“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the [c]rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.� Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Celebration of a Life Well Lived THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019
6:00 PM COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 13 Grant Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112 Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III, Senior Pastor Reverend Dr. James Dargan, D.P.C., Pastor Emeritus Immediately after the Celebration of Life, the family will be receiving guests and friends for a repast in the Reverend Charles People Fellowship Hall downstairs.
Words of Greetings & Opening Remarks......................................................... Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III
Senior Pastor – Community Church of God, Newark, NJ
Scripture Readings Old Testament, Psalm 27:1-4........................................................................................ Reverend John Armour Associate Minister - Community Church of God, Newark, NJ New Testament, 2 Timothy 4:6-8.................................................................................. Reverend John Armour
Associate Minister - Community Church of God, Newark, NJ
Prayer of Comfort.................................................................................................................................... Clergy Music Selection............................................................................................... “I Came to Tell What Jesus Said” Family & Friends Reflections
CCOG Fellowship Choir
Hopson Family......................................................................................................... Della Hopson-Ames, Aunt Brittany Hopson, Daughter Johnson Family.................................................................................................Wanda Hopson Munford, Sister Courtney Johnson, Sister Paul L. Johnson, Jr., Brother Ingrid Johnson, Sister Extended Family................................................................................................Brenda Timley, Devoted Friend Dwayne Tatum, Devoted Friend Friends........................................................................................................................Two minutes limit, please Music Selection........................................................................................................... CCOG Fellowship Choir Acknowledgments & Church Resolutions....................................... Sister Marlene Dunkley, Church Secretary Reading of the Life Reflection.........................................................................................Tyamba Lamie, Niece Words of Comfort.........................................................................................................Reverend James Pickens
Pastor Emeritus – Soundview Baptist Church, Bronx, NY
Reverend Dr. James Dargan Pastor Emeritus – Community Church of God, Newark, NJ
Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III
Reverend J-Anthony Dargan Senior Pastor – Congregational Church of God, New York, NY
Selection....................................................................................... Testimony by Brother Kevin Darnell Hopson “On My Way Home” (Video Received from Kevin on June 30, 2019) Loving Farewell................................................................................... Paul and Renee Johnson, Kevin’s Parents Celebrating His Best Life Closing Prayer & Benediction.......................................................................... Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III
Kevin Darnell Hopson was born on February 28, 1969 in New York City. Kevin to the late Charles Lee Hopson and Renee Johnson (Ray). Kevin became the eldest son in the family when Paul L. Johnson, Sr. married Renee Johnson in August 1977. Kevin begin his public school education in the Newark Public School system. He continued his education in the East Orange School District: Stockton Elementary School in 1979; William S. Hart Middle School in 1984 and graduating East Orange High School in 1987. Kevin was a carefree and precocious young man, never afraid to take on a challenge. He was an adventurer; he loved to dance, he loved to sing, he was well-liked, and he enjoyed the attention and admiration of family and friends. Kevin entered the U.S. Army in 1987 and served as a medic until he was honorably discharged in 1989. Kevin was gifted leader with many talents that allowed him to pursue a broad array of career interests. He was a medical transport driver for several medical delivery companies. Kevin was also a talented performer. He wrote and performed Gospel plays with the late Reverend Peter Winstead, Sr. at the Little Gospel Theatre in the City of Newark. He earned his CDL license and briefly drove a tractor trailer before obtaining a position as a tour driver with Gray Line Bus Tours in New York City. Kevin then received his license as a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in 2015. Shortly afterwards, he went to work as a Career Counselor at Samaritan Village until he found his niche at the Fed Cap Organization as a vocational counselor. Kevin was enrolled in Hotos Community College working on his Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. Kevin’s spiritual journey began in the Community Church of God, Newark, NJ under the leadership of our current Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Dr. James Dargan. He participated in the Youth Department and later, the Men’s Department. He later became a of member of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Newark, NJ (Reverend Dr. Elton T. Byrd). When Kevin moved to New York, he found a church home at the Soundview Baptist Church, Bronx, NY under the Pastorate of Reverend Marjorie Batson. He recommitted his life to Christ, was baptized on May 6, 2018 and faithfully attended Bible study and worship services. Kevin was grounded in his spiritual commitment at Soundview Baptist. He was a church leader, Bible student, co-chair of the Men’s Anniversary Program and a Deacon-In-Training, under the leadership of his Pastor Emeritus, Reverend James Pickens. God anointed Kevin’s call to the Diaconate when He provided an opportunity for Kevin to serve his first Communion, with Pastor Emeritus Pickens on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Reverend Arnold Batson was Kevin’s prayer partner and spiritual mentor. Kevin enjoyed singing to the Glory of God, often leading songs with the Soundview Church and Men’s Choirs. Kevin is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents: James Price and Ella Ray, Deacon Charles and Deaconess Jessie Hopson, and Bishop Namon Johnson; his father Charles Lee Hopson, and his sister, Catherine Danice Johnson. Kevin leaves to cherish his memory a beautiful daughter and grandson, Brittany Hopson and Elye Bradley; his parents, Paul L. Johnson, Sr., and Renee Ray Johnson; his brother, Paul L. Johnson, Jr., and 4 sisters, Courtney Renee Johnson, Wanda Michelle Munford, Ingrid Hayward Johnson, and Tiffany Hopson; his Grandmother, Mother Catherine Johnson, and his loving Aunt, Della Hopson-Ames (Alexander). In addition, there are 5 nieces: Tyamba Lamie, Shana Hopson, Michelle Munford, Danielle Munford, Kayla Hopson, and great-niece Samaya; 3 nephews: Charles Heyward, Christian Warren, and Malcolm Xavier Munford. Extended family members include: Dwayne Tatum, Brenda (Always) Timley and the Special Lady and Love of his Life, Nydia Millan; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and significant friends who were all an important part of Kevin’s amazing life. Thank you, Deacon Kevin Darnell Hopson. You fought a Good Fight. Through it all, “You Kept the Faith.” You Pressed Your Way.” You Found The Light and The Way. We will remember you singing, “Oh Lord, let the words
of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy Sight, Oh Lord.” Thank you for reminding us to “Repent of our sins and Be Baptized.” When we miss you singing down here, We Will Remember, “You Made It Home!”
