|
|
Post by krazeeboi on Apr 1, 2007 19:34:33 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by livinganewlife on Apr 2, 2007 12:05:35 GMT -5
Praise the Lord……
All I can say is Glory to God for His goodness and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to know Bishop G. E. Patterson…… I am still a little shaken, at time this seems so surreal to me..
Reading Sis. Keita comments I felt the same way......
To know that the Christian / Jewish/ Muslim/Catholic community was there in full force to attend the Home going of a General……
There were so many denominations and faith represented until it was unbelievable…. I attended both Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson and Ford funerals and they weren’t as well attended (inclusive of other denominations) as this one.
I thank God, because I truly feel that I just receive a glimpse of Heaven on this past week ….. On Thursday night the Rabbi spoke and he genuinely had a little “hoop†in his voice but not only that when I looked up on the platform and when Beverly Crawford was singing the Rabbi was rocking and praising with us too…. It was simply beautiful….. In additiona Minister Louis Farrakhan sent a telegram and personally sent his regards to the family and to the COGIC.
All I can say is that for those three days I attended the services, of course I was so sad and cried so many tears because I personally received so many nuggets from my Presiding Bishop…. However as I looked around that church and looked at ecumenical gathering to celebrate the life of this leader all I could think of is this must be what heaven is gonna look like….
That one day all of us who are saved will come from every walk of life to Crown Jesus the King…..
I may be back to post more......
|
|
|
|
Post by krazeeboi on Apr 2, 2007 12:17:30 GMT -5
OK guys, here's my report. For those of you who don't know, I traveled to Memphis for the funeral, and attending the Tennessee 4th Jurisdictional service on Friday night and the COGIC International homegoing on Saturday morning.
I arrived at the church on Friday between 5-5:30pm and got a chance to view the body. He did look like himself, but it was obvious that they had to be a bit generous with the makeup, since he was under lights for several days. He was in his official red and white presiding bishop vestures. I would have just preferred that he was laid out perpendicular to the altar instead of parallel to it, and that the casket he was in (which appeared to be mahogany) had a removable lid, and that he was raised up inside of the casket. As is, I thought the way he was laid out for display was only a step up from how any regular person would be laid out.
The service was REALLY good on Friday night. I was sitting in a lively section, and those folks came ampped and ready to get their praise on. For me, the highlights of the night were Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hooks (who didn't want to put the mike down for a minute, LOL), Myrna Summers singing "Uncloudy Day" with the jurisdictional mass choir (and we got a dance in after that), and Bishop Joseph W. Walker's (Mt. Zion Baptist Church out of Nashville) comments REALLY could have brought the house down if he only had about five more minutes. He made reference to his favorite show as a child, which was Batman. And he remembered one episode in particular when it looked like Batman had died and the Joker and the Penguin were going to take over the city (that's exactly how he said it, and he got a rouse out of the congregation there). However, Batman was only in a deep sleep. However, an episode or two later showed Batman standing tall over the city after he'd gotten back to normal. But as a child, Walker couldn't understand why it had to happen. So he asked his dad about it, and his dad said, "Son, it happened that way because it was written in the script." Of course, at that point a couple of people jumped out of their chairs (including me). We would have REALLY gone for broke at that point, but there was a programmed message from T.D. Jakes that appeared on the screen at that moment. The actual eulogy was OK; it came from Bishop Jerry Maynard, the jurisdictional bishop. It took him a while to get wound up. But all in all, I really did enjoy the service. A not-so-bright spot, however, is that they ran out of obituaries. They actually weren't distributed orderly at all, and people were complaining about not having one when the person at the podium said, "Turn to the hymn in your programs." Then was sort of a mad dash to get programs, but everyone hardly got one. I actually heard that someone stole several boxes of programs, which I don't understand how that could happen at all. But the programs were VERY nice, and had many nice pictures of Bishop Patterson in there. These programs were specific for the jurisdction. At the end of the service, they played some songs from the church CD with the traditional songs and had some clips of Bishop Patterson cuttin' some steps, which the crowd really enjoyed. I got a little sad at that point, because I realized that I would never see him do that again.
