By Delanda Johnson/Special to HCN
This weekend for the Tyler District of the A. M. E. Church was filled with celebrations. The Tyler District of the A. M. E. Church consist of 30 churches across Texas; which includes Athens, Larue/Moore Station, and Malakoff.
The first celebration was on Saturday, August 25th; at Ebenezer A. M. E. Church in Tyler, Tx., for the Anniversary of Presiding Elder Rev. Mittie C. Muse, Sr. and First Lady Sis. Mavis Muse.
The service was called to order by Rev. Darrell Caldwell, Sr. from Bethel A. M. E. Church located in Dallas, Texas; with the Praise Team singing songs to glorify the Lord.
Pastors, Laypersons, Missionaries, YPDs, and many others came to help give Encouragement and Praise to Presiding Elder Muse and Sis. Muse.
Sis. Beverly Nutall from Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church in Bryan, Tx., stated, “We are here to empower you, to give thanks to you and to let you know just how much we all care for you and Sis. Muse. Presiding Elder Muse is a man of very few words, however, he is also a man who means what he says. He is willing to help you any way that he can and Sis. Muse is a woman with a caring heart. If there is anything that she can do to help you, she will. We Love You Both.”
The speaker for the evening Rev. Kennen Jackson, Pastor of Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church in Bryan, Tx., delivered a powerful message. Coming from 1 Peter 5:1-4 gave the title of his message, “It’s Visible.”
Rev. Jackson stated that leadership skills are not for everyone. That takes a certain type of person to become a good leader. But the most important thing is that we must lift up the man and woman of God; for if you do this GOD will be good to you.
“Jesus give warning and teaching; whereas; some people take humbleness for weakness. Show that you care about your flock; know that you must be humble; as Jesus knows how things will all work out. There will be times when you want to act up; step back; take nap and refresh yourself; knowing that you must trust in the LORD; for HE has and will work everything out. Presiding Elder Mittie C. Muse, Sr., is this person; one who get upset. In all of your works know that “Its Visible” for God has great things waiting just for you,” said Rev. Jackson.
P. E. Rev. Mittie C. Muse, Sr. and Sis. Mavis Muse stated to the members, family, and friends of the Tyler District, “We are happy to have you as our District. We are a team who works together and we will continue to work as a team, to put GOD First, and help each other and others when it is needed.”
GO TEAM TYLER DISTRICT!!!
The next big celebration came on Sunday, August 26th at Johnson Chapel A. M. E. Church in Malakoff, Texas.
Johnson Chapel A. M. E. Church celebrated its 121st Church Anniversary; with the service called to order by Evangelist Alma J. Berry.
The program moved forward with songs and reflections of Johnson Chapel.
Evangelist Berry reflected on her times at Johnson Chapel and how the members kept the faith even after the church burned down in 1969 and re-built to the current new building that stands today.
The program moved forward with a powerful sermon from Rev. Judge Bill Burton, Pastor of Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church in Athens, Texas.
The text coming from Psalms 122:1-9; “A Homecoming” approached this celebration from a different angle.
Rev. Burton stated, “We can’t think about Homecoming without think about our trials and tribulations. If you look at today’s society, there are problems in families, things that have existed way back in the old days that are continuing in the present. We are afraid to come home in fear of not doing the right thing or not being in the right place at the right time. We should be able to help a person who really needs it at any time.”
“We as a people of the 21st century have lost all of our morals and have not regard for God’s law. We are worried about shadows…for shadows can’t kill you, can’t hurt you, etc., we must focus on the LORD. We need to know the joy of Homecoming. Just know that the Joy you have the world did not give it and the world can’t take it away. We have preachers who are broken; Missionaries, Evangelist, and others ministering to those who are lost; but to all who know Jesus; He died for all of our sins. Know that you can have a great Homecoming celebration; pray without ceasing. Pray in and out of season; Pray when things are good and when things go bad. Know that God is always there for you; all you need to do is PRAY and GO HOME,” said Rev. Burton.
