Wednesday, September 4, 2002
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Wednesday, September 4, 2002 |
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Come remember with us ... By JOHN HATCHER Let me use this opportunity to invite you to observe September 11 as six churches unite in one great service of reflection and worship. The theme of the event will be "There's Hope in Christ." The 7:30 p.m. service will be held at River's Edge Community Church at 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive in Fayetteville. Pastor Eddie Thomas of Edgefield Baptist Church was the one who coined the theme as he asked, "What do we want to accomplish in this service?" The other five ministers considered his question and affirmed that in light of 9/11, we wanted to proclaim that the only hope we have in an insecure world is Jesus Christ. He is our sure and only hope. No amount of military presence can offer the kind of security that comes by Christ. Pastor Thomas and Pastor Dean Phelps of Community Christian Church will preside at The Lord's Supper Table, inviting all who embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord to come to the Table and eat of the bread and the cup. Pastor Jim Willis of North Fayette Baptist Church will bring the message of the evening service. Dr. Willis is the founding pastor of his church and has been instrumental in bringing pastors of different persuasions together. Folks will be welcomed by The Reverend Mamie Harris, pastor of Griffin's New Generation Christian Fellowship Church. Pastor Harris led in the founding of the Griffin church. Pastor Richard Green of New Covenant Metropolitan Church of Ellenwood will lead the congregation in singing two great hymns: "America the Beautiful" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The mighty adult choir of Edgefield Baptist Church will be the choir of the evening. Local recording artist, Taj Artis, will also sing. As part of the service, two ministers will read excerpts from Dr. Billy Graham's message delivered at the National Cathedral on September 14, 2001. This unity service has emerged from relationships formed by the six pastors involved. Weekly we meet as an accountability group. At times we sit and lament with one of our number. Other times, we sit and rejoice and laugh to high heaven. At times we just sit and know that we care for one another. Of course, we pray for one another and the loads that we carry. As we faced the anniversary of September 11, it was only natural that we bring our families together to worship, pray, praise, and express our hope in Jesus Christ. That's what good friends to, isn't it? They want their families to meet each other. So that's what we are doing. Any pastor who would like to bring his or her family is invited. Our fellowship is inclusive as long as you worship Jesus Christ as the only son of the living God, Messiah, God Incarnate, the first and the last, king of kings and lord of lords. The Rev.
Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of |
