Faith Legacy 3.5

Inspired and Written by: Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick Editorial Team: Wanda Davis, Rev. Lornetta Chaney, Juanita Valree and GBC Office Staff Design and Layout: Tiffany Foreman Graphic Backgrounds and Photography: Tiffany Foreman, Luther Chambers, www.Freepik.com and Kaleatta Poulson Events Coordinated by: Pastor Dwight Riddick and 35th Anniversary Committee Members (Wanda Davis, Deacon Vernon Floyd, Deacon Harold Gibson, Deacon David Sheppard Deaconess Irma Berry, Deaconess Terry Floyd, Deaconess Angela Davis, Felecia DeBrew, Robert Carr)

Faith Legacy 3.5 “God’s Hand is on Us for Something Special” “Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. ” I Thessalonians 1:2-5 MSG

5405 Roanoke Avenue, Newport News, Va 23605 (757) 244-8833- Office | (757) 247-0037- Fax www.GethsemaneBaptist.org | www.GBCSouth.org Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick, Sr. - Pastor

Greetings

I am excited and delighted to announce the preliminary plans for the 35th Anniversary of our church. Oh my! Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday a few believing saints gathered to worship and to launch what we now know as Gethsemane Baptist Church.

God has certainly had His hand on Gethsemane over the past thirty-five years. We have seen lives changed and transformed for the better, families enriched, and the community greatly impacted. Indeed, the move of God in our midst has been phenomenal!

Most will agree that what has been accomplished over these past thirty-five years is worthy of a grand celebration. Leaders and members of our church have been meeting over the past few months to pray, plan, and put a yearlong celebration into motion.

It is our aim to honor all who have ever been a part of Gethsemane by planning an all-inclusive celebration. This brochure has been designed to announce those plans so that all of our members and well-wishers can plan ahead to share in these celebratory events.

The theme chosen for our celebration is Faith Legacy 3.5: “God’s Hand is on Us for Something Special” (I Thessalonians 1:2-5 MSG).

Given the legacy of our church, I am convinced that there are many more special and unique things that God has planned for the people of Gethsemane.

Let’s take a moment to look back and then launch into a brand new future.

Please take time to review all of the celebration activities that have been planned. Mark your calendar and make the necessary preparations to attend. This is a “can’t miss” event!

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2019 35th Church Anniversary Calendar at a Glance December 31, 2018 Doors Open at 8:00 P.M. Wednesday Evenings in February 7:00 P.M.

New Year’s Eve Celebration 2018 Anniversary Launch Anniversary Celebration Services

February 2, 2019 11:00 A.M.

“Black History - Our History” Brunch Theater

February 3, 2019 9:30 A.M.

Unity Worship Service & Candlelight Communion

February 9, 2019 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Birthday Party at the T-Place

February 10, 2019 10:30 a.m.

Founders’ Day Sunday

February 16, 2019 3:00 P.M.

Black Out Party: “A Wing & A Word” A Millennial Celebration

February 17, 2019 8:00 A.M. & 10:30 A.M.

GBC 350K Run “Finish the Work”

February 23, 2019

Community Gala

February 24, 2019 8:00 A.M. & 10:30 A.M. June 8, 2019 5:00 p.m.

Family & Friends Sunday Anniversary Concert

October 5, 2019 11:00 A.M.

Homecoming Convocation Hampton Roads Convention Center Hampton, VA

October 5, 2019 2:00 P.M.

Homecoming Festival

August - October

December 6, 2019 7:00 p.m.

Pictorial Directory Family Picture Appointments Anniversary Gala “Flash Forward Event” Hampton Roads Convention Center Hampton, VA

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New Year’s Eve Celebration 2018 December 31, 2018 9:00 P.M. Start your year off right at Watch Night 2018 as we close out 2018 and launch our 35th Church Anniversary!

An exciting, electrifying and empowering evening has been planned. Special guests have been invited who will lead a powerful

segment of Praise and Worship. Our Pastor will bring a life-changing word, and we expect families to join together in prayer as the old year gives way to the dawning of 2019. New Year’s Eve Worship 2018 will take place right here at the T-Place.

Mark Your Calendar!!

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Brunch Theater Black History - Our History Saturday February 2, 2019 11:00 A.M. February is African American History month. We intend to celebrate the heritage of Gethsemane with a unique theatrical presentation depicting Gethsemane’s thirty-five year journey. You don’t want to miss the GBC Players who will be in rare form! The event will be FREE and the food will be fabulous. We will distribute tickets to get an accurate count, so be on the look out!

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Unity Worship Service and Candlelight Communion Sunday, February 3, 2019 9:30 A.M. High Church at its finest! All members are asked to dress in their Sunday Best, or whatever they desire. During this time, we will come together as one body in Christ and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. This will be a day of high worship and celebration!

Wednesday Evening Celebration Services Gethsemane was birthed on February 12, 1984. February has served as our church’s celebration month for a number of years and this year will be no exception!

Each Wednesday night, we will gather for our Anniversary Worship services. Local churches that played a significant role in Gethsemane throughout the years have been invited to share in this celebration.

Please mark your calendar to attend the following celebration services.

February 6, 2019 - 7:00 P.M.

There will be one worship service on this First Baptist Church Denbigh, Newport News, VA Sunday held at 9:30 A.M. Please plan to arrive early.

February 13, 2019 - 7:00 P.M. Ivy Baptist Church, Newport News, VA See page 13 February 20, 2019 - 7:00 P.M. Miracle Temple Baptist Church, Newport News, VA February 27, 2019 - 7:00 P.M. Zion Baptist Church, Newport News, VA

All Auxiliaries and Ministries will have designated service dates when their members will be asked to be in uniform.

