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Everyday Is A Day of Thanksgiving
Submitted by Montez
Rhodes, a very thankful student.
It is good to give thanks to
God. The Mount Carmel Baptist Church School presented a
lovely Thanksgiving Program on Nov. 22, 2009. The people
were truly in the house, including our very own Pastor Rev.
Dr. Albert F. Campbell. Some even call him affectionately,
“Pop Pop”.
The idea to ask Pastor
Campbell to be the guest instructor for the program
originated with Deacon Harry Allen. He is the Intermediate
Department Superintendent and organizing the Thanksgiving
Day Program was his department’s responsibility. On a hot
summer day in August Deacon Harry thought it would be great
to have the Pastor share during the Thanksgiving Day
Program. Still in the embryonic stage, Deacon Harry was
walking by faith in the deep trying to figure out how
Pastor Campbell could be with the Sunday School as well as
preach two services. After much deliberation between Deacon
Kenneth Woodson, our General Superintendent, Deacon Calvin
Austin, Asst. General Superintendent, and Deacon Harry
Allen, it was decided to present a Pre-thanksgiving Day
General Assembly Program and invite our Pastor to be the
guest presenter. It was the second Sunday in October when
Pastor Campbell readily said yes. The planning stage began.
The time for the program would have to start at 8:30 A.M.,
an hour earlier and as it turned out we had one service,
which started at 10:00 A.M. It is indeed good to give thanks
to the Lord and to sing praises to His name.
Everyone was
in his or her seat anticipating our “Celebration of
Thanksgiving.” Jasmine Chaney was the Worship Leader for the
morning. She brought a hearty Good Morning! She represents
her family well, particularly Rev. Stacey.
Jasmine
reminded us that it was indeed a good morning…It was in fact
God’s Morning. Maya Chaney read Psalm 136:1-3 KJV with grace
and poise. The morning prayer was delivered by the Primary
Department. Meva Justice shared with the congregation that
although there are many teachers in the department, however,
this morning Sister Pearl Nelson was indeed in charge of the
Lord’s Prayer which was done in a circle and in unison.
Before the students recited the prayer they shared with the
congregation why they were thankful. Each student had a
heart full of thankfulness. Once Sister Pearl Nelson
realized that everyone had on the same colored shoes she
decided it was time to have a great big group hug. That was
indeed a delightful scene to watch. Master Satchel Smith
represented the Beginners’ Department and brought us the
welcome. He spoke like a Jr. Deacon. The statement of
purpose was given by six students in the Intermediate
Department. Aaron Griffin, Isaac Breese, Keyona Kpou,
Latifah Sanders, Moses Fesshaye and Akeem Cummings spoke
about why they like to celebrate thanksgiving. Each student
had been given the assignment to write a paragraph on the
subject of celebrating thanksgiving. According to their
Superintendent, Harry Allen, they all wrote about something
spiritual. “Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the
glory, the victory, and the majesty …How wonderful it is to
witness our youth growing in their faith.
Andrea
Lindler introduced our guest instructor. Andrea apologized
for not having anything written down. What she did have,
however, was a heart full of appreciation, respect, and
love for her Pastor, whom she affectionately calls “Pop
Pop”. We didn’t think that she needed a script because what
she used was sincere and very meaningful…her heart strings.
Andrea shared that now that her parents have relocated to
Florida she depends on her Pastor to be her friend, and her
Pop Pop. Pastor Campbell, according to Andrea, has always
been very kind toward her and her three children. The entire
family loves him very much.
It was great
having Pastor Campbell with the Church School Family. He
shared with the congregation some of his earliest memories
of his mother teaching him and his siblings about being
thankful and grateful for all circumstances. Pastor
Campbell has a way of meeting us where we are and helping us
to get to where we need to be. Throughout the Psalms, we are
reminded that everyday is a day of thanksgiving. God has
done so much for us individually and collectively so it
would be good to develop a grateful heart. Sometimes we can
become complacent and take too many things for granted.
However, by giving thanks, we will refocus our attention
onto the Lord. As we remember His love and faithfulness
towards us we will establish a habit of thanksgiving. Pastor
Campbell asked members of the congregation to assist him
during the teaching session. He asked for volunteers to read
scripture references relating to thanksgiving that he had
already chosen. We had an opportunity to hear highlights and
the different perspectives on thanksgiving. Thanksgiving
refreshes our souls as we spend time with God,
concentrating on His goodness and grace.
As always our Pastor was
wonderful. Imani Chaney presented Pastor Campbell with a
love token and he was very thankful.
Deacon Clarence Freeman
organized participating deacons to lift the morning
offering and then blessed the fruits of the Church School’s
efforts.
“For you, O Lord have made
us glad by your work; at the works of your hands we sing for
joy.”
The Sunday School Family
reached across the isle and invited members of other
ministries to participate in the gala thanksgiving
celebration. Wayne Wilson, of the Chorus, sang “Everyday Is
A Day of Thanksgiving and the congregation joined him.
Elder Keith Goodman, Choir Director, accompanied him.
General Superintendent,
Deacon Kenneth Woodson, made remarks about the well
thought out program and thanked everyone for coming to the
celebration.
Deacon Harry Allen gave a
special thanks to everyone who helped in making the program
a success.
Special thanks were given to
Bernice Brothers and Gloria Cooper for helping the
Intermediate students with their presentation.
Special thanks to Eileen
Watts for preparing the beautiful programs. Special thanks
to Craig and Judy Powell for providing the delicious
continental breakfast for the children and guests. Special
thanks to the music ministry of Wayne Wilson and Elder Keith
Goodman.
Deacon Calvin A. Austin
blessed the mouth watering meal and closed the morning
fellowship with a prayer of thanksgiving.
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