The ONE Church Worship Service included several special events —
the annual tradition of third graders receiving their own Bibles,
the presence of the Bishop of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church Connie Mitchell Shelton
and our Sound District Superintendent Jon Strother,
eight people joining St. James UMC as new members,
and special music by the Praise Band and Catherine Franklin.
The service was followed by a delicious meal prepared by Becky Stephenson, the United Methodist Men, and a legion of volunteers.
Pastor Kuda presented Bibles to third graders Drew Goldenbaum-Yang, Bethany Thorn, and Bentley Whitehurst.
Photo by Bill Maerkle
Frances Cain led the music from the floor piano, playing the Introit, “As the Deer,”
and the first hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”
Photo by Jared Lopez
Lay Leader Ann Davis welcomed everyone to ONE Church.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
The Praise Band provided music for the service (left to right:)
Melissa Davis, Ainsley Short (hidden behind Melissa), Angelica Hlorgbe, Victor Ihuka, Daystar Babanawo (hidden behind Victor), Alex Scanlan (partially hidden), Lufulwabo Patrick Mbaya, Kenny Akinola, Ayodeji Odunaike, Jude Dilioha, Tim Messina (partially hidden), and Elizabeth McAllister.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Sawyer Thompson served as acolyte for the Worship Service.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Catherine Franklin played “Chanson” by Faber for the Offertory.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Bryant Rouse read Scripture from Romans 8:22-27.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Melissa Arrington proclaimed the Scripture from Genesis 11:1-9.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Pastor Tom read the Scripture and preached from Acts 2:1-21 on the presence of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles,
which we now celebrate as Pentecost.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
The Lord’s Prayer was offered in six different languages during the service (left to right:)
Gloria Lopez from Mexico in Spanish, Mina Bik from Iran in Farsi,
Lufulwabo Patrick Mbaya from South Africa in Zulu, Victor Ihuka from Nigeria in Igbo,
Kim Nguyen from Vietnam in Vietnamese, and Kuda Kagura from the U.S. in Shona, a language of Zimbabwe, where Kuda was born.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Victor Ihuka presented special guest Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton with gifts from Africa of contemporary fabric,
necklaces and hand pieces, a royal culture piece (Nza), a Nigerian flag, and a handwritten note.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Pastor Tom posed with our ONE Church special guests
Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton and District Superintendent Rev. Jon Strother.
Bishop Shelton offered greetings and participated with DS Strother in congratulating our new members and the Spring Fling grant recipients.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Pastor Laura and Pastor Tom welcomed new members to St. James UMC (left to right:) Dawn Benthall, Daystar Babanawo, Lufulwabo Patrick Mbaya, Angelica Hlorgbe, Otisia Bryan, Terri and Warren Cobb, and Kenny Akinola.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Marianne Leventry (not pictured) presented the Spring Fling grant checks to the following recipients (left to right:)
Tekor Daniels of Operation Sunshine, Dan and Kay Sokolovic of Greenville Community Garden,
James Haskins of Building Hope, Bob Wynn of Third Street Education Center,
Cathy Knudson of ECU Global Health, Melissa Arrington of Little Willie Center,
Lynn Pischke of Cancer Services of Eastern North Carolina, a board member of Cancer Services,
and Dawn Singleton of Greenville Learning Center.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Pastor Laura led the Call to Worship and the Congregational Prayer.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Pastor Joyce led the Prayers of the People and introduced the Lord’s Prayer.
Photo by Jennifer Dail
Charlie Hairston oversaw the transformation of the multi-purpose room from a worship space
to a dining area where several hundred people enjoyed lunch.
Photo by Bill Maerkle