CRCDS Black History Month Chapel Service Digital Program Book 02.26.2024

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship

ORDER OF SERVICE

Rev. Paula B. Blue VicePresidentforInstitutionalEffectiveness &ChiefOperatingOfficer

Dr. Courtney Wiley-Harris VicePresidentforInstitutionalAdvancement

Leader: Wearetroubledoneveryside,yetnotdistressed;persecuted,butnotforsaken;castdown,but notdestroyed.

People: Our history tells the story of a people whose faith in God, hope in the future, and love for one another sustains us through every generation.

Leader: Asyougaveourancestorsstrengthtofight,giveuspowertobreakthechainsofmass incarceration,votersuppression,racism,drugaddiction,homelessness,poverty,gunandgangviolence, andthesinsthatsoeasilybesetus.

People: As we gather, we remember the sacrifices and faith of our ancestors.

All: Guide our feet, focus our minds, and sustain our hearts as we serve this present age. Amen

Hymn: It Is Well With My Soul

Whenpeacelikeariver,attendethmyway

Whensorrowslikeseabillowsroll

Whatevermylot,thouhasttaughtmetosay

Itiswell,itiswell,withmysoul

Itiswell Withmysoul

Itiswell,itiswellwithmysoul

Opening Prayer

Ms. Joan Lane

Mr. Marvin Rogers

MemorialAMEZionChurch

ThoughSatanshouldbuffet,thoughtrialsshouldcome Letthisblestassurancecontrol

ThatChristhasregardedmyhelplessestate AndhathshedHisownbloodformysoul

Itiswell(itiswell)

Withmysoul(withmysoul)

Itiswell,itiswellwithmysoul

Mysin,oh,theblissofthisgloriousthought!

Mysin,notinpartbutthewhole

Isnailedtothecross,andIbearitnomore PraisetheLord,praisetheLord,omysoul!

Itiswell(itiswell)

Withmysoul(withmysoul)

Itiswell,itiswellwithmysoul

Rev. Jacqueline J. Nelson DirectorforStudentSupportServices CoordinatorforSpiritualCare

Introduction of the Speaker

Scripture Reading: Psalm 124: 1 - 8

Hymn: Take Your Burdens to the Lord and Leave Them There

Verse 1:

Iftheworldfromyouwithholdof itssilveranditsgold, Andyouhavetogetalong withmeagerfare, Justremember,inHisWord, howHefeedsthelittlebird, TakeyourburdentotheLord andleaveitthere.

Verse 2:

Ifyourbodysufferspainandyour healthyoucan’tregain, Andyoursoulisalmostsinkingindespair, Jesusknowsthepainyoufeel,HecansaveandHecanheal, TakeyourburdentotheLordandleaveitthere.

Verse 3:

Whenyourenemiesassailand yourheartbeginstofail, Don’tforgetthatGodinheavenanswersprayer; Hewillmakeawayforyou andwillleadyousafelythrough, TakeyourburdentotheLordandleaveitthere

Verse 4:

Whenyouryouthfuldaysaregoneandoldageisstealingon, Andyourbodybendsbeneath theweightofcare, Hewillneverleaveyouthen,He’llgowithyoutotheend, TakeyourburdentotheLordandleaveitthere

Sermon

Special Music

Intercessory Prayer

Benediction

Closing Remarks and Announcements

Mr. Michael Marshall

CRCDSMasterofDivinityStudent

Ms. Joan Lane

Mr. Marvin Rogers

MemorialAMEZionChurch

Refrain:

Leaveitthere,leaveitthere, TakeyourburdentotheLord andleaveitthere.

Ifyoutrustandneverdoubt, Hewillsurelybringyouout, TakeyourburdentotheLord andleaveitthere

Rev. James C. Simmons

SeniorPastor,BaberAMEChurch,Rochester,NY

Ms. Joan Lane

Mr. Marvin Rogers

MemorialAMEZionChurch

Rev. Julius “JD” Jackson, Jr., CRCDS ‘13 Pastor,UnitedChurchofPittsford

Rev. James C. Simmons

Rev. Jacqueline J. Nelson

Our Mission

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School forms students in theological and multi-religious studies to serve, care, and advocate for all peoples and the earth.

ABOUT TODAY’S PREACHER:

Rev. James C. Simmons

The Reverend James C Simmons is the Senior Pastor of Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rochester, New York, and chairman of Rise Up Rochester, Incorporated. Born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Reverend Simmons is a cum laude graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC with a bachelor’s in political science with a concentration in Public Administration and Policy and certification in nonprofit management. Reverend Simmons further received his Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary at American University in Washington, DC.

Preaching since age 9, Reverend Simmons was appointed pastor of Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church, on June 18, 2010. His pastoral tenure is credited with Baber’s financial and administrative resurrection: four mortgages have been paid off and the church is now 100% debt free. Other accomplishments include the establishment of the Garden District Development Corporation, hosting four annual conferences, completing numerous capital projects, and creating multiple new ministries.

Reverend Simmons is the chairman of the board of directors of Rise Up Rochester, Incorporated, a nonprofit that provides support to crime victims and their families. In his tenure, Rise Up Rochester, Incorporated has expanded from an all volunteer operation to a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a full and parttime staff.

In the Western New York Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Simmons is its treasurer, Chairman of the Board of Examiners, and Board of Trustees. He is the past secretary of the First Episcopal District Self-Help Board of Directors.

Prior to his appointment to Baber, Reverend Simmons pastored Bethel A.M.E. Church in Schenectady, New York and served as Minister to Youth and Young Adults at Ward Memorial A.M.E. Church, Washington, DC, under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Dr. Conrad K Pridgen.

Reverend Simmons’ ministry has also been evident in other arenas. He is an adjunct professor at Monroe Community College He was an early childhood educator in Washington, DC and was a chaplain intern at the Petersburg Federal Prison. In high school, he served as the first African American president of the largest student vocational organization in the state of Pennsylvania – the Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America – with a membership in excess of 12,000.

Each day Reverend Simmons strives to live out his favorite scripture: “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”