Ushers' Annual
April 4th, 2010
SAPBC 2010 Usher's Annual was held at 6:30 with Pastor Michael Hartwell’s call to order. Deacon Mike Andrews did the devotion service. Scripture was read by St. Bartley's Associate minister Elder Adrian Jefferson coming from St. Mark 28:1-10. The welcome was by Brother Frank Horton Jr. and occasion by Sister Valerie Edwards. The music service was so graciously done by St. Bartley's brotherhood choir singing songs of praise and worship such as "I'll go if I have to go by myself," "On the battlefield for my Lord," and "When the gates swing open, I will walk in."
After several uplifting songs, Pastor Hartwell introduced to the congregation the speaker of the hour. He expressed how greatful he was of the seeds that Elder Burt had planted to make his work a lot easier and that he was more than happy to share the pulpit with the previous pastor of SAPBC.
The word of God came from Elder Benjamin Burt, Associate minister of St. Bartley P.B. Church. Text was " It's something special about this place" coming from Psalms 84:10. He talked about, For a day in thy courts, is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tent of wickedness. He shared with us that some people no matter how much they learn and assemble themselves in Christ they still throw stones at people, they are still doing wicked things to others, with that thought he expressed that some were as close as they were going to get to Heaven. He shared with us to be somebody in the house of the Lord, if not number 3, be a number 2, if not a number 2 be a number 1, as long as you are doing something for the Lord. This is a good place to train your children. The Church is a Holy Place. In this place you can find Hope, Help, Fellowship, Companionship, Joy, Love, and Worship. God’s people ought to love God’s Church. Whenever David could get to the house of the Lord he was glad. When I can get to this place... Thank God I made it to this place, to God’s House. This is the only place where the invitation is extended to “Come as you are”. There is something special about this place.
Sister Vera Harris acknowledged and recognized the SAPBC Usher Board members as well as all guest Churches that came out to share in this spiritual filled program. Brother Tommy Madden, the Ushers Union President expressed to all about It takes one to know one. It takes a special person to be an usher, just because one wear the badge and uniform does not make them an usher. You will not get your reward down here but God holds the reward for his door keepers. Pastor Hartwell opened up the doors of the Church. Elder Burt stated that he was greatful for being invited to render the services on the Ushers annual. He acknowledged Elder Lawrence Childress, whom is the oldest elder in the Indian Creek Association and Chief Evangelist. Elder Childress made remarks on where the church started, which he made known that St. Bartley is the mother church and that we hold great respect for that. Elder Childress did the benediction. President of SAPBC Usher Board is Sis. Lorna Rice, Vice President is Sis. Minnie Coleman.
Cathy LaVaughn Horton