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New Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church Honors Martin Luther King, Jr. And The President’s Inauguration

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" ...he displayed Christlike characteristics."

 Monday, January 21, 2013 was a very special day. It was a day that celebrated both Martin Luther King, Jr. and the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. The President took his oath of office as he placed his hand on not one, but two Bibles. One was Abraham Lincoln's Bible and the other that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was very symbolic of a dream realized. The inauguration coincided with the celebration of MLK, Jr. Day and it proved to be a very special one. It was an apex of Dr. Kings "I Have A Dream Speech". The now famous 17 minute speech which Dr. King gave on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963 took on added meaning.  With the election and re-election of Barack Obama, Dr. Kings words reached yet another goal. How prophetic was this speech of 50 years ago? One of the most impressive lines in the speech was "We cannot walk alon... we cannot turn back. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character... I have a dream today!" On Monday a national holiday fulfilled the dream of our nation to never forget this special man and to join in celebrating the achievement of another man as President of the United States. 

      Saturday, January 19th, New Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church in Forest City honored both at their Second Annual MLK Day Celebration. Pastor Leroy Staley, New Bethel's pastor for 21 years, told me that he thought he would never live to see so many achievements, especially the election of an Afro-American as United States President. His church honored the slain civil rights leader with a gathering in the Fellowship Hall. It started with a full breakfast and then meditations by members of New Bethel. Prayers were offered for thanksgiving, church and unity, home and family, the sick, the youth, salvation and for the nations leaders. Then with a special introduction, the featured speaker, Reverend Tyreke Lamar Johnson was introduced. He is from the Rhema Family Worship Center in Charlotte. But what made him extra special was that he is the son of New Bethel members, Alfred and Barbara Johnson. He spoke with eloquence of Dr. King, saying it was an honor to be a part of the celebration. He said that Martin Luther King, Jr. "displayed Christlike characteristics." His message was very clear. "God placed him on earth for one reason, to fulfill His purpose." As for the assassination, Tyreke said "To be a martyr is to be a witness." That was the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. The beautiful part of  Reverend Tyreke Lamar Johnson's sermon was how he embellished and, step by step, used the words of The Lords Prayer in closing. With each sentence of the prayer, he added new meaning to the words which we all have often heard and repeated. It was a very impressive conclusion.  

     That we, in Rutherford County, took the time to honor the achievements of these two men, proved that we truly are "one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

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