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Birthday Party at the T-Place

Founders’ Sunday

Sunday, February 10, 2019 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 9, 2019 7:00 P.M. Come out for the biggest birthday party of the year. Join your fellow GBC family for an “old-fashioned” Birthday Party! It will be a time of food, fun, fellowship, entertainment and dancing.

Join the Celebration!!

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History records that some ninety plus individuals gathered on Sunday, February 12, 1984 for a worship service at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA in Newport News, VA. From this worship experience, the Gethsemane Baptist Mission was organized. The newly formed Mission was later recognized by local Baptist churches as a duly organized church.

Those in attendance on February 12, 1984 were designated as Founders. On Sunday, February 10th, we will celebrate all living Founders. A special Candlelight Ceremony will be held to honor the memory of those who have transitioned.

All members of the congregation are encouraged to invite families of deceased members to attend.

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GBC 350K Run: Finish the Work Get Ready, Get Set, Run! February 23, 2019 Sunday, February 17, 2019 8:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. We’ve designated this Sunday as, GBC 350K Run: Finish the Work Day. The Project Payoff Campaign Follow-up Committee will lead this Sunday’s activities. Members are encouraged to dress in athletic wear and make significant contributions to their campaign commitments. The regular 8:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. worship services will be held. GBC South (Carrollton) will worship at 9:30 A.M.

Black Out Day Party: A Wing and A Word Saturday, February 16, 2019 3:00 p.m.

Let’s party with a purpose! In keeping with our mission to show love to the Hampton Roads community and beyond, we will host a Community Gala. Our community has been an intricate part of Gethsemane and this is our opportunity to express our appreciation by inviting our neighbors to come and celebrate with us by sharing a meal. We will set out our best and embrace our community family and friends in Christian love.

Family & Friends Sunday February 24, 2019 Gethsemane has had many friends and well-wishers over the years who have contributed to our success.

On this Sunday, all members are asked to invite their family and friends to worship at either 8:00 A.M. or 10:30 A.M. at the Main Site and 9:30 A.M. at the GBC South (Carrollton) location. There will be special gifts for all members and our friends to express our gratitude for their unending support to our church!

This Anniversary Celebration would not be complete without celebrating our future.

All members between the ages of 19 and 39 are encouraged to gather in your allblack attire for an exciting time of mixing and mingling – complete with wings and All members are asked to show their loyalty, an awesome word by Pastor D. Shawrod! support, and strength of togetherness, See page 16 by sowing a loyalty seed of $35.00. Let’s watch what God can do with a little when we all come together on one accord!

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Anniversary

Gospel Celebration

Saturday, June 8, 2019 5:00 P.M. Calling all choir members, former choir members and those who have been gifted with melodious voices! We need you for this event!

Our music ministry is currently planning a gospel workshop concert and a special music artist has been invited to lead this momentous occasion. The goal is to offer a 35th year anniversary recording.

Rehearsals are scheduled to start soon!

Interested in the workshop and rehearsal schedule?

Contact Tiffany Foreman in the church office at (757) 244-8833 or email Tiffany.Foreman@ gethsemanebaptist.org See page 17

Holy Convocation roof and the worship is expected to be power-packed and spirit -filled! We look forward to reuniting with old friends and Gethsemane has been blessed to seeing new faces. birth many sons and daughters in the ministry, adopt others who were All members of Gethsemane are asked to previously called into ministry, and turn in funds for the Family Challenge pastor a number of ministers who are on this day. Sons and daughters are connected to Gethsemane by way of asked to sow a special seed.

F.L.A.M.E. (Fostering Leadership and Ministry Excellence). Saturday October This is going to be a big event that you 5, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. all of the sons will not want to miss! and daughters of Gethsemane, along See page 18 with F.L.A.M.E. and members of their congregations are asked to gather for a Holy Convocation at the Hampton Roads Convocation Center.

All of the Gethsemane family will be under one Saturday, October 5, 2019 11:00 A.M.

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Anniversary Homecoming Cookout

“A Taste of GBC”

Following Convocation, the grounds of Gethsemane will be filled with food, fun, and fellowship. Bring your appetite, energy, tent, lawn chair and a dessert.

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35th Anniversary Edition Pictorial Directory It’s that time again! Put on your brightest smile, best outfit, and bring the family out for pictures. That’s right! Gethsemane is getting ready to release its new Anniversary Edition Pictorial Directory.

Pictures will be taken for free and a Directory will be provided to each family that takes a family portrait. Additional pictures may be acquired directly from the portrait company. Please note that ministries of the church will be scheduled to take pictures during the months of February and March. Family pictures will begin in August and conclude in October.

Directories are expected to be delivered in 2020. You don’t want to be left out, so practice your picture-perfect pose!

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The Grand Finale Announcing The 35th Anniversary Gala: “A Blue Carpet Affair” Friday, December 6, 2019 7:00 P.M. Break out your tuxedos and gowns! The final celebration event for our 35th Church Anniversary will be a formal Gala held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

A special guest artist has been invited to be a part of this celebration. Get ready to step out in your finest, as we enjoy an elegant evening of dining and fellowship.

We will also unveil and dedicate our new church logo and branding as we flash forward towards 2020 and the next dimension for Gethsemane!

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You and Your Family Are Invited to the 35th Birthday Party For

Saturday, February 9, 2019 7:00 P.M. The T-Place Gethsemane Baptist Church 5405 Roanoke Avenue Newport News, VA 23605 www.GethsemaneBaptist.org

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