February 2, 2016
In February of 1989, when the Hopkins family first visited LABC (I was the candidate to become your pastor) African American History month was in full swing. I remember thinking, “I trust that I will be voted in. I would really like to be part of this celebration.” Now, twenty-seven years later, I look back on all the celebrations of African-American History Month that we have shared with with great fondness. I have learned much, grown some and maybe even contributed a little here and there.
This year our theme is “The Quest for Liberation.” Our text is Jeremiah 7: 5-7. The text begins “For if you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly act justly one with another…” Central to Jeremiah’s plea to the people is the understanding that liberation comes when we align ourselves and when we align the structures of society, with the ways of God. It is a plea that has relevance in every time and every place. It is a plea that has relevance in the recesses of our minds as well as in the most prominent of public places. I look forward to our consideration of this text and of this theme.
This Sunday, as we observe the Lord’s Supper, The Reverend Carolyn Matthews will be our preacher. Rumor has it that the Coffee Hour which follows worship is not to be missed and that there will be much music in the Forum.
Jim H.
Prayers of the Congregation (Thank you to Leilah for her beautiful prayer and for compiling these)
- Charlene and Jerry Wolf for their neighbor, Wayne
- Terry Jackson, for a strong heart
- Dennis Tanner for his grandson, Austin
- Mary for her friend, Doug
- Dayle Scott for Darlene’s health
- Ruben Artery for his family
- Billy’s health
- Leon Veal for his sister, Shirley
- Public health workers around the globe
- Alonso as he faces the demands of school
- Sandra Dunn, health concerns
- Larry Sims and family as they remember Leona (January 31 was the third anniversary of her death)
- Bjoe Morris, need for stable housing
- A safe and sane Super Bowl week, blessings on the efforts to combat the human trafficking that accompanies events of this magnitude
- Jim Dorr for his friend, Francis
- Kay Baxter for Stacey, Jamie and Tess Benin
- Idris Webb and family
- The Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate in face of changes and challenges
- Thanksgiving with our Aspire and Achieve program for the leadership of Jesus Portillo, the generosity of Geoffery Pete and the flourishing partnership with 100 Black Men
- Justice for the residents of Flint, Michigan
- Rae Rita Thompson for her dad and her uncle
- Thanksgiving with Sydney Webster for the opportunity to preach at First Congregational Church of Oakland on January 31
- All who are grieving the death of The Reverend Dr. James Noel, longtime professor at San Francisco Theological Seminary and Pastor of New Liberation Church of San Francisco
- The people of Dalori, Nigeria as they grieve the attack by Boko Haram
- The success of the United Nations sponsored Syrian Peace Talks
- The American Baptist family as it mourns the death of longtime pastor and leader, John Akers
- Evan Wilkinson and family as he undergoes surgery to strengthen his ankle and leg at UCSF Benioff Hospital in San Francisco
- Rowena Jackson for Ivy Jackson
- Michele Austin for her niece
Announcements
A beautiful musical experience awaits all who attend the concert by the Linfield College Choir, Wednesday night, 7:00, in the Sanctuary.
The memorial service for Marie Chuck will be Friday morning, 10:00, at Oakland First Baptist Church.