St. Paul Church of God in Christ-Message for the Month

February- African Disapora Month

What a profound difference that a year can make. Last year the dominant mood of the country was one of celebration and shouts of “Yes, we can!” echoed throughout the land. Now, President Obama is facing criticism from all sides and despite heroic efforts to reach out to all everyone, especially his foes, our nation is as divided as ever. It seems that whatever President Obama proposes, the Republican and the blue dog Democrats are against it. Yet, for people of mature Christian faith, we know that our hope does not rest in the presidency nor any mortal, for our hope rests securely in God--our Righteousness, our Salvation and our Deliverer.

This month we celebrate the tremendous gifts and talents that African peoples have contributed in the United States and around the world. Many citizens of the world are totally oblivious to how much Africans in the west, in Europe and on the continent have impacted the world . For example, Africans gave the world the concept of monotheism, which means that God Is One. This insight forms the foundation for all three of the world’s Monotheistic (the belief in one God) and Yahwehistic religions—Christianity, Islam and Judaism. All three trace their roots back to the legendary patriarch, Abraham. African peoples were the first humans on planet earth and are the ancestor of all of the diverse ethnicities of humankind.

Africans migrated and mingled with many other peoples in Asia, Arabia and Europe and spread from the mother continent to all the continents of the world. Now, Africans are present in every country in the world (the diaspora). Also, many of the inventions in our modern culture were invented or refined by the genius of African minds. For example, the elevator, the refrigerator, low maintenance machinery, the last for manufacture of shoes, the electric light bulb, and the USA’s classical music--the blues and jazz--are all gifts to the peoples of the world by Africans of the diaspora.

We are blessed by the scholarship of the late Carter G. Woodson, whose pioneering work led to Negro History Week, later expanded to Negro History Month, then Black History Month and as we gained more awareness of our roots, we prefer to celebrate African Diaspora History Month. We honor and cherish God’s Call and Choice of our Africans ancestors to share their genius and treasures with all peoples of the world. Thank God for the rich diversity in creation and among humankind.

Since many scientists assert all people are of African roots, then may we sing with joy the late James Weldon Johnson’s sacred anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Now, when we sing the national anthem, it finally has a new ring of truth and freedom. Thank God for this day in the USA and may we ever also, “Be true to our God, true to our native land.” Yes, let freedom ring, sing it loud and strong with eternal vigilance as lovers of justice tempered with mercy for all. Amen

Pastor Jay


		February- African Disapora Month What a profound difference that a year can make. Last year the dominant mood of the country was one of celebration and shouts of “Yes, we can!” echoed throughout the land. Now, President Obama is facing criticism from all sides and despite heroic efforts to reach out to all everyone, especially his foes, our nation is as divided as ever. It seems that whatever President Obama proposes, the Republican and the blue dog Democrats are against it. Yet, for people of mature Christian faith, we know that our hope does not rest in the presidency nor any mortal, for our hope rests securely in God--our Righteousness, our Salvation and our Deliverer. This month we celebrate the tremendous gifts and talents that African peoples have contributed in the United States and around the world. Many citizens of the world are totally oblivious to how much Africans in the west, in Europe and on the continent have impacted the world . For example, Africans gave the world the concept of monotheism, which means that God Is One. This insight forms the foundation for all three of the world’s Monotheistic (the belief in one God) and Yahwehistic religions—Christianity, Islam and Judaism. All three trace their roots back to the legendary patriarch, Abraham. African peoples were the first humans on planet earth and are the ancestor of all of the diverse ethnicities of humankind. Africans migrated and mingled with many other peoples in Asia, Arabia and Europe and spread from the mother continent to all the continents of the world. Now, Africans are present in every country in the world (the diaspora). Also, many of the inventions in our modern culture were invented or refined by the genius of African minds. For example, the elevator, the refrigerator, low maintenance machinery, the last for manufacture of shoes, the electric light bulb, and the USA’s classical music--the blues and jazz--are all gifts to the peoples of the world by Africans of the diaspora. We are blessed by the scholarship of the late Carter G. Woodson, whose pioneering work led to Negro History Week, later expanded to Negro History Month, then Black History Month and as we gained more awareness of our roots, we prefer to celebrate African Diaspora History Month. We honor and cherish God’s Call and Choice of our Africans ancestors to share their genius and treasures with all peoples of the world. Thank God for the rich diversity in creation and among humankind. Since many scientists assert all people are of African roots, then may we sing with joy the late James Weldon Johnson’s sacred anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Now, when we sing the national anthem, it finally has a new ring of truth and freedom. Thank God for this day in the USA and may we ever also, “Be true to our God, true to our native land.” Yes, let freedom ring, sing it loud and strong with eternal vigilance as lovers of justice tempered with mercy for all. Amen Pastor Jay