Pastor Jerry, Shirley Holt to celebrate 15 years at Liberty Southern Sunday

Liberty Southern Baptist Church, 1616 S. Jackson, will celebrate 15 years with Pastor Jerry Holt and wife Shirley at 11 a.m. Sunday. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service.

Holt was born in Enid and loves to joke and say that his undergraduate studies were at Monroe and Emerson, and he received his post-graduate studies at Enid High School.

Actually, he later returned to Enid and graduated from Phillips Theological Seminary.

Two of his most interesting ministries over the years have been the “Reach a Friend” program, which aired on PEGASYS for 13 years, with co-host Ken Fischer. Then, the volunteer ministry to the Enid Community Correction Center has provided an opportunity for the church to be involved in the lives of the inmates.

Everyone is welcome to attend.



Movie night slated at Zion Lutheran

The inspirational movie, “Soul Surfer,” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont. There is no admission charge and no charge for popcorn and drinks. The PG-rated movie tells the true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack, and courageously overcame all odds through determination and faith to become a champion surfer again.

The film’s all-star cast features AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood and Dennis Quaid. In the wake of the life-changing event that took her arm and nearly her life, Bethany’s feisty fortitude and steadfast faith spur her toward an adventurous comeback that turns her loss into a gift for others.



University Place to celebrate African-American History Month

A “Musical Extravaganza” celebrating African-American History Month 2013 will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in University Place Christian Church.

The musical will feature several choirs from Enid and Oklahoma City. Special guest is Langston University’s Concert Choir, under the directorship of Ms. Bonita Franklin. “If you have not heard these melodious voices,” said Dr. Thelma Chambers-Young, pastor of the University Place Christian Church, “you are in for an extra special treat. If you have heard them, then you will know that you will need to arrive early to claim your seat.”

Under the leadership of former Pastor Jerry R. Galbreath, University Place has commemorated African-American History Month with a gospel fest. However, this tradition has been dormant for a few years. Pastor Chambers said “Music is the language of the soul. It resonates with the spirit within and is understood and appreciated by all ethnicities. I am hopeful, that those of us who are a part of this celebration will become accustomed to celebrating African-American Heritage Month as a community with music on an annual basis, as well as other educational endeavors.”

African-American/Black History Month celebrates the contributions of African-Americans to American history and culture. Black History Month was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African-American historian, scholar, educator and publisher, and it was first known as “Negro History Week.” It later became Black History Week.

It became a month-long recognized celebration in 1976, and the month of February was selected as it coincides with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.

President Gerald Ford started the tradition of issuing messages on the observance of Black History Month, but it wasn’t until 1986, when Congress approved it and President Ronald Reagan signed into law the first proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month, that it was a legally recognized commemorative event.

“It is especially fitting that we celebrate this year, as 2013 marks the 150th and 50th year anniversaries, respectively, of the Emancipation Proclamation decreed by President Abraham Lincoln, which was signed Jan. 1, 1863, and the March on Washington, led by the late Dr. Martin L. King Jr., which took place a full century later in 1963,” Pastor Chambers said.

As UPCC sponsors this celebratory music extravaganza commemorating these and other historical accomplishments, neighbors and friends are invited to share the occasion.

This event is free and open to the public.