December 25, 2018 To Our Son, Kevin A few years ago, Sister Mary Dargan gave your dad a song to learn for our Senior Choir Anniversary, which is the 3rd Sunday in September. The song is entitled, “What A Blessing In Jesus I’ve Found.” We took a CD of the song with us to West Middlesex and your dad worked on learning it, every day for a few weeks. When we returned to Newark, he sang the song perfectly. The song and its message truly resonated with your dad’s spirit and he has sung that song everywhere for everybody. When we consider what God has done for you, one can understand why that song has so much meaning for your dad. He uses that song to minister to people. The song clearly says that people don’t know what God has done for ME because one’s walk with God is truly a personal journey and everyone who takes that journey experiences it in very unique and personal ways. Each journey is different, tailored made and individualized! That’s what God has done in your life. He has taken you on a journey designed specifically, for you. He has prepared a work/ministry that only you can do. The Joy of this Christmas, for us, is to witness His miracle in your life. God never makes mistakes. Our Christmas is Blessed because our children are blessed. Everyone is doing well and We Thank God for ALL that He has done for us. What A Blessing to have you “home for Christmas.” What A Blessing to know that God has touched your life. What A Blessing to hear that you are productively employed. What A Blessing you are to our family! Continue to Be Blessed and continue to Be A Blessing. ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS. PEACE, LOVE, and PROSPERITY in 2019!
MOM and DAD
Change By Kevin Hopson As I think about my life today I know I need another way To change the things that I’ve been through, to start again, to start brand new. The hurt, the pain, the misery the change today must start with me. I must change the pain I’ve caused; I must strive for a bigger cause. To work to turn my life around, to seek success, it must be found. In things of worth, that must be true in things of love and real virtue.
The lies, the cheats, the selfish schemes The giving in to deceitful things. To change today I know I must, begin to seek in God I trust. To help me through my ups and downs, my lonely tears, my angry frowns. The heartbreak that I felt within, by giving in to worldly sin. So now it is, the things I’ve learned, to be aware and be concerned. The greater good of all mankind, Not yours is “mine” and “mine” is “mine.” Not all about just what I want, the selfishness I often flaunt. But start today, to think anew, of brighter days and skies of blue. Of healthy dreams and white-filled sands. And when all is lost or go astray, I seek God’s Will and begin to pray. For I know in Him my change will be, He restores me back to sanity. Those old ideas I considered fun, my hopes, my dreams, can now be won. I’ve learned to trust in tried and true; I’ve learned to trust the good in you. And through it all today I stand, a better friend—a better man. I thank God—To Him I pray for helping me to change today. And through it all—His Will be done, for I know today my change has come. PEACE AND BLESSINGS July 2012
Our Family would like to thank and acknowledge the kind and loving expressions of sympathy, the prayers, cards, phone calls, text messages, visitations and love that has been extended to our family during this difficult time. We especially thank our Community COG family and Kevin’s Soundview Baptist Church family for all that they have done to help us Celebrate A Life Well-Lived. Thank you, Reverend J-Anthony and First-Lady Madelin Dargan (MLDCommunications) for this beautiful Memorial Program and Sister Elizabeth Hull and Family for preparing our repast dinner.
HONORARY PALLBEARERS Malcolm Xavier Munford Christian Warren Rahman Smalls
Charles Hayward John Brown DeAndre Hopson
Program Design & Printing Entrusted To: MLD Communications - “The Very Best In Desktop Publishing For Over 25 Years” Reverend J-Anthony & Lady Madelin L. Dargan 62 Maple Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042 Phone: 973-783-6198 Email: mldcomm@aol.com