Now we come to Saturday. We woke up at 5am, and arrived at the church around 6:30am, where there was already a nice little line with several hundred people leading to a side entrance (the front entrance was closed to the public), plus people crowded at another door which appeared to be for official people (bishops, supervisors, etc.). We were there when the hearse arrived and everything. However, logistically, this day was nothing short of a nightmare. At one point, we have an orderly line. Sometime after 8:30am, the line, that finally started to move, turned into a crowd at the door. Nurses were trying to get out of the church at that door, press members were trying to get in--it was a madhouse! Then they started letting people in a little at a time. THEN we were told that we would have to disperse because the fleet of family cars (there were fourteen in all--why, I don't know, especially considering that Bishop Patterson had no kids/grandkids/great-grandkids) was coming through that way, and eventually we were told that no one else was getting in--despite the fact that people on the inside were calling people on the outside letting them know that seats were still available inside the church. So my friends and I got frustrated and went around the church. Then we saw an entrance where even a bunch of choir members couldn't get in. We went around there and went to the entrance that looked like it was for officials, and the crowd had dwindled there. We waited (and complained) for a while, and just decided to wait there to see what would happen. Then signs were put up on the door: "No more seats available, please go to Mason Temple," which is where an overflow was set up; by this time, the overflows at the old church and the family life center were already full. We didn't know what we were going to do.
We eventually decided to hang around for a little while, because it was still being said that seats were still available on the inside. We went back to the choir entrance, were choir members were STILL waiting, and maybe about 20 people were let in from there. Then we went back to our original door, and someone did come out and say that eventually, everyone at that door (which had dwindled SIGNIFICANTLY--a lot of people just gave up and left) would get in if we would be patient and not push. So I saw them let about maybe 20 people in. Then when I get right up to the door, we were told to go around to the main door, where they would let people in. So I went there and waited for maybe like 15-20 minutes or so, and FINALLY I GOT IN. At this point it was about 11:20am, and the service started at 10am. So all in all, I waited for five hours to get in. When I got in, Rev. Timothy Wright was leading the choir in song. They did "For the Rest of My Life" and "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" after which a dance broke out. Dorinda Clark-Cole led the choir with "I'm Determined." A lot of resolutions were read and everything. Bishop Blake did the eulogy, and he did good. When we finally left if was raining HARD, and we decided to go over to Mason Temple to check it out before we left. We got a chance to do that and view C.H. Mason's tomb, which is in a wing in the lobby. Oh yeah, and all of us did get programs of the international funeral, which were really nice, although I think the jurisdictional programs were nicer aesthetically.
And that's my report. I just got up about an hour and a half ago and decided to get this out of the way. I didn't take my camera, but my friends did and I'll be getting pictures from them shortly. One of my friends also visited the gravesite after everyone had left, so I have some pictures of that too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 3, 2007 18:39:34 GMT -5
I watched the funeral on Saturday.."well some of it" and It was so sad... I actually had a few tears when they started singing that song.."tell we meet again".. I really will miss this man of God. I got a chance to hear bill clinton as well... He was quoting the scripture like a preacher..lol. It was a moving service...
|
|
|
|
Post by stillfocused on Apr 4, 2007 9:49:17 GMT -5
Krazeeboi..thanks for sharing that with us !! I tried to watch it online on Saturday..then I realized because of the time zone differences that it over. It is the pillars who are now going on to be with Lord. Bishop Patterson left a great legacy..it was strange watching his program on Sunday morning knowing that he was no longer with us..he spoke the truth, in love, with much conviction and much love. Blessings of comfort and peace to the Patterson family and the COGIC family.
|
|
|
|
Post by livinganewlife on Apr 4, 2007 17:02:59 GMT -5
OK I am back and got myself together: I will give a report for Thursday night since KB took care of Fri and Sat (except you left out Marvin and Donnie singing Stand but i understand a brotha was tired.) Let's start with Wednesday: I went to view the body with my family and while we were at Mason Temple our National Mother (Mother Willie Mae Rivers) walked in and viewed the body and she took it very hard which caused a chain reaction of tears throughout the Temple.... Well anyway I arrived Thursday at the church and pretty much had no problem getting in...... The church was very crowded but i knew a secret.....  We got seated and the family and elders processioned in and the choir song Holy Holy and i really don't remember anything except i was really sad and crying when they song Til We Meet....... The Local ministers, rabbis, politicians and church members spoke. I remember the deacon speaking commenting on how Bishop told them to "Watch the Door" and that the next time he attends church he will be coming through the door.... that was pretty good.... Beverly Crawford song (Just as Soon as my feet Touch Zion; think that's the name of it) and Rance Allen song (Hear my Voice) and the audience took it kinda of hard because that was one of Bishop's favorite songs....... The Elder Frank A. White (from New York) he is a member of the COGIC Trustee Board and Pastor's in New York delivered the eulogy...... That's my report for Wednesday and Thursday night.... |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Apr 5, 2007 14:14:21 GMT -5
Hey All,
Just stopping by to say... Pray for the COGIC April Call meeting.
