April 2008 - Pilgrim Baptist Church

A Monthly Publication of the Pilgrim Baptist Church—Rockford, Illinois
The Pilgrim Messenger
APRIL, 2008
Volume III, Issue 5
VISION STATEMENT
The Vision of the Pilgrim Baptist Church is the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation through the belief in the ministry of
Jesus Christ and the empowerment of excellence in all people through Christian education and community activism.
PILGRIM BAPTIST
CHURCH
HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS
1703 South Central Avenue
Rockford, IL 61102
Phone: (815) 968-4449
www.pilgrimbaptist.org
MINISTERIAL TEAM
Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board
Senior Pastor/Servant Leader
- Reverend Steve Cossey
- Minister Angela Davis
- Minister Willie L. Reed
- Minister Jacqueline Robinson
- Minister Carl L. Towns
Office Manager
Mrs. Beverly Owens
Office Receptionist
Mrs. Queen E. Patterson
Pilgrim celebrated in many ways during
the week leading up to the Resurrection of
Jesus, the Christ on Easter Sunday.
On the evening of March 20, the Lydians
once again presented an inspiring Maundy
Thursday Feast in the Nancy Smith Youth
Center after a brief worship in the sanctuary.
Worshipers walked in silence to the dining
tables set up in the shape of the Cross and
feasted on foods significant to that Holy
observance. During the meal, designated
persons read words of Christ from the
Scriptures. Holy Communion was also
Pilgrim’s “Unlimited Praise” dancers at First
observed.
Assembly of God Church’s community-wide Good
On Good Friday, many Pilgrim members Friday service were Marquise Williams, Jacqueline
worshiped at First Assembly’s city-wide
Walker-Edwards, and Samantha LeShoure.
noon service.
Rockford Register Star Photo, used with permission.
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
MONDAYS: (During School Year)
6:00 pm—Boys’ & Girls’ Ministry
TUESDAYS:
9:30 am—Bible Study
WEDNESDAYS:
6:00 pm—Prayer Service
6:30 pm—Bible Study (New Time)
SUNDAYS:
9:00 am—Sunday Church School
10:30 am—Worship Service
10:30 am—Children’s Church*
*(2nd and 4th Sundays)
ALL ARE WELCOME !
“A Church Inspired by
the Word and
Empowered by the
Spirit!”
INSIDE
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Events Calendar
Special Dates
Morehouse Award
Medical Help
“He is Risen”
Mrs. D. Newson
New Musician
Baby Blessing
More . . Easter Program
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(Left) Worshipers
partake of the Feast
in silence, as many
readers share preselected scriptural
passages—especially
the words of Jesus,
the Christ.
SUNDAY SCHOOL EASTER PROGRAM
On Easter Sunday morning,
Pilgrim’s Sunday School presented
an enlightening skit, “The Easter
Tree,” which was decorated with
symbols of Easter.
The program also included
recitations by the Primary Students
and “Poems of Passion,” whereby
members of the Youth and Adult
Sunday School classes beautifully
captured images and feelings of
major characters in the Easter Story.
(More on Page 4)
Three-year-old Marquavian Williams
delivers his speech with help from his
coach, Mrs. Traci Staten.
Marquell Williams and Sha Russell act out their roles in
“The Easter Tree” as Mrs. Marilyn Board explains the
significance of her gift for the Tree.
PAGE 2
T H E PI L G RI M ME SSE N G E R
EVENTS CALENDAR
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Senior Editor/Advisor
Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board
Editor
Mrs. Helen Ware
Phone: (815) 877-6593
[email protected]
Associate Editor
Mrs. Beverly Owens
Phone: (815) 968-4449
Photographers
Mrs. Janie Wilson-Cook
Mr. Patrick Johnson
Mrs. Helen Ware
A PR I L , 2008
APRIL, 2008
06 Sunday
13 Sunday
19 Saturday
20 Sunday
20 Sunday
27 Sunday
27 Sunday
10:30 am—Morning Worship, Communion—Mass Choir
10:30 am—Morning Worship, Youth Sunday/Mass Choir/”Unlimited Praise”
6:00 pm—Pastor Board Speaks, Liberty Baptist Anniversary
10:30 am—Morning Worship—Mass Choir
6:00 pm—Spring Piano Recital (Mr. Donald Robinson’s Students)
10:30 am—Morning Worship— Mass Choir
3:30 pm—Pastor Board Speaks, Mt. Carmel Church
MAY, 2008
04 Sunday
11 Sunday
18 Sunday
25 Sunday
10:30 am—Morning Worship, Communion—Mass Choir
10:30 am—Morning Worship, Youth Sunday/Mass Choir/”Unlimited Praise”
10:30 am—Morning Worship—Mass Choir
10:30 am—Morning Worship— Mass Choir
Proofreader
Mrs. Jacquelyn Tenard
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Note: All are Birthdays—unless otherwise stated!
