Rotary Program: Holy Week Services - Pikeville United Methodist Church

Sponsored by the Pikeville Ministerial Association

It has been a long-standing tradition for the Pikeville Rotary Club to observe Holy Week by attending the services at the United Methodist Church in downtown Pikeville and this year is no exception. Fellow Rotarian Rev. Mickey Anders, Pastor of the First Christian Church on Chloe Road welcomed the 300 or more in attendance and gave the announcements concerning the activities planned both for today and throughout the remainder of this week in observance of Easter. He asked the congregation to stand as Jerry Waddell provided the music and the crowd sang “Were You There?” Next, Mickey announced that the Praise Team from Faith Baptist Church at Myra, Kentucky would now perform a rendition of music and improvisation for us. It was truly a moving experience as they brought the songs to life with their interpretative motions. Then Mickey announced the speaker for today’s program.

James Browning, professor of Religion at Pikeville College, comes to Pikeville from Ingelwood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He spoke to us today from Hebrews, Chapter 12, verses 1-3. His message centered around the phrase that we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” and how they affect our lives and our ministries for the Lord. He spoke fondly of one of his professors in seminary, who recently passed away and how profoundly he had left an indelible mark on his life. From that experience, James said that he wanted to challenge us today to follow the admonition of St. Paul from the text to do three things: First, he reminded us that this great cloud of witnesses are ever urging us to go forward and keep moving in whatever endeavor we find ourselves in the spiritual race. To maintain that progress, we must lay aside any distraction, burden or baggage that might hinder our ability to run the race of life successfully. Secondly, we are to draw upon our patience and perseverance to continue even in the midst of the problems and pressures that we face each day of our lives. Finally, James urged us not to attempt this race alone. We have the promise of the companionship and resources of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has already gone before us to pioneer the way, having faced and conquered every obstacle that we will ever endure. As James closed in prayer, he spoke of his gratitude to God in being able to serve in our community and prayed earnestly for the blessings of God to be upon us all. With that benediction, the congregation was dismissed to the fellowship hall of the church to enjoy a delicious meal provided today by the First Baptist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church. - JMC