Amen
|
|
|
|
Post by keita on Apr 5, 2007 14:24:42 GMT -5
PRAISE THE LORD! Good to see you, sis Jas!  If you don't mind my asking, what is the "April Call meeting"? |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Apr 6, 2007 12:48:34 GMT -5
Hiii Its good to be amongst the saints again!
Its when all the Bishops, Pastors, Elders and etc. get together to discuss or conduct business for the COGIC.
Bishop Patterson said ALOT before he died. He recognized the wolves in sheep clothing, and knew that they were in his own cabinet. Its a sad thing when your own cabinet is waiting for you to die.
Some individuals have alterior motives, but nevertheless God is in control.
Continue to pray!
|
|
|
|
Post by Beck on Apr 6, 2007 13:02:44 GMT -5
Hiii Its good to be amongst the saints again! Its when all the Bishops, Pastors, Elders and etc. get together to discuss or conduct business for the COGIC. Bishop Patterson said ALOT before he died. He recognized the wolves in sheep clothing, and knew that they were in his own cabinet. Its a sad thing when your own cabinet is waiting for you to die. Some individuals have alterior motives, but nevertheless God is in control. Continue to pray! In my prayers sister. Its amazing the things God shows in dreams.... |
|
|
|
Post by keita on Apr 6, 2007 13:12:18 GMT -5
SHO' NUFF Praying!  (Thanks for the clarification, sis Jas.) "HIYA!!!" |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Apr 7, 2007 1:13:16 GMT -5
Hiii Its good to be amongst the saints again! Its when all the Bishops, Pastors, Elders and etc. get together to discuss or conduct business for the COGIC. Bishop Patterson said ALOT before he died. He recognized the wolves in sheep clothing, and knew that they were in his own cabinet. Its a sad thing when your own cabinet is waiting for you to die. Some individuals have alterior motives, but nevertheless God is in control. Continue to pray! In my prayers sister. Its amazing the things God shows in dreams.... Such an awesome GOD we serve. He's always speaking in some way, shape or form. |
|
|
|
Post by krazeeboi on Apr 7, 2007 15:04:26 GMT -5
OK I am back and got myself together: I will give a report for Thursday night since KB took care of Fri and Sat (except you left out Marvin and Donnie singing Stand but i understand a brotha was tired.) My bad!  And you're right, I was good and tired. But it was worth it. Yeah, I was told Mother Rivers took the news kind of hard, and understandably so. What's your secret? And if you also know of a "secret" regarding the local and jurisdictional obituaries, you should send them to a brotha! I was looking at the Saturday service online, the part that took place before I got there, and it was VERY emotional. Had I been there for the processional, I might have shed some tears myself. The Saturday service took longer to "kick off" than the Friday service, which was understandable. They surely didn't waste any time going off into a dance on Friday, LOL. |
|
|
|
Post by livinganewlife on Apr 11, 2007 15:37:01 GMT -5
KB, if I told you my secret it wouldn't be a secret  Thanks for praying Saints! I just wanted to report that the April Call meeting went well and COGIC is moving forward..... As of today our new Presiding Bishop is Bishop Charles Blake..... Bishop J. Neaul Haynes is First Administrative Assistant and Bishop P. A. Brooks is Second Administrative Assistant.... To God Be the Glory!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Apr 11, 2007 17:47:52 GMT -5
Indeed, Glory be to God!
Keep praying! He's only interim, however maybe the saints will vote him for next years election!
|
|
And you're right, I was good and tired. But it was worth it.