Background Information on 5649 Christian Street Church Building The church began in 1927 as a German Lutheran Church – Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Church engaged in various social and religious events aimed at its youth, including providing summer camp. Immanuel Lutheran Church was a gathering hub for youth with its Police Athletic League in the basement, its recreation and education programs, a soup kitchen and its one-time large youth group - the Lutheran League. The Immanuel Lutheran Church with its Pastor, Rev. Derric Jackson held its last service in the edifice on Sunday, August, 23, 2009. The congregation graciously arranged for the Ebenezer Temple Pentecostal Church to acquire the property via a sales agreement with KJ Commercial Realty on October 26, 2009. The Editor/Publisher of Westside Weekly, Tyree Johnson in his August 28 – September 3, 2009 Publication included an article entitled, “A New Season for Immanuel” commented “The church that began as a German congregation in 1927 ended its mission here as a nearly all-African American congregation in 2009.” Pastor Juanita Rivers would have liked to add that the mission of Immanuel Lutheran Church hasn’t ended, she and her congregation plan to carry the torch. This building, while it is undergoing major renovations, is alive, vibrant and eager to render service to the surrounding community afresh. (The pictures depicted are during Immanuel Lutheran Church early years.)
EBENEZER TEMPLE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, INC ETPC exists to facilitate the process of bringing about holistic individuals (physically, socially, mentally, economically and spiritually). ETPC was a promise and vision that took almost ten years to actualize. ETPC’s conception began in 1992 when the Lord called Elder Juanita D. Rivers to the role of Shepherdess/Pastor. She struggled with the calling and finally in January 1997 to submitted to God’ preordained Sovereign Will and waited on God to perfect the vision for this pastoral assignment. Juanita D. Rivers’ passion is to increase God’s kingdom and decrease the kingdom of darkness. In June 2000, her Pastor, Bishop Keith M. Thomas, and the Beulah Tabernacle Pentecostal Church, INC. graciously imparted 5552 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA building to Pastor Rivers. This building became Ebenezer Temple Pentecostal Church, Inc. (ETPC). Pastor Rivers was ordained as Pastor on January 17, 2001 and held services in her home until such time as the physical edifice renovations allowed inhabiting. Her first member other than her spouse, Elder David Rivers was a faithful friend of over twenty-eight years, the late Elder Alma White. After extensive rehabilitation and much fasting and prayer, the first service was held February 25, 2001 with Bishop Maureen L. Davis and her congregation – Open Door Mission True Light Church, Inc. as well as Pastor River’s former Pastor, Bishop Keith M. Thomas, his congregation and another faithful friend, Pastor Janet B. Thomas and her spouse, Robert Thomas and a host of family and friends. The church began with 15 adult members plus children. After five years of ministry, ETPC blessed Pastor Thomas and the Beulah Tabernacle Church for its generosity with a $20,000 love offering.
Vision
ETPC was the fulfillment of God’s promise that Elder and Pastor Rivers would minister to those individuals within the area surrounding the church. This economically deprived urban area lies within the census tract 007200 and Ward 51 Council District 3. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics for the year 2000, the high school graduation rate is 69.8%; median household income in 1999 was $25,826; 26.1% individuals (22.6% of families) live below the poverty level. In the City of Philadelphia, 22.9% individuals (18.4% families) live below the poverty level. Pastor Rivers adopted John Perkins ministry model of living within the church community so that the needs met are more aligned with those of the community. Hence, ETPC’s goal is to assist these residents by: - Developing a summer program to enrich/improve literacy skills (Math/English) for students in grades 3 to 6 - Develop a job training institute - Develop day-care facility - Offer an after school program to assist with homework and other needs based on special projects, to alleviate burden for single parents - Offer computer training so that residents have access to technology to keep pace with the current technological enhancements. - Financial counseling - Mentoring/Training Program for Youth ETPC, a small yet growing church, exists to facilitate the process of bringing about holistic individuals (mentally, physically, intellectually, socially, economically and spiritually). ETPC has maintained a vibrant free income tax preparation program since January 2002. Last year over 1,050 federal individual income tax returns were prepared and nearly $2 millions refund dollars were returned to those filers. ETPC holds an annual Building Strong Families Conference whereby ETPC host a free picnic in the park for the community where there is a barbecue, games, street evangelism, testimonies of deliverance, soulful singing, praise dancing, etc. During it evangelistic efforts seven souls were welcome into the kingdom of God during the 2009 conference.
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Service Of Dedication Sunday, February 28, 2010
3:30 P.M. Processional Victory March Processional from 5552 Baltimore Avenue .......................................................... FLAGS Worshippers of God Community Base Association Song of Praise .................................................................................. To God Be The Glory Prayer of Thanksgiving .................................................................. Elder David E. Rivers Presentation of Keys ........................................................................ Pastor Derric Jackson Ribbon Cutting ................................................. Elder David and Pastor Juanita D. Rivers 4:00 P.M. Praise and Worship Melody ......................................................................Voices of Praise Grand Procession (Processional of Visiting Clergy, Choir, Pastors of Gates of Heaven Assembly of Churches, Pastor, Clergy and Members of Ebenezer Temple Pentecostal Church, and Episcopal Processional) Call to Worship ........................................................................... Pastor Janet B. Thomas, Collick Missionary Church, Philadelphia, PA “The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.” “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.” “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, He will hear their cry.” Hymn of Praise – “Holy, Holy, Holy” Invocation ........................................................................................... Elder Merlean Huff Scripture Reading (Congregation Standing) – Psalm 24 ............... Bishop Loraine Ware “Great is Thy Faithfulness” .......................................................... Mother Joyce Thomas
Psalm 24 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek Him; that seek Thy face, O Jacob. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of Glory shall come it. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord might in battle. Lift up your head, O ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Host, He is the King of Glory.
