges He has afforded us. We are especially thankful for what God has done for the faith family and for the many blessings He has given our Christian family members.

Our spotlight for the last issue of the year is on one of our newer members, Brother Adeyemi Olusegun Faleti, also called Yemi by his family and friends. Brother Yemi united with the faith family over one year ago. He was born into a

Baptist family and is the ninth of 12 children. He was born in the southern part of Nigeria where polygamy is legally practiced. He grew up in a large home where his father had four wives, eight sons, and four daughters. Brother Yemi’s mother was the senior wife. Six brothers and four sisters are presently living in the United States, Britain, and Nigeria. Brother Yemi’s father lived to the ripe age of 138, passing in 1995, and his mom lived until she was 92, passing in 1993. He is thankful for the longevity of his parents and the life they lived and instilled in their children. The family lived together in harmony with the women responsible for all the cooking. Dinner had to be ready by a certain time or his father would

become angry. He recalls that his father was very strong in his beliefs and provided for the entire family. His household consisted of 25-30 people living between two houses with siblings and other family members. The children were responsible for their chores and were required to attend church each Sunday. In fact, each Sunday night, his father would

line up all the children. They would sing and pray, and each child had to recite a scripture and answer questions on the sermon and lessons that were taught in the Sunday service. If they missed service for any reason, they made sure they found out what was taught so they could be

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December Faith Family SpotlightYemi Faleti

Sister Annie Russell

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prepared for the nightly sessions. Brother Yemi received his elementary and high school education in Baptist Schools (Southern Baptist), before moving to the United States to further his education. He attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he received his undergraduate degree in Diplomacy and International Studies. He completed graduate studies at Indiana State University (Terre Haute), in the same field of study. He is currently seeking his MBA at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Yemi was employed at Johnson Products for over thirteen years and at Soft Sheen Products for eight years. He joined L’Oreal Paris through Soft Sheen, relocated to New Jersey, and was employed there from 1997 to 2011. He then moved back to the Chicago area.

Brother Yemi accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Idikan 1st Baptist Church in Nigeria. After moving back to Chicago he visited several churches in the area and believes God led him to West Point. Brother Yemi said he prayed for a church home before returning to Chicago and has no doubt that God has a home for him here. He said, “I am a Baptist for life and no other denomination will satisfy me.” Although he loves gospel music, he especially enjoys the hymns from the Sankey and Baptist Hymnal. His favorite songs are Sweet Hour of Prayer, one he learned from his father, and Never Alone, which

he learned from his aunt who sang in the church choir. He has several favorite scriptures that came from his nightly family prayer where everyone had to recite a Bible passage.

Brother Yemi has two children, daughter Adekemi, and son Oladele, both living in the Chicagoland area. He has one grandson who will be three years old this month.

Brother Yemi says he has been blessed tremendously in all aspects and is grateful to know Christ as his all-in-all. He says it is painful when he thinks of people worldwide who do not have the opportunity to know Christ.

He believes we have a unique and gifted leader in Pastor Jakes and we all have to be part of, and contribute to, reaching those who do not know Christ, and to work the vineyard for our Lord. He personally plans to take advantage of classes that promote spiritual growth. Brother Yemi attends and teaches Sunday School class and is a regular attendee of Wednesday night Bible class. He is a student of the Bible and taught Christian Education classes while in college and Sunday School at his previous church homes. The faith family is excited to welcome Brother Adeyemi “Yemi” as one of our faithful, dedicated members.

December Faith Family SpotlightYemi Faleti cont.

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am so humbled by the opportunity to be one of The Point's newest columnists! Keeping It Legal is a column dedicated to giving knowledge about and insight into our legal system.  As a criminal defense attorney for more than 13 years, the number one complaint I

have received from clients, their families, friends, and everyday people is lawyers talk "over” them rather than to them. In other words, the members of the legal system are oftentimes guilty of using "legalese," legal terms and concepts rarely explained in everyday language, and when these terms are explained, the explanation leaves them with more questions and less understanding about the specifications and technicalities regarding the criminal legal system.  I’ve received several thousand calls by people who are not my clients, but who know I

will explain the ins and outs of the legal system, which leaves both their comprehension and self-respect in tact. This column will engage in "real talk," the talks and discussions that rarely happen because we seldom say when we don't understand something.  The necessity of completely understanding the legal system is of utmost importance.  I feel honored to be your guide, as we navigate through the troubled waters of a turbulent legal system. Lastly, I will also talk about the ills that plague our community, how we are sometimes our own worst enemy, and what we can do to better equip ourselves with both knowledge and proactive intentionality to do better. So, let's begin...

‘Tis the Season to Buy Bootleg…NOT!

"Hey, I got that Denzel, Tyler Perry, and Twilight."

