WATCH NIGHT SERVICE

You're invited to celebrate "Freedom's Eve" with us Friday, December 31, 2010 10:00 PM Come celebrate Christ with us in our annual "Watch  Night Worship Services as we pray the Old Year out and ask for God's continued blessings for the New Year 2011. Mercy Seat MB Church 4424 Rev. James Brown Sr. Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108 314-531-3759 Mrs. Carole Brown   Watch Night Service Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year's Eve. The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. To 10 p.m. And ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year. Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event. Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro centric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church. Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs. In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year's Eve. However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations. The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free . When  the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year. It's been 145 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we got over." PS- Pass this information on so we can educate more of our Family and Friends about our History!

New Year's Day Open House at Emerson Family YMCA

Great opportunity for those of you with children/grandchildren.  Please see information at this link.  You will need to contact Emerson directly.

Happy New Year,

Linda

Christmas Wishes from the National Baptist Laymen!

National Baptist Laymen   ! NEWS FLASH !

For Immediate Release Contact: Thad Jones National Baptist Laymen's Movement Type caption text here.                                                                                            Harold Simmons         Thad Jones                                                                                            President                General Secretary The News Flash is designed to inform members, friends and supporters of late breaking news and events regarding the organization and the men and women who drive the movement.   Thad Jones is the publisher. tskm@swbell.net Add any trademarks here

2011 St. Louis Memorial Juneteenth Jazz & Arts Festival

 

“June is Black Music Month!”

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH JAZZ

“Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!”

2^nd Annual

St. Louis Memorial Juneteenth Jazz

& Arts Festival

A family orientated event sponsored by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF), Juneteenth America, Inc. (JAI) & the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP)

“A Juneteenth tribute to the St. Louis

Jazz Legacy of John Hicks & Grant Green”

featuring

National Juneteenth Jazz Artist:

Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Piano & Trumpet

and the

“Juneteenth Jazz Praise Ensemble”

with special guest artist

Wilton Knott, Congas & Percussion

 

London Branch, Bass     Eddy Dunn, Congas & Percussion

Earlton Batles Manley, Congas & Percussion       Noah Jelks, Drums

& other Missouri jazz legacy musicians!

Aye Aton Art Exhibit Opening - 6:00pm    Concert - 7:00pm

Monday, June 27, 2011

Hope of Glory Christian Assembly - Parking Lot

4001 Cottage Ave.       St. Louis, MO 

Free Admission! DONATIONS APPRECIATED! Suggested ticket donation - $10.00!

For inquires call Rev. Gwynn 314-218-0244  Dr. Myers 662-247-3364 

e-mail: JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com

www.JazzMissouri.com  www.JuneteenthJazz.com

Christmas Greetings from our Laymen President

                                                                

He Still Is Found By Those Who Seek Him…..

Luke 2: 8-17

It’s His Birthday, Give Him A Present Worthy of His Appreciation, Present His Plan of Salvation and Save A Soul.

Have A Blessed Christmas

&

Happy New Year

Delester & Betty Jefferson And Family

Feeding the Needy Christmas Morning!

Good Morning  All,

To support those who need support, all who can are invited to support the Feeding of the Homeless (Riverfront Tent-City) on Christmas Morning.  We will leave from the Shell Gas Station on Tucker at 5:30 a.m.  All who will be attending are asked to bring comforters/bedspreads (gently used) or warm socks and a humble spirits.  If you have any questions please contact Sis. LaTonya Buggs (314) 574-7618 or Sis. Sylvia Toney (314) 456-8927

Walking in RHOyalty,

Sylvia Ross-Toney
SigmaLady2008@Yahoo.Com
Direct: (314) 456-8927

Walking in RHOyalty,

Sylvia Ross-Toney
SigmaLady2008@Yahoo.Com
Direct: (314) 456-8927

Prayer Requests–Intercessory Prayer

Brethren,  The prayer request area of the State Convention Website is up and fully functional. It will even allow you to “subscribe” to a “Prayer Chain”. What that means is that if you enter your email address, whenever a request is APPROVED, you will get a copy of it.

Might I suggest that we keep each other informed of local members in need of prayer on the site? It might also make sense to either subscribe to the Prayer Chain or check the site just before any district Prayer Meetings and remember those in need of prayer.

I will get an email each time a request is submitted and will approve the requests as soon as possible. Let’s face it, people have always abused stuff and today is no different. There is a language filter but who knows what might slip through without eyes on before posting.