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Front Page
FYI
Sunrise Service will commence at 6:30am on Easter Sunday, April 15th in the Sanctuary.
The Beulah Hinton Missionary Society "Night In White" will take place on Sunday, April 22 at 5pm. Please contact Sis. Constance Gold for more info. |
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| Gone, But Never Forgotten
On Saturday, March 24th, the Remembrance Day Prayer Breakfast kicked off the festivities by paying homage to the beloved families of this year's honorees, who were: Katie and James Johnson, Tommie Johnson, Sr., Barcelona Livingston, Betty Williams Moody, and Annie S. Wilson. While happily feasting on smoke sausages, bacon and eggs, (graciously prepared in our kitchen by Bros. Oscar Lightfoot and Jerome Fitz) as well as Mother Fitz's legendary grits, fruit, juices, and coffee donated by others, the attendees received words of encouragement and inspiration delivered by Sis. Jennifer Donald (granddaughter of honoree Tommie Johnson, Sr.) during a service presided over by our very own Sis. Sylvia Livingston, daughter of honoree Barcelona Livingston. Reading from the Book of Ruth, Sis. Donald truly inspired those gathered. Other surviving family members in attendance included Sylvia's sister and niece Anne and Michelle Collins with friends; Bro. and Sis. Marion Johnson (Sis. Donald's parents), who proudly watched over their infant granddaughter Destiny while mother spoke; and, blessedly, Bro. Harry Moody, Jr., the surviving husband of honoree Betty Williams Moody. The breakfast, which was lovingly coordinated by Sis. Ruth Armstrong, was truly a treat and certainly helped prepare all hearts and minds for the next day's events.
On Sunday, March 25th members of the surviving families once again joined with the congregation for a wonderful worship service adroitly presided over by Sis. Julie Catledge. Opening with a heartfelt rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria (English Version) vocalized by Sis. Gwendolyn Peters, the service was unique and quite moving. At the invitation of our music director Bro. Fitz, the 60-member plus FAMU Concert Choir blessed us with their presence and delivered three selections (one led by our very own Bro. Charles "Mr. FAMU" Lattimore, himself ) that truly added the perfect inspirational musical ambiance for the occasion. During the Candle Lighting Ceremony (performed at a specially prepared alter by Acolytes Carl Hall, Jr. and Dionna Willis), Shenezia Rivers, Jesse Cumbie, Jerome Fitz, China Evans, Leona Gordon, and Beulah Gregory each in turn gave reflections on the lives and deeds of our honorees, with some breaking out in song. As each left the podium, one candle was lit in tribute to the respective honoree. Thereafter, Sis. Laura Adams recited names, submitted by members of the congregation, of loved ones whom had recently passed and the last symbolic candle (seven in all) was lit followed by the 'Prayer of the Deceased' specially penned by Pastor Bell himself. We were all then blessed by a meaningful message delivered by our Presiding Elder, Rev. Ralph L. Wilson. The Elder expounded on the implied intent of the occasion; without the sacrifices made by our honorees and all those dedicated saints who came before and are now no longer among us, Flipper would not be the great and humble church it is today. In recognition of our appreciation for their continued support and attendance, Sis. Gussie Bruce presented framed certificates to representatives of the honorees' families, as well as one to the director of the choir, and a framed portrait of the Elder (sketched by Bro. Greg Catledge) to Rev. Wilson. Following the service, a multitude of parishioners (swelled by the ranks of the Concert Choir) journeyed downstairs for a delicious and filling repast prepared by the members of the Remembrance Day Kitchen Committee coordinated by Sis. Adams.
In his closing remarks, Bro. Mike Catledge, our editor and the Remembrance Day Committee chair, expressed his considerable appreciation to all of the program participants, Elder Wilson, Pastor Bell, fellow committee members, the officers and members of Flipper Chapel, and the surviving beloved of this year's honorees for their continual support. It was truly a blessing to witness this first observance of Remembrance Day come to fruition in the humble spirit in which is was conceived.
Please go to the Remembrance Day Photo Galleries page to view images taken during this year's event!
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| The Lord's Work Continues!
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"We Loved Them Dearly, God Loved Them Best"...that was the very appropriate theme of Flipper Chapel's first annual Remembrance Day Observance. Held during the weekend of March 24-25, 2001, the occasion was sponsored by Praise and carefully orchestrated by the dedicated members of the Remembrance Day 2001 Committee. And, indeed, this year's inaugural observance was truly an event to remember!
This month the Fellowship Day 2001 Steering Committee is busy planning, meeting, and organizing to make certain our upcoming and highly anticipated Fellowship Day Weekend, scheduled for May 18-20, will be most memorable, indeed! This year the committee has a few surprisies in store to coincide with the new focus of the event's fundraising scheme. With the church's mortgage now fully paid (and duly burned!), the original intent of Fellowship Day has dissipated. However, the work of the Lord is not done! As has been oft-said by Pastor Bell and others, the congregation still needs to continue diverting monies to the Building Fund. This is vital for the necessary improvements to the surrounding church property, the upscaling and renovation of the church's fragile infrastructure and any future expansion projects that might surface. Thus, as is custom, as part of the Fellowship Day experiance adult members are asked to make contributions to this year's Building Fund Drive in the form of a \$100.00 donation. College students and youths are asked to donate $50.00 and $10 dollars repectively. For more information regarding the exciting things the Steering Committee has in store for this year's observance, please see Sis. Laura Adams, Sis. Juanita Patterson, or Bro. Mike Catledge. Your assitance and support will be greatly appreciated.