WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

More than 80 Sunday School scholars from various churches in the Forsyth County Sunday School Union (FCSSU) gathered at Mt. Olive Baptist Church on Sunday Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m. for the annual Christmas program. Rev. Damian Anderson of United Metropolitan Baptist Church, member of the FCSSU scholarship committee, served as the emcee of the Christmas talent program.

President Marcus Neal congratulated all of the participants in the program and all of the churches who represented the Sunday School Union at the service.

“I want to thank all of you who continue to make this a better place to fellowship. When I first started coming to the Forsyth County Sunday School Union, there were more people involved. We just need to get back to basics,” said Neal. “We want to continue to exemplify the love of Jesus Christ during our third Sunday gatherings. 

“I am super happy about the youth who have been involved in the Bible Bowl, talent program, and the oratorical contest. When I see them outside of the church service in the community, I feel honored when they speak to me in front of their friends. Sometimes I see Amanda Worrell in the halls of Atkins High School, it brings me joy that we can still connect. Keep on doing what you are doing, young people,” Neal said. 

Worrell, a sophomore at Atkins, is also a member of New Hope Baptist Church. She sang the solo “Oh, Holy Night” during the program, and she received a standing ovation for her clear, powerful delivery. Another presenter who commanded a standing ovation was Syrbrina Oshode, also from New Hope Baptist Church. Oshode presented an original poem called “Twas the Night Before Christmas, According to the Gospels.” The following stanza received several hearty amens:

“And all of you under the sound of my voice, / Salvation is free, and you do have a choice. / The moment’s at hand; there’s no time to delay. / For tomorrow won’t do, if you perish today … ”

Ariel Temple from Phillips Chapel Baptist Church recited a poem from memory titled “The Birth of Christ.” She reminded the audience “Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Christ. This is the most important part of the gospel. … Let the light shine out of the darkness,” Temple said.

Anadia Reaves from Mt. Olive Baptist Church recited a poem that noted, “Christmas is all about Jesus. I will bless the Lord at all times, and His praise shall continually be in my mouth. … Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving.”

Pastor Richard Wood and his wife Cathy read a poem by Wanda Davis, the program chairperson. They read an excerpt from “This is the Way I Like to Tell the Story.” They read the recitation in the form of a call and response reading.

Minister Joseph Anderson from Alpha and Omega Church of Faith sang an original song based on the first Psalm titled “Blessed Is the Man.” The congregation joined in singing “Jesus, What a Wonderful Child.”

President Marcus Neal reminded the audience of important announcements. The FCSSU superintendents’ meeting will be held on Jan. 9 at Phillips Chapel Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Also, the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Martin Luther King Memorial Banquet will be held on Friday, Jan. 12, at 7p.m. at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills Hotel, 3415 Wake Forest Road in Raleigh. The speaker will be Dr. Thomas Farrow, pastor of Reeder Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte. Kwanzaa programs will begin Dec. 26 and go through Jan. 1. Pastor Richard Wood of New Hope Baptist Church and Constance Smith of New Bethel Baptist Church will be honored at Alpha and Omega Church of Faith, located at 1445 Gray Avenue, on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.

Mr. Rodney McCormick and Minister George Gray invited the congregation to the fellowship hall for dinner by blessing the food and offering the benediction. The pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church is Dr. Charles (Eula) E. Gray.