Bishop Craig Worsham
                                    Bishop Craig A. Worsham

With rejoicing and excitement, Bishop Craig A. Worsham and the members of People’s Independent Church of Christ are planning four days of events to mark their 101st anniversary.

The theme is “ Our Church: Growing Stronger, Growing Deeper, Reaching Higher” based on Isaiah 40:31.

“We are excited about the Lord allowing us to serve the greater Los Angeles Community by making the Word of God become flesh by providing tangible programs to minister the needs of both members and community,” said Bishop Worsham, senior pastor.

The celebration kicks-off with the Anniversary Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, October 8, at 10:30 a.m., in Gregg’s Hall on the PICC campus located at 5856 West Blvd. in Los Angeles. The free event is open to the public.

Family and Friends Day and Greek Sunday will be observed on Sunday, October 9, at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. The Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho sororities, and the Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and Iota Phi Theta fraternities will be recognized.

“We want to honoring the “Divine 9” for their service to the community and our young people,” said Worsham, who will preach at both services. The PICC Praise Ensemble will provide the music.

Also, the congregation will highlight October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and offer prayers for both survivors and those who have the disease. Tia Morris, author of “Mama’s Curse,” will attend the worship and sign copies of her book.

The celebration concludes on Sunday, October 16, at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services.

Forty-seven members of First A.M.E. Church founded People’s Independent on October 3, 1915, with the Reverend N.P. Greggs serving as the first pastor. Over the years, the church has spearheaded various community projects and assisted developing businesses such as the Golden State Life Insurance Co. and the Liberty Building and Loan Company.

Under Pastor Maurice Dawkins, the church constructed a seven-story housing complex on Adams Boulevard and St. Andrews Place in Los Angeles. In the 1950s, the Peoples Independent Federal Credit Union opened and still operates today

Currently, the church serves as the headquarters for the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) – L.A. Chapter and the Musicians in Action (MIA).

For more information, call the church office at (323) 296-5776.