“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence, summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance, autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence, winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” - Yoko Ono
‘This is the day the Lord has made’
I was raised to believe that if you didn’t go to church on Sunday, you didn’t do anything else that day--- no movies, parties or playing outside--- you just sat on the porch. My spiritual and religious beliefs are deep but private, but “had it not been for the Lord on my side…” I truly believe, “in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path.”- Proverbs 3:6
‘Give me that old time religion’
I invited family and friends to worship with me “Come Sunday.” I knew it wasn’t going to be an ordinary Sunday because Saturday night I couldn’t sleep. I was “tossing and turning,” anxious to give God the first Sunday of my sixth decade. Worshipping at New Psalmist with my family and friends was included in my month-long celebration.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.” - Philippians 4:4
‘Every time I feel the spirit’
Surrounded by family and friends, I felt the spirit rejoicing Sunday morning at New Psalmist Baptist Church and I started to “get lifted.” I was sitting with my son Keith and friends Michele Emery, Marsha Jews and Chantay Hunter. We enjoyed “the peace of God, which passes all understanding.” When we saw the title of the sermon we looked at each other and laughed.
Sunday’s message was “bringing sexy back.” This powerful sermon from Kings 11:1-11 was delivered in the way that only Walter Thomas can deliver. You’ve got to get the tape. Visit www.newpsalmist.org.
"The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post." - Thomas Holcroft
‘Are you talking to me?’
His message was about living your life at the point you are now and not how it used to be, what you used to be or what you used to have; “Can I get a witness?” When he opened the doors of the church the young people starting going “to the left, to the right” coming to the front of the church one by one. The congregation erupted, not believing what they were witnessing as more than 40 young folks called the devil a liar and joined church that morning. “Said I wasn’t gonna tell nobody; but couldn’t keep it to myself.” I experienced every emotion from the moment I walked in the door--- crying, laughing, shouting--- but the jubilation that overcame me when those young people walked to the front of the church “lifted me higher.”
“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them.” -Matthew 18:2
Witnessing the young people actively involved in the church, singing in the choir and the young ushers under the tutelage of Patrick Johnson was a living testimony to how the young can serve in the church.
‘Down the aisle’
As twilight settled, painting a breathtaking picture of Baltimore along the water’s edge, Verlera Cofield was radiant as she exchanged wedding vows with Dudley Lee on the deck of The Baltimore Rowing Club which overlooks the Patapsco River. When the pastor pronounced them husband and wife, they were encircled with beautiful bubbles drifting through the summer breeze. The unique topping on the wedding cake of the groom trying to run and the bride chasing him was a great conversation piece.
‘Celebration time, come on’
Birthday wishes to Liston George, my sister Karen Chase, Jeanne Jones and Matt Brown. Happy 16th birthday to my grandson, Eagle Scout Gregory Warren Packer Jr. of Fairfax Station, Va. Grandmom loves you.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
‘Somebody prayed for me’
The SSA family started prayer circles for Officer Aaron Harris as he continues to recover. Aaron is the son of coworker June Lawson.
‘It’s me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer’
Douglass High School Class of ‘57 is mourning the death of Norvice Goodwin Penny, mother of Aaron “Butch” Jenkins. Prayers go out to Juanita Jackson on the death of her husband Dr. French Jackson.
‘A star is born’
Baltimorean Breshae Webb is the co-star of “Love that Girl." Breshae’s parents are Garfield and Shay Webb. Many recognize Breshae, a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, as Dr. Laverne St. John on the TV show “ER.”
‘I’m every woman’
The Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women held their Torchbearer Awards Breakfast “Celebrating 20 Years of Bold Leadership, Strong Advocacy & Progressive Vision” with guest speaker Sherrilyn Ifill. The recipients of the Torchbearer Award were Darin Atwater, founder of “Soulful Symphony,” Dr Willarda V. Edwards, president of the National Medical Association and C. Virginia Fields, president of National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. Laura Morris Knight is the president of the Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter and Michele Emery is the immediate past president.
“The day is of infinite length for him who knows how to appreciate and use it.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“I’ll be there.”
Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
A luta continua