|
In
The News
  NORTH
STELTON CELEBRATES
20 YEARS
OF PASTORAL SERVICE
Recently,
the North Stelton A.M.E. Church proudly celebrated with
their beloved Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Saunders, Sr., 20
years of pastoral and community service. The theme for the
celebration came from one of Pastor Saunders favorite
scriptures, John 9:4: “Working While It’s Yet Day.”
We give praises and honor to the Almighty for not only
sending us a God-fearing and wise Pastor, but we are truly
blessed with a loving First Family. Our First Lady,
Sister Shirley is a warm and friendly virtuous woman; and
our First Son, Brother Kenny, is a kind and
considerate gentleman.
Planning for the anniversary festivities was spearheaded by
Co-Chairpersons Brother Michael Griffith, Vice- Chair
Steward Board; Brother Leslie Slade, Pastor’s Steward; and,
Sister Wanda Finley, Vice-Chair Trustee Board. The
sanctuary overflowed as the celebration began on Sunday
afternoon, April 26th with a high-spirited worship service.
The services opened with songs of Praise and Worship led by
the Bethel A.M.E. Church Choir of Madison along with their
Pastor, the Rev. Teresa L. Rushdan. Bethel Madison was Rev.
Saunders' first pastoral appointment in New Jersey. The
Liturgical Dance Ministry from Pastor Saunders’ childhood
church, Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church of Jersey City,
participated in the service as well. The Youth of North
Stelton also paid tribute to their Pastor through song,
liturgical dance and through the art of “stepping.” The
guest preacher for this auspicious occasion was none other
than that dynamic orator, the Rev. Dr. DeForest (Buster)
Soaries, Jr., Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln
Gardens, Somerset.
Worship
services continued on Wednesday, April 29th and Thursday,
April 30th, with guest preachers the Rev. Dr. Larry Dixon,
Pastor of Mt. Teman A.M.E. in Elizabeth and the Rev. Dr.
Ronald Owens, Pastor of New Hope Baptist in Metuchen,
respectively. The guest worship leaders for these services,
Pastor Laverne Ball of Rose of Sharon Community Church and
Pastor W. Golden Carmon of Mt. Zion A.M.E., both of
Plainfield, were inspiring and enthusiastic. Indeed we had
a high time in the Lord.
On Saturday, May 2nd,
North Stelton continued the celebration with the 20th
Pastoral Anniversary Luncheon and Roast at the Galloping
Hill Inn in Union. Over 300 special guests including many of
our parishioners, numerous pastors and ministers from
various churches, family members, co-workers and long-time
friends of our First Family attended the gala event.
Dignitaries included Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler, Senator
Ronald Rice; Assemblymen Upendra Chivukula, Former
Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, and members of both the
Piscataway and Middlesex Democratic Organizations. Roast
Master, Rev. Dr. J. Stanley Justice, Pastor of Greater Mt.
Zion A.M.E. in Trenton, did an excellent job at keeping the
program moving and on point with some outlandish quips and
stories that kept the audience amused. There were many
laughs at Pastor's expense as well as many touching and
somber moments. Guests were able to catch a glimpse into
Pastor's childhood through the eyes of his siblings, Sisters
Gladys Pegeron and Yvonne Rolley, and Brother Charles
Saunders. Other Roasters included Peter J. Barnes, Retired
Chairman of the NJ State Parole Board and the Rev. Howard T.
Grant, Presiding Elder Newark District. One of the
highlights of the afternoon happened when guests were
serenaded by the melodious voices of the Singing Pastors of
Piscataway. To our delight, the guest of honor, Pastor
Saunders joined in and blessed us with his signature song,
"Hello Christian”.
The Anniversary
Committee also produced a celebratory journal with over 108
pages of heartwarming tributes and accolades to the First
Family honoring 20 years of dedicated service to both church
and community.
Just when we thought
things could not get any better, on Sunday, May 3 rd, The
Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris, Presiding Prelate of
the First Episcopal District along with Mother Mary A.
Norris, Presiding Elder M. Lloyd and Mrs. Guyton, Presiding
Elder Howard T. and Mrs. Grant, and the North Stelton
congregation all joined Mayor Wahler, Freeholder Millie
Scott and Piscataway Council President Michael Griffith as
we ushered Pastor Saunders and Sister Shirley outside in the
rain to witness the unveiling of a brand new street sign on
the corner of Ethel Road and Craig Avenue, naming that
location the Rev. Kenneth L. Saunders, Sr. Square.
Pastor was both surprised and humbled. What a fitting honor
for such a deserving man!
The Anniversary
Celebration culminated with our Sunday Worship and Communion
Service. We were blessed and honored to have Bishop Norris
to bring the Morning Message and to share in the sacrament
of Holy Communion. Bishop Norris preached a rich sermon
from the Old Testament Book of Exodus, Chapter 4. His
sermon topic: “Check Out What You Have in Your Hand.” God
walked among His people during this service and throughout
the entire anniversary celebration.
Rev. Saunders and the
First Family have been in Piscataway for 20 years. However,
his pastoral ministry began in 1967 with his first
appointment to Bethel A.M.E. Church in Bermuda where he was
Pastor until his return to the United States as the Pastor
of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Madison, NJ. In April of 1989,
the now retired Bishop Frank C. Cummings appointed Pastor
Saunders to serve at North Stelton where many, many
ministries and organizations have flourished under his
direction and pastoral leadership.
Rev. Dr. Saunders has
received numerous honors and awards. He is very proud to
have received the First Baptist Community Development
Corporation (FBCDC) Legacy Leadership Award and the Baptist
Ministers Conference of Hudson County Award. In addition,
Pastor Saunders was recently honored with the Community
Partner Award by St. Peters University Hospital, New
Brunswick, NJ. He has received accommodations from
Governor Jon Corzine, Congressman Pallone, and the NAACP
just to name a few. One of his most cherished honors,
however, is his 2008 appointment to the Episcopal Committee
of the A.M.E. Church.
Pastor, we at North
Stelton salute you and cherish you and wish you many more
years in the ministry. Our prayer is that God continues to
bless you and your family.
|
