It is hard to imagine that this is the last worship service for Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church at 3737 North Sherman Boulevard. Indeed, the mood is bitter – sweet. Many are seeking to strike a meaningful balance between the memories and moments of the past with the excitement and expectations of the future.
The memories and moments of the past are reflected in Christmas and Easter speeches, Sunday School Promotion days, anniversaries and annual days, choir solos, church dinners and picnics, sermons, Bible studies, joys, laughter and tears.
The excitement and expectations of the future are reflected in a fresh start, unrealized opportunities, unanticipated possibilities, unexperienced hopes and dreams, imagined joys, laughter and tears.
There is so much that we have to look forward to because we have a rich history out of which we have come.
Many of us can now imagine what it was like for those who transitioned from 9th and Brown to 8th and Wright. As well, we can imagine what it was like for those who transitioned from 8th and Wright to Sherman and Roosevelt. As we imagine, we honor their faith and trust; we honor their commitment and dedication; we honor their vision and foresight. We stand here today because we stand on their shoulders, built upon their faith, sharing in their sacrifice.
We transition today because they taught us how to transition. Our legacy is grounded in God moving us on to greater and greater blessings. In fact, it is safe to say that those who have gone before us never anticipated us remaining where they brought us. After all, they never remained where those who went before them brought them.
Therefore, just as Joshua and the Children of Israel stood on this side of their Jordan River, celebrating and rejoicing as they looked across to the blessing that God had promised them , we stand on this side of our “Jordan River”, celebrating and rejoicing as we look across Sherman Boulevard to the blessing that God has promised us on 38th Street.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
8:30 a.m.Praise and Prayer
9:00 a.m.March from Sherman Boulevard to 38th Street 10:00 a.m. Worship Service
Fellowship after Worship Service
Note: This will be a casual Sunday – to be comfortable for the walk
