Rev. Charles A. Taylor
We are pleased once more to have Rev. Charles A. Taylor celebrate the Eucharistic service with us. While studying Psychology at Peabody University during the 1950's Rev. Charles told of a young African American minister who also was a fellow student. This young minister was also President of the local NAACP. During conversation he found that this young man was a visionary and it was his goal to bring harmony and peace among the races as well as eradicate prejudice within ten years.
Many strides have been made toward this young man's goal but last week's election of Barack Obama as President of the U.S. was a pinnacle moment. The composite unity of many toward peace and understanding for all was verified through the outward signs of love and joy after the election announcement. Many who were wounded by societal and political ills expressed their healing through their vote.
As well there are those left out of this joy due to prejudice, anger and fear. They refuse to accept this accomplishment. They continue to remain embittered grounded by hatred and animosity. As in the parable of the ten virgins and their oil lamps. Five were wise and five were foolish. The five wise virgins traveled with extra oil for their lamps so that they would be ready when the bridegroom called.
They all slept. When the bridegroom (God) called ,the five wise virgins awoke with their lamps filled and were ready to join the bridgroom. The five foolish virgins failed to fill their lamps and wanted the other five to share. They were not ready and so were left behind.
There are those who are ready to embrace this historical moment and see it as an opportunity to heal old wounds. God has given us a glimpse of his kingdom.
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SCRIPTURES
First Reading: Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46
Ellarine Stroud reads the scriptures
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George Ladd, Cecil Washington, Mary Goldman and
Sarah Goldman take Offering and Communion
instruments to the altar.
The closing hymn at today's service was Lift Every Voice and Sing, known as the Negro NationalAnthem. Anthem lyrics were written by James Weldon Johnsonand music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson. In true tradition the congregation stood to their feet to sing this stirring hymn. What could be more appropriate during this historical landmark in time?
I
Lift every voice and sing,
'Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is won.
II
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast'ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
III
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ Next Sunday, November 16th there will be a Chili Cook Off. More participants are needed.During this time diners will view the documentary, Traces of the Trade. There will prizes for all entries and special prizes for first, second and third place. Bertha Smith is donating all prizes and she says they are “worthwhile.”
+You are reminded to give generously to UTO. It is one of the ways of saying thank you for all that God has done.
+Deacon Carolyn is participating in a seasonal effort in her community and asks for your help. If you have empty, plastic, gallon sized, water, tea or milk jugs to spare, please bring them to church next Sunday. She has 11 and thanks those who have given her these. She needs 37 more so keep them coming. See Deacon Carolyn for additional details.+ A follow-up oral invitation was extended to the congregation by Olivia Washington to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of her grand opening at Flint Ridge. The ceremony takes place this coming Saturday, at 12:00 noon in the Flint Ridge Centre. Olivia has made great strides in the Mary Kay cosmetic business.
+ Giving flowers for the altar is a wonderful way to honor, remember and celebrate special people and events in our lives. Please consider placing flowers on the altar for one Sunday this year. The sign up calendar is located on the bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall.
FUNNIES FUNNIES FUNNIES FUNNIES
- There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. 'Is there anything breakable in here?' asked the postal clerk. 'Only the Ten Commandments.' answered the lady. ************
- A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city. He was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: 'I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment Forgive us our trespasses.' When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note 'I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.'
DON'T FORGET OUR VETERANS
Veteran's Day November 11th
