Midweek Message

African American History Month

Carolyn Matthews

January 29, 2021

Uniting through Love and Justice: Reclaiming Our History

Psalm 33:5The Lord loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of his unfailing love.
John 15:12This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
       Carter G. Woodson, Historian, Author, Journalist, Father of Black History

“Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment. That is why the schools charged with the education of African Americans have, perhaps, the greatest, the deepest challenge of all.”
      Barbara Jordan, Lawyer and US Congressperson

February is on the horizon and that means LABC’s recognition and celebration of African American History Month.  We take this time each year because there are still too many untold stories and exclusions from the history of the United States. In years past we have said that Black History is American history. The inventions and accomplishments of African Americans did not take place separately – the longer lasting filament for the light bulb, sugar processing, refrigerated trucks, exploration guides, and human “calculators” – all helped advance not only American society but human society.  So this year, when we talk about “reclaiming our history,” we mean all of American history too.

Soul Food Dinner
Yes, there will be a soul food dinner. It will be different this year since it will take place via ZOOM.  There will be a program featuring our children and youth and a time to share recipes with one another.

Forums
The forums will take place at 2:00 pm via the church ZOOM link
February 7 – Discussion of the book, Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson, led by Declan Brown
February 14 – What about the COVID-19 Vaccine? Led by Dr. Jocelyn Freeman Garrick
February 21 – Jeffrey Robinson video discussion, led by George Harper

We are preparing a brochure with all the events scheduled for the month. Please join us for a month of song, learning, celebration, and worship.

Upcoming Meetings (via LABC ZOOM link)

Saturday
9:00 AM – LABC Reads (Down the River unto the Sea, Walter Mosley)
10:00 AM – Time for Prayer (Psalm 46)

Sunday
10:00 AM – Worship
11:30 AM – Annual Meeting

Monday
7:00 PM – Youth Gathering

Tuesday
6:00 PM – No Soup, but Study

Wednesday
10:30 AM – Prayer and Bible Study

Thursday
6:00 PM – Together in Spirit (bible study)