The Ninety-third Church Anniversary of Memorial Tabernacle Church commenced this past weekend Saturday, September 15 with a Salad Festival in our beautiful fellowship hall. Friends, Family, and our Faith Partners joined us in an evening of good music, fellowship, and good food made and prepared by the members of the Memorial Tabernacle Church Family.
Miss Nuvia Alvarez (Generation Z) opened the evening with a welcome and introduction to the evening’s events. This talented and gifted young lady also leads our YGG (Youth Going Green) Outreach Ministry and is an inspiration to young people everywhere. Elder Mrs. Jeanette Wortz shared with us concerning knowing our gifts and being comfortable with who we are in Christ. She spoke about the importance of diversity in the church and allowing people to use their gifts. “A mixed salad is only as good as the ingredients added inside of the bowl,” she said. “God loves variety.”
Thank you also to everyone who participated in the raffle! The winners know who they are!
There were many surprises during our Sunday Morning Glory Service. Special guests included: Rev. Bill Beatty, retired College Presbyterian Church; Bishop A. Edward Bell; Pastor King’s sisters, Alice Williams & Connie DeCoud, his niece and nephew; and special surprised guests, Presiding Bishop Craig E. and Mrs. Debbie Brown of the Christ Holy Sanctified Churches of America, Inc. from Los Angeles stopped by. This was an exciting and emotional time for me.
Bishop Brown encouraged and challenged us to “Stand Firm and Carry On!” (Isaiah 36:1-6; 37:14-15). He called us to remember: “Don’t let the cares of this life keep you from going to the house of God to hear a word from the servant of God. Don’t let your circumstances keep you from praying to God and receiving a Rhema word from the Lord.”
“We have all faced times in our lives when the enemy appears to have the upper hand,” he said. “And though Satan is stronger than we are, wiser than we are, and has more resources than we do, he is not stronger, wiser, nor does he have more resources than God. And because we have God’s Spirit and we trust in Him, “…because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1Jn 4:4),” we are victorious! We WIN!
In Bishop’s closing and inspirational remarks, said, “Regardless of our circumstances, regardless of the so-called odds that are against us, God is looking for those who will allow Him to destroy the enemy. God is looking for those who will stand firm and carry on. That means, “When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord raises a standard against him.” That also means, “no weapon formed against you will prosper. And even in the face of apparent failure, “Is anything too hard for the Lord.”
To God be the glory! What a glorious and blessed day of celebration! We are the “generations” who will stand firm and carry on with the help of the Lord and God on our side!—USK
