On Sunday, April 18, Pastor Jackquline Maye, along with congregants and guests, virtually celebrated the 115th anniversary of Phillips Chapel CME Church. Phillips Chapel is the first CME church organized in California. The ministry was designated as one of Santa Monica’s historical landmarks on October 10, 2005. “For 115 years Phillips Chapel pastors and congregants have been spreading the Gospel, making disciples, and serving the community,” said a spokesperson.
Gospel artist Shawn McLemore blessed attendees with “I Believe” and “Grateful” among other selections. The Rev. Marshall Sharpe, elder of the Los Angeles District of the CME Church, introduced the Right Rev. Paul A. Stewart, the 50th bishop of the CME Church and presiding prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District, as speaker.
Stewart proclaimed, “It’s an inside and an outside job,” as he outlined that Christians need divine compassion on the inside to be instruments of God on the outside. He said that such instruments can be used anywhere to serve anybody without discrimination.
“A compassionate instrument that is loving, energized, inspired, concerned, and productive is only divinely created by God,” concluded Stewart.