Technical Support to Editor
Mr. Sedrick Hyacinthe
HOW TO SUBMIT
INFORMATION
News items and articles may be
submitted to the Editor by phone or email (as shown above) or placed in the
Newsletter mail slot near the church
office. Our goal is that the newsletter
will be available on the first Sunday
of each month. Information is requested by the 15th of the preceding
month. All published information will
have been reviewed and/or edited by
the Pastor and the editorial staff.
NOTE:
The new e-mail address for
Helen Ware, Editor, is:
[email protected]
APRIL, 2008
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Maurice Flowers
Ashley Crawford
Michael Mann
Janet Mitchell
Jesika Hart
Greta Foster
Mother Bea Taylor
(Celebrating 103 Years!)
Clara Anthony
Brittany Staten
Joel Weatherall
Albara Morris
Matti Chappel
Minister Carl L. Towns
Congratulations to All!
MAY, 2008
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05
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Beverly Owens
Catherine Dixon
Angeline Whitlow
Deacon Robert Owens
Shanique Sockwell
Zakiya Floyd
Carrrie Ellis
Lishia Campbell
Carl O. Towns
B. B. Owens
Deanna LeShoure
Ophelia White
Shatiqua “Tiki” Brown
Mitch Chappel
Deacon Sam & Jean Gaynor
Wedding Anniversary
DR. HOWARD RECEIVES MOREHOUSE AWARD
Dr. M. William Howard (at left) was one of seven Morehouse
College alumni honored with 2008 Bennie and Candle Awards on February
16, 2008. He received the “Bennie Achievement Award.” Dr. Howard’s
aunt, Mrs. Nanelle Due, attended two celebratory events in Atlanta—a
Saturday morning public forum, moderated by Tony Harris, co-anchor with
Heidi Collins of the morning edition of “CNN Newsroom,” and a
prestigious invitation-only evening gala, Candle in the Dark, held at the
Hyatt Regency Atlanta. William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. was awarded the
“Candle for Lifetime Achievement Award in Arts and Entertainment.”
Dr. Howard is also a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary
and has been Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey since 2000, prior to
which he served as President of the New York Theological Seminary.
Dr. Howard has long-standing ties with Rockford and Pilgrim. Originally from
Americus, Georgia, he spent summers as a youth in Rockford with his uncle and aunt, the late
Mr. Cecil Due and Mrs. Nanelle Due. He was ordained into the ministry by the late Rev. Dr. E.
H. E. Gilbert, then Pastor of Pilgrim. He is still fondly known to many at Pilgrim as “Moses” or
“Bill.” His most recent visit to Rockford was as speaker at Pilgrim’s 90th Anniversary celebration in August, 2007. Pilgrim congratulates Dr. Howard as one of our own!
Special Happy
Birthday to Mother
Beatrice Taylor
who will be 103 on
April 19, 2008
2006 Photo
By Patrick Johnson
MEDICAL HELP
Rockford Rescue
Mission Partners with
Churches!
Pilgrim and eight other
churches are seeking to
assist those uninsured or
under-insured individuals
get medical assistance
when needed.
The Mission’s Clinic
will see Pilgrim members
who meet certain criteria,
but only if they have called
Mrs. Beverly Owens in the
church office, who will
make the appointment, at
(815) 968-4449.
A PR I L , 2008
T H E PI L G RI M ME SSE N G E R
PAGE 3
HE AROSE: “UNLIMITED PRAISE” DRAMATIZATION
Pilgrim’s Praise Dancers, “Unlimited Praise,” are
appropriately named, as they are seemingly “unlimited” in
their talents and energy. After a Friday performance at
First Assembly (see Page 1), they were ready to bless
Pilgrim’s congregation on Easter with dance and a dramatic
re-enactment of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.
At left, Rev. Steve Cossey, as Jesus, carries His Cross,
and Deacon Forest Patterson, as Simon, follows. At right,
“the Women” celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection.
Mrs. Matti Chappel, Director, Choreographer, and
Drama Coach, seems to be as untiring as those she coaches
to ever-greater heights of worship through dance and
drama!
(Unlimited Praise Photos by Janie Wilson-Cook)
THANKFUL!