These are the words which greeted me as I sat in the beauty salon on the cusp of the Christmas holiday season.  I didn't have to turn my head to know these words could only come from one source...the bootleg man.  For those who are unclear as to what I mean, let me provide you with Bootlegging 101. The “bootlegger” is the character who comes inside schools, grocery stores, beauty salons, barbershops, and fast food stops with DVD’s of the latest movies, sometimes before the movie is released or even while the movie is currently in theaters.  For the low, low price of $5 (or 3 for $10 depending upon the vendor and the location), one can enjoy the beauty of the cinematic experience from the comfort of his/her own home.  The “high quality” bootleg movie will have few shadows of people walking through the movie and little commentary from those who surrounded the bootlegger recording the movie at the time. The final purchase—the movie--may have a label on the DVD, but most DVD’s are covered in black magic

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Keep it Legal....Natasha Robinson, Esq.

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marker indicating the handwritten title of the movie.  Once the DVD is purchased, the buyer will usually receive the DVD in a white DVD sleeve or the all-purpose black plastic bag.

Most people who have watched and/or purchased bootleg DVD’s see no harm in watching them or buying them.  Others feel it is their obligation to "help the brothas out" by recognizing most bootleggers are unemployed, and this is just another way to put money in their pockets.  After all, everyone needs a hustle, right?  Still others hold to the belief that bootleg "ain't hurting nobody."  What’s the big deal, considering there are more serious crimes that deserve the undivided attention of the police?  These big-time movie actors, producers, and directors got more money than the bank, so who's really being robbed? These and many more justifications are given to me as to why buying and selling bootleg DVD’s should be permitted.  

If you feel there is no harm in watching or buying a bootleg DVD, please repeat after me: “I am the ‘I’ in ‘Illegal’!” In keeping it legal, one must realize bootlegging is a crime, PERIOD.  What we call no big deal, the Illinois General Assembly (the lawmaking body of the State of Illinois) calls a crime.  To summarize Illinois law, a person commits the unlawful use of unidentified sound or audio/visual recordings when he or she knowingly makes, sells, distributes, circulates, performs, or possesses the sound or audio/visual recording without the owner’s permission.  In sum, transferring sound or audio/visual images and recordings to a DVD or CD without the

permission of the owner is illegal and is punishable as a felony. Federal law calls this “piracy.” You’ve seen it. It’s the big notification on the beginning of any movie that has the word WARNING in all red capital letters. Both state and federal law consider this activity a felony. Yes, you heard me right--a FELONY.  It's a felony punishable from felony probation (a permanent conviction that remains on your background), up to and including one to three years in prison.  This does not include the amount of fines that can be assessed, depending upon the number of DVD’s or CD’s in one's possession at the time of arrest. 

This an unspoken trouble! Most people don't think the police will spend their time arresting people who sell bootleg DVD’s and CD’s, especially when some of those officers are the ones buying the DVD’s and CD’s themselves.  If you think these crimes are not prosecuted, let me tell you, this couldn't be further from the truth.  The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has on its website (www.mpaa.org) the latest worldwide campaign containing public service announcements designed to stop piracy from occurring. I've represented clients charged with this offense on many an occasion.   Believe this! The prosecutor’s main witness, a representative of the MPAA, comes to court to testify against the accused to say the accused did not have permission to sell DVD’s or to transfer the movie to a DVD and sell it for a profit.

I bring this up, not to disrespect those who really are trying to make a living in a world that leaves them with very little viable options for employment, but to heighten the visibility of this

Keep it Legal.... cont.

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crime for one reason: we need to stop being the conduits of the unnecessary incarceration of our Black brothers and sisters. (In no way, shape, or form am I suggesting it is just Black people who commit this crime. I will say, however, all the people I’ve represented and seen in court were Black people. Kinda makes you wonder.) It makes no sense to be arrested, fingerprinted, photographed, placed in a cell, taken to court, standing before the judge all for a $5 bootleg movie.  It makes no sense to face felony charges and a possible conviction for a $5 bootleg DVD.  It makes no sense to be kept from a job in which you are qualified all because of a felony conviction for a bootleg DVD.  It makes no sense to have your constitutional right to vote be compromised because of one bootleg DVD.  

If, by chance, your charges are dismissed, or if you are not arrested, or if you stay outside the clutches of the criminal system, is it still worth the risk?  As an old adage states, in sum, the true character of a person is revealed based on what they do when no one is watching.  In essence, if no one was watching what you did, would you still do the right thing?

The bigger issue, my brothers and sisters, is about legality and morality.  It's about knowing our character is shaped by the smallest of

choices and the consistency of our choices.  We may rank our choices as not really hurting anyone, but in actuality, we hurt ourselves and each other.  I am furthering your criminality by refusing to stop buying bootleg merchandise.  Silence, my brothers and sisters, is acquiescence.  Do I suggest you get up on your soapbox and berate those who are breaking the law?  No, but I do know, when I see it happening, depending upon my surroundings and circumstances, I pull the person(s) to the side, identify myself, and have an honest and open dialogue to let them know how they are volunteering themselves into an already overcrowded criminal justice system.  I have no expectation what I say will be followed or adhered to, but at least, having stood as counsel on thousands of criminal cases and represented thousands of clients, if I can in any way, reduce the number of potential occupants of the criminal justice system by one, then I'm doing my best to keep it legal. Doing our best to ensure we provide physical and mental freedom by way of information is one of the best gifts any one of us can give this holiday season.