The Act of Dedication
(Officials and ETPC Members standing) Pastor – Having been prospered by the good hand of our God, and enabled by His grace and power to present this house of worship to be used for the glory of His name, we will now in His holy presence dedicate this building to God. To the glory of God our Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift. To the honor of Jesus Christ, His Son, our Lord and Savior: To the praise of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, source of light and life. Officials (Led by Elder David E. Rivers) – We, the officers of this church and congregation, recognizing that there has been committed to us a sacred trust, relying upon God for wisdom and strength, do solemnly covenant together, to sacredly guard, uphold and perpetuate the Scriptural doctrines and principles upon which the church is founded and by which it has been maintained through all its history down to the present day; that we will study the peace and unity of this church to the end that this house may ever serve for the assembling together of the rich and the poor for the worship of Him who is the maker of us all; for the preaching of the Word of God in its fullness; and for the proclamation of our Lord Jesus Christ as the only Savior of men. (Congregation will rise) Pastor – O God eternally and ever blessed, who delightest in the assembling of Thy people in the sanctuary: receive us graciously as we come into thy house, and grant, we entreat Thee, that peace and prosperity may be found within its walls, that the glory of God may be the Light thereof, and that we may be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house: through Jesus Christ our Lord. – AMEN. Congregation – Direct us, O Lord, in all our doing, with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy name, and finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. –AMEN. Pastor – Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity; three persons and one God: Congregation responding – To Thee we dedicate this house. Pastor – Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Father which art in heaven: Congregation – To Thee we dedicate this house.
Pastor –Son of God, the only begotten of the Father, head of the body which is the church: head over all things to the church; prophet, priest and king; whose glorious appearing shall be to all people; Congregation – To Thee we dedicate this house. Pastor – God, the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son; given to be our abiding teacher, sanctifier and comforter,; Lord and giver of life: Congregation – To Thee we dedicate this house. Pastor – For the worship of God in prayer and praise; for the preaching of the everlasting gospel; for the celebration of the Holy Sacraments. Congregation – We dedicate this house. Pastor – For comfort to those who mourn; for strength to those who are tempted; for the instruction and training of children and youth; for the sending forth of the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. Congregation – We dedicate this house. Pastor – For the conversion of sinners; For the promoting of righteousness; For the perfecting of the saints Congregation – We dedicate this house. Pastor – In gratitude for the labors of all who love and serve this church; in loving remembrance of those who have finished their course – especially to the memory of Thy faithful servant, Elder Alma R. White; in the hope of a blessed immortality through Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation – We now, the people of this church and congregation, compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses, grateful for our heritage, aware of the sacrifice of our fathers in the faith, confessing that apart from us their work cannot be made perfect. Do dedicate ourselves to the worship and service of Almighty God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pastor – Arise O Lord, into Thy rest. Thou and the ark of Thy strength. Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let Thy people shout for joy. Put Thy name in this place. Let Thine eyes be open toward it; and hearken unto the supplications of Thy people when they pray in this place, and hear Thou in heaven, Thy dwelling place, and when Thou hearest, forgive. Congregation – Amen
Prayer of Dedication ...............................................................Bishop Keith M. Thomas MINISTRY OF GIVING Introduction of Speaker.............................................................. Musical Selection....................................................................Open Door Mission Choir DEDICATORY SERMON....................................................Bishop Maureen L. Davis Presiding Prelate of Gates of Heaven Assembly of Churches, Philadelphia, PA Discipleship Prayer Closing Remarks Recessional Benediction RECEPTION - LOWER LEVEL FELLOWSHIP HALL
“A FRIEND’S LOVE LASTS A LIFE TIME” My Dearest Alma, though it was has been nearly four years since you slipped away on that unforgettable day December 2, 2006, it continues to be painful living without you. Transitioning to this new edifice has made it even more devastating functioning without your wise counsel, determined spirit and ever smiling face. When life seems overwhelming or incredibly funny, I continue to pick up the phone and attempt to share the moment with you; only to be sadly reminded that you don’t live here anymore. The love you extended was so precious. I miss your phone calls in the middle of my work day saying “God laid you on my heart and I just want you to know I’m praying for you.” I’m retired now and wish so desperately that we could share these days together. Your address is now HEAVEN, a place where there is no more death or sorrow and God Himself has wiped the tears from your eyes. Thanks for being my best friend; I miss you. Ebenezer Temple Pentecostal Church celebrates this dedicatory day remembering you and praising God for the privilege of knowing and loving you. Love Always, Your Pastor & Friend Juanita D. Rivers