On Easter Sunday, long-time
member Mrs. Dorothy Newson
said how thankful she was to be in
Worship Service at Pilgrim again.
For the last four years, she has
either been in a hospital, in a
nursing home, or homebound.
Dorothy said she feels especially blessed because
the completion of the elevator wing now allows her
access to the sanctuary. She and her husband, Deacon
Ben Newson, were faithful stewards of a $10,000 bequest
from the late Mrs. Viola Ross for the elevator fund.
She was escorted to church by her grandson, Nik,
who said he will be bringing his grandmother to church
as often as she is able.
PILGRIM’S MUSICIAN
A warm Pilgrim welcome
has been extended to Minister
Alphonzo Heath, who is
sharing his musical gifts as
Pilgrim’s Musician.
He and his wife, Pastor
Barbara Heath, are co-Pastors
of First Christian Church of
Rockford. Their service starts
at a later time which enables
him to serve Pilgrim.
He is the grandson of the
late Rev. D. W. Heath who founded the church located on
Heath Street, which was renamed in his honor.
Pilgrim’s Music Ministry is being taken to new heights
under the direction of Minister Heath!
BABY BLESSING
In the top left photo, family members of four-month-old Malachi Ny’re
Rigsby witnessed his blessing ceremony as performed by Rev. Dr. Kenneth R.
Board at Pilgrim on Sunday, March 9, 2008.
Baby Malachi was born on November 21, 2007, to Sherise Rigsby. Other
loved ones of Malachi include Grandparents Eugene and Mia Rigsby and
Veverly Rigsby; Great-Grandparents Bertha Rigsby and J.
C. and Rochelle Addison; and Godparents Chris and Albara
Morris.
Baby Malachi was the youngest actor in Pilgrim’s
Christmas production, “A Uniquely Pilgrim Christmas,” in
December, 2007, as he played Baby Jesus.
In photos at left and right, Malachi wears his hat at a
jaunty angle while safely nestled in his Mom’s arms during
Easter Sunday worship service on March 23.
(Oh, those eyes!)
Malachi Ny’re Rigsby
APRIL, 2008
THE PILGRIM MESSENGER
PAGE 4
PILGRIM’S MINISTRY FOCUS FOR 2008
“Building up the Body of Christ” — Ephesians 4:16
MORE . . . EASTER PROGRAM
Evon Sams provides an
instrumental selection on his
sax, accompanied by
Minister Alphonzo Heath.
“The Easter Tree”
cast included: Mrs. Marilyn
Board, Laura Pelayo,
Christopher Reed, Sha
Russell, Christopher Tenard,
Jackie Tenard, Eboni White,
and Marquell Williams.
“He Lives” speeches
were recited by Primary
Department students and
coached by Mrs. Traci
Staten.
Primary students were
Na’Ziya Moorehead, Victor
Pelayo, Christyn Robinson,
Amara Simpson, Alana
Swift, Marquavion Williams,
and Anaya Wright.
Mrs. Albertha “Bert”
Towns recites a “Poem of
the Passion” entitled, “A
Mother’s Sorrow.”
Mrs. Patricia Fricks served as MC for the Sunday Church
School’s Easter Program, which was a great success! Pastor Board
gathered the participants around him (some of whom are shown
above) to thank and commend them on an outstanding program. He
also commented that perhaps we should create a traditional “Easter
Tree” decorated with symbols of the Resurrection.
Props for “The Easter Tree” were provided by Mrs. Alberta
Weatherall. Decorations included Angels, Butterflies, a Cross, a
Crown, and Lilies. Explanations were provided as each was added.
A welcome blessing (and surprise) was the Youth Easter Choir,
directed by Bethanne Holifield.
Thanks go to many others responsible for the success of this
Easter Program, including Mrs. Marilyn Board and Staci Wright of
the Easter Program Committee, Dr. Vinest Steele, Superintendent,
and all other Sunday School Officers, Teachers, and Youth Leaders.
PI L G R IM B APT I ST C H U R CH
1703 South Central Avenue
Rockford, IL 61102
Office: (815) 968-4449
Fax: (815) 968-2603
www.pilgrimbaptist.org
Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board
Senior Pastor / Servant Leader
To:
Sunday Church
School Youth and
Adults who participated
in “Poems of the
Passion” were Jesika
Hart, Jasmine Holifield,
Deacon Roby Johnson,
Justin Morgan, Timothy
Rogers, Te’Shaude
Sockwell, Albertha
Towns, Marquan
Williams, Shatuana
Williams; and Karli
Wright.
(Easter Program
Photos by H. Ware)