Keep it Legal.... cont.

couple of weeks ago, I watched Spike TV’s tribute to Eddie Murphy. There were many in the entertainment industry who paid homage to this great comedian and actor. While I was watching it for entertainment purposes, I

also noticed the multimillionaires assembled in one room. Fast forwarding to last week, I was watching the news and there was a clip of Jay-Z and Beyonce, these multimillionaires, enjoying the Nets game, of which Jay-Z is a small owner. On this same evening, a friend

shared a request from a fourth grader who made a Christmas wish list. As I read the list I was highly impressed with the ebb and flow of this fourth grader’s ability to articulate what they wanted in such a mature manner. After being impressed, I was then saddened. The fourth grader did not desire anything astronomical; it was simple at best. All they wanted was a few WWE toys. What saddened me was not the request, but the harsh reality that many of our young African American children could have their simple requests met by those who have the means to make a

substantial difference in a child’s life, but they do not.

I believe God’s Word that says, as I paraphrase, To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). Often times, this saying is used as a means to convince people to give money. However, this not only applies to money; it applies to serving others through the gift of helping with hand and heart. God has given each of us immeasurable gifts to serve God by serving others. The truth of the matter is, many of you who will read this column do

not have mounds of money stockpiling. Well, at least I don’t. However, there is more needed than money when it comes to serving others, particularly our children. As it relates to our young African American children, I strongly believe the moral decline in their lives is due to the corporate lack of African Americans exercising their ability to do their part in uplifting a rapidly declining generation. I have witnessed too many African Americans shake their heads in disbelief, rather than offer their lives as living sacrifices to make substantial differences in a child’s life. This includes the congregation I

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We Have This ResponsibilityRev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes

Doing Your Part!

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“However, there is more needed than money when it comes to serving others, particularly our children.”

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serve. I find myself having to subtlety beg congregants to work in our newly developed after school program—a program designed to assist young African American children in obtaining greatness through academics, attitude, and ambition. The lives of young African American children will not change for the better if the village continues to abandon them. The abandonment takes place when we do not do our part in making life better for these babies.

Earlier I mentioned the gathering of African American multimillionaires, but what I purposefully neglected to state was how I began thinking of the other African American multimillionaires not in attendance. I began thinking of how powerful it would be if they could practice the Ujimaa (collective work and responsibility) principle of Kwanzaa. Can you imagine the lives that would be positively impacted if African American multimillionaires collectively invested in their own people and community? The opportunities would be insurmountable for many young African

American children. This would be their way of doing their collective part, coupled with us “thousand of no-aires” doing our part.

As far as the fourth grader’s request, it will be honored, because my friend has willingly given of their time, talent, and treasures to this Chicago Public School for many years, simply to encourage a young person by showing them the gift of love. They have always elected to do their part. Each of us has a responsibility to do our part, not only at Christmas, but throughout our lives. You would be surprised at how you can change the course of someone’s life by simply doing your little part, whereby you have been empowered by God’s Spirit to perform. This fourth grader’s simple request being honored by my friend may result in this child growing up to satisfy others’ simple requests. Let us all do our part. Shalom.

Doing Your Part! cont.

FAITH FAMILY OF WEST POINT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH3566-72 South Cottage Grove | Chicago, Illinois 60653 www.wpmbc.org | info@wpmbc.org | 773-538-7590 x221

WEDNESDAY IN THE WORD is excited to engage in a new series entitled: Lord, Teach Us To Pray! This series, led by our pastor, is purposed that we, as pastor and people, (a) understand the purpose of prayer whereas we can engage in the practice regularly, (b) know the practical rules of prayer whereas our prayers align with God’s expectations, and (c) identify different types of prayers whereas we can invoke the proper prayer for the proper situation.

The Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes is seeking volunteers to sow seeds of service for our new

Giving God The Best Of Our Service! initiative:

The West Point Safe Haven/Safe Place After School Program.

This initiative is in collaboration with Chicago Public Schools, and operating hours are from 3:30 p.m.—6:30 p.m. The participatory ages are kindergarten—high school seniors. This initiative will begin January 2013. Please see Rev. Shaffer for further information. All volunteers will need to have a background check and be fingerprinted ASAP.

Sis. Kenya Wordlaw, Program Director

December Upcoming EventsDecember Calendar9th: Ministers and Deacon Ordination at 3 p.m. (worship center).

12th: Wednesday In The Word Holiday Social at 7 p.m. (fellowship hall)

15th: Church officers and Lead Servants retreat at 9 a.m. (fellowship hall)

16th: Installation of Church Officers and Lead Servants at 10:45 .a.m. Sunday Morning Glory Worship.

25th: Christmas Day Worship at 10 a.m. (worship center)

30th: Kwanzaa Celebration during 10:45 a.m. worship. Please wear African attire. Great celebratory feast immediately following in the (fellowship hall)

31st: New Year’s Eve Worship at 10 p.m. (worship center)

thefaithfamilyofwestpointbaptistchurch drlbjakes @lbernardjakes