WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

This past Sunday, Greater Church, formerly called Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, hosted the Joint Triad Thanksgiving Experience.  The service combined the congregations of Greater Church, Union Baptist Church and Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

The service started a few years ago. It was first held at Galilee. Bishop Sir Walter L. Mack, senior Pastor of Union Baptist, said he and Bishop Sheldon M. McCarter, senior pastor of Greater Church, were holding Thanksgiving services jointly and once they received a call from Dr. Nathan E. Scovens, senior pastor of Galilee, they decided to make it a trio.

The service on Nov. 20 began with songs of worship that had many in the congregation standing on their feet. Pastor Scovens delivered the official welcome.  After Scovens was a mime routine and a crowd-raising dance routine.

An offering was collected. All of the proceeds will be donated to the victims of Hurricane Matthew. Bishop McCarter said that this is the time for thanks and definitely a time for giving to those who are in need.

Bishop Mack delivered the sermon, titled “Living Between Trump and My Next Praise.”  He said regardless of who is in office, God is still in charge.  He touched on the fact that God can take what is meant to be evil and make it good.

McCarter said he loves having these services because it builds such comradery with the members of the different churches.

“The reality is that we pastor to the same people, just at different locations,” McCarter said.  “We just tear down that wall that people say churches have up.  We just band together in unity. The city needs this awakening.”

Mack added: “We don’t get a chance to hear each other preach because we are in our pulpit on Sunday mornings.  So when I come here, I know I’m going to hear a true and powerful sermon between the two of them.”

Scovens said, “The service is always for a cause, so we are supporting community efforts, and this year we are supporting Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.  There is a purpose in the party. When I came to this city, they were two of the first to embrace me as a pastor, so it’s just a great fellowship.”