At the Alter - On my knees at the end of 2012

New Year's Eve is a time of year for great celebration.  It is the end of something that was and will never be again.  It is a time to stop, take a look back, and reflect on lessons learned.  It is also a time to celebrate accomplishments, and remember those we love that are no longer with us.

For Christians New Year's Eve, is not just a day to prepare for parties, and an evening at Time's Square in New York City, or parties, but it is a time to attend church and thank the Lord for his blessings and pray for the year ahead.  In the African American community, this service is called "Watch Night Service" and 150 years ago on December 31, 1862,  they were watching and praying in their churches for freedom to come.  January 1, 1963 it did when president Abraham Lincoln signed his Emancipation Proclamation.

Today is the 150th Anniversary of President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation setting slaves free forever in the United States.  There is much controversy about this document and Lincoln's intentions, and even a celebration called Juneteenth because slaves in Texas did not learn of their freedom until June 19th, but the fact remains he wrote and signed the document into law.



The National Archives is celebrating this milestone by having the Emancipation Proclamation on display New Years Day weekend and hosting a number of programs.  It struck me as I watched the Oriels baseball team's sponsored Baltimore New Year's Eve Celebration that an African American woman, who was an honored guest of program, is the leader of this major east coast city, in part because of President Lincoln.  Could he, or any one of his time  imagine that by 2012, Baltimore would not have one, but two African American women mayors.  I truly doubt it, I don't think President Lincoln's vision was that vast or forward thinking, but that does not matter, he took one step in the right direction and it was a big one.  His step is documented, debated, and celebrated, but the end of slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement would not have been possible if  steps of many famous, and unknown men, women, and children from all over our great country and world, had not ben taken.  It takes each of us to make a difference.

I was at church last night.  We had two services and my friend and I decided to attend the 6:30 pm service.  We got there at 6:30 pm, but it took us 15 minutes to get inside the church.  There were so many people at that service that we had to park in the American Red Cross parking lot and be shuttled to our church.  Once inside, we were informed that the sanctuary, that seats 4,000, was completely full.  We had to go downstairs and sit in the Chapel and watch the service on a big screen.

I was so disappointed.  I live a long way from my church, and watching the service on a big screen was just not the same as being in the sanctuary.  There were so many children where we were, and children can seldom sit still, and since we were in the overflow room people in general were a bit distracted.  We were sitting up front so I was able to pretty much tune out all the movement, noise, and distractions and focus on the service.

I enjoyed the service, the music was surround sound, loud, clear, and beautiful.  Bishop Thomas preached a powerful sermon that he titled "Safety Net."  Once he finished his sermon, people started to walk out of the Chapel.  This is a critical time in the service when everyone should be still.  Alter call follows the sermon.  This is when the pastor opens the doors of the church and invites all those who are not saved and do no have a church home, to come to the alter and give their lives to Christ and/or join the church.  When people walk out during this time of service it greatly distracts those who are in the midst of making a decision.  It is at this time of the service, more than any other that the people in the church are praying.  It is better to leave the service during the sermon than the alter call.

Bishop welcomed those who responded to alter call and the new members ministry time took them to the room of welcome.  Then Bishop Thomas opened the alter for prayer.  Our last corporate prayer for 2012.  Since my friend and I were in the Chapel and so many people had already left, I decided to go to the alter in the Chapel.  I got down on my knees and my friend kneeled right next to me.  When I thought of all that happened in 2012, I was struck numb.  I could not pray, all I could do was kneel, and bow my head.  Bishop Thomas prayed, and even though he as on big screen upstairs, since I was at the alter, the most anointed and powerful place in the church, I allowed his prayer to be my prayer.  It was beautiful and just what I needed.  As he prayed I began to cry.  Soft at first, but then the tears came like a flood.  My friend put her arms around me and held me as Bishop Thomas prayed on.  She helped me stand when the prayer was over.  I left pain, hurt, disappointment, and despair at the alter last night.  My tears washed them all away, and the prayer gives me joy and strength to face 2013.  In Bishop Thomas' words, "We got this!"

Remember no matter what happens in 2013, God is your "Safety Net" and that "You Got This."  Happy New Year!  Be blessed in 2013.

Bible Verse  and Bishop Thomas' Scripture Reference for last night's sermon.

Deuteronomy 33:27-28

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ The eternal God is your refuge,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
    saying, ‘Destroy them!’
²⁸ So Israel will live in safety;
    Jacob will dwell^[a] secure
in a land of grain and new wine,
    where the heavens drop dew.