St. John Celebrates Family and Friends Day in Community Service and Worship

Contributing Writer, Dr. Bridget J. Floyd, St. John AME Church, Huntsville, AL, 9^th Episcopal District

St. John A.M.E. Church, Huntsville, AL, celebrated Family and Friends Day on Sunday, August 20, 2023, during the 10 a.m. worship service.  The preacher for the day was the Reverend Dr. Gregory Vaughn Eason, Sr., pastor of Flipper Temple A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, GA.  Dr. Eason graduated from Morris Brown College, Magna Cum Laude.  He received the Master of Divinity degree from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA.  He received the Master of Theology degree from Columbia Theological Seminary.  Dr. Eason has served in many A.M. E. Connectional positions over the years and received numerous honors.  St. John was pleased and honored to welcome Dr. Eason, who aspires to continue to serve the A.M.E. Church, should he be elected to the position of bishop.  Pastor Maurice Wright, II was the worship leader for the service and introduced his friend and mentor.

A special treat for this service was “The Reunion Choir” which consisted of current as well as previous choir members, under the direction of Mr. Reginald Pearson and former Gospel Choir Director, Mr. Cleveland Wilson.  The Children’s Choir, directed by Mrs. Jamela Bradford, received a warm response as they proclaimed that Jesus has the whole world in His hands, with demonstrative animation.  The Reverend Dr. Janette Kotey, retired minister of music of First Missionary Baptist Church, Huntsville, sang a medley of songs with the focus on the name of Jesus, which she labelled as her Jesus medley.  The congregation responded to this truly inspiring offering from the guest soloist.  The singers, musicians, and directors brought a special level of worship through music.

The service began with welcome and announcements from Dr. Pam Whitehead, song of praise by the Reunion Choir and Praise Dancers; followed by the Doxology, call to worship by the Reverend Heloise Wilson, hymn of praise, and prayer by Presiding Elder (Ret.) Oliver Allen. The Children’s Choir sang and scripture, Psalm 91:1-8, was read by the Reverend Roberta McCoy.  After a medley by Dr. Kotey, guest soloist, Pastor Wright introduced the preacher, Dr. Eason.

Dr. Eason spoke on the topic, “Let’s Go Home” from the scriptural text Luke 15:1-2; 20-24, the familiar story of the prodigal son.  He used the familiar phrase, “There’s no place like home”, including the spiritual home where one can hear the Word of God and experience spiritual nurturance and security. He noted that home provides Bold Refuge, and that God’s House is a place of Grace.  He stated that “grace seeks us” and highlighted from the text that when the young man came to himself, he thought of home.  He noted that “when we have messed up, we can come home to the church where there is refuge and grace … There is joy, peace, rest, salvation, in God’s House”.  He indicated that the only response to this refuge and grace is Celebration.  It is important to thank God for this great opportunity to “come on home” to God’s House.  The congregation and guests responded with enthusiasm.

The blessing of individuals accepting the invitation to Christian discipleship was celebrated by St. John.  Dr. Eason brought a powerful message to St. John on this Family and Friends Day.  This was another highlight of the Family and Friends Weekend which began with a special worship service and meal for senior members on Thursday afternoon.  Ministries engaged in service projects throughout the weekend and a church picnic was enjoyed.  Ms. Jakeyah “Shay” Williams coordinated Family and Friends Weekend activities and was also awarded the prize for the baking contest.  Her award-winning banana pudding received rave reviews.  The blessing of an inspirational service was followed by a congregational photo and lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Great appreciation is expressed to Dr. Gregory Eason, Sr., and Mrs. Linda Tyson Eason for gracing St. John with their presence and making this Family and Friends celebration one to remember.

St. John AME Church Celebrates Family and Friends Weekend 2023

With Community Service and Worship