Pastor’s Corner - June 2008

My Dearly Beloved Family and Partners in the LORD’s Work:

We greet you once more as we embark upon the month of June, the midpoint of the year, 2008.

The past month was rich, spirit-filled and rewarding in every way. It was a most busy month, highlighted by the following:

On the 3^rd Sunday of last month we celebrated our “Annual Women’s Day Service” with one of our former members Mrs. Rose Warren-Simpson as Speaker. It was a great time of Worship, Praise, and Celebration. We are most grateful to our Women’s Day Leaders, Sis. Constance Stanley, and Sis. Maye Helen Leffall, along with the fine cadre of Captains and Co-Captains, and the women of our church for what each did to ensure the spiritual and financial success of Women’s Day, 2008. Our hats are off to Sis. Doris Austin our Woman of the Year 2008, a dedicated and faithful Servant of God, she is a great inspiration to all of us.

The month of June is now before us, and we do solicit your prayers and support for our special Services and activities. We call your particular attention to the following:

Our Annual Children’s/Youth Emphasis Service on next Sunday at 11:00 A.M. Our own Rev Charles Williams Jr., will be Preaching; and music will be provided by the Tabettes and our new Young Adults Choir. Also, there will be participation by our Children and Youth in every aspect of the Service, under the direction of our very capable Youth Church Leadership. God is richly blessing our Youth Church Ministry.

We salute all of our June Graduates. We are mighty proud of you, and we plan to honor all of our Graduates the latter part of June or early July.

Let us continue to be in prayer for our sick and shut-in, bereaved, military persons, and for suffering humanity locally, nationally, and throughout the world. We pray for God’s continued favor upon both you and yours. I remain ……………

Faithfully Yours,

Pastor R.M. Leffall, III

Annual Children’s/Youth Day Service

CHARLES LENNON WILLIAMS, JR. was born on April 8, 1968 in Fullerton, CA to the union of Charles Lennon Williams, Sr. and Clara Williams. He professed his hope in Christ at an early age.

He received his Associates Degree from Cerritos College in 2000, and was awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2002. He is currently employed as a paralegal with the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office.

He is the father of three dear children, D’von 13, Mikayla 9, and Charles 8.

Charles united with the Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church in 2007, and was ordained February 10th, 2008.  We look forward to his message on our Annual Children’s & Youth Day Service.

Join us June 8th @ 11:00 a.m. during our Morning Worship Service for this very special day at our church.

The Tab Slates Annual Women’s Day Service

The Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church located in the very heart of the “Greater Watts Community” of our city, celebrates its “Annual Women’s Day Service” on Sunday May 18^th, at the 11:00 A.M. Morning Worship Service.

Under the general theme: “Women of Faith Standing Firm With Confidence and Hope”, the women of the “TAB” have banded together to make this a rich and rewarding day of worship, praise and celebration. Mrs. Rose Warren-Simpson, a retired educator as well as a former member of the “TAB” who now resides in Granbury, Texas, will be the Guest Speaker. Said a spokesperson, she is indeed multi-talented, gifted and dynamic person and you will be blessed to hear this anointed vessel of God.

A most special highlight of each year’s “Annual Service” is the naming of Tabernacle’s Woman of the Year For 2008. Said a spokesperson, this years honoree is a longtime loyal, faithful and dedicated member of the “TAB” and enjoys the esteem, respect and admiration of the entire congregation.

Mrs. Maye Helen Leffall and Mrs. Constance Stanley serve as Co-Chairpersons along with a fine compliment of Captains and Co-Captains. Ms. Madge Lytle serves as Honorary Co-Chair, and. Dr. Gwen Smith-Taylor serves as Music Director for Women’s Day.

Dr. Reginald M. Leffall is Senior Pastor and along with the Women’s Day leadership extend a most cordial invitation to the Los Angeles Church community to attend this Service. The Church is located at 11328 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles.

Bio Information for our Speaker

Rose N. Warren Simpson was born in Forth Worth, Texas, daughter of the Late Rev. E. E. and Mrs. Eula Mae Warren. She was educated in the Fort Worth School System and graduated from Kirkpatrick High School. She became a Christian at an early age and was active in Sunday School, BYPU and the local Sunday School and BYPU Congresses.

Rose Warren Simpson attended Bishop College for two years, where she was a classmate of Pastor R.M. Leffall. She transferred to North Texas State University, where she received her B.A. Degree. She later received her M.A. Degree from North Texas, and after moving to Los Angeles she received her M.S. Degree in Library Studies from California State University, Los Angeles.

Rose Simpson taught high school English in Forth Worth, Texas and in Los Angeles, California. She later became a Middle School Librarian and taught as an English adjunct professor for telve years at Los Angeles Southwest College. In 2002, she retired after 35 years of public education.

She was an active member of Pilgrim Baptist Church for 31 years, and in 2001, after she united in matrimony to Rev. Maurice Simpson, she united with Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church. Throughout the years, she has served in a numerous leadership roles in the church: Mission Circle Chairperson, 1st and 2nd Vice President of the Missionary Department, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, program chairperson for the Women’s Department of the Providence District Association, and chairperson of the Ministers’ and Deacons’ Wives Auxiliary.

Rev. and Mrs. Simpson moved back to Texas in 2006, where she is currently a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. She serves as the Youth Director, Vacation Bible School Director and Sunday School Teacher.

Rose Simpson is a Diamond Life member f the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is the mother of two, grandmother of four, and a dedicated worker in the vineyard of the Lord.

Pastor’s Corner - May 2008

My Dearly Beloved Family and Partners In This Ministry:

God has spared both you and me to cross over to a brand new month. ONE MORE DAY, ONE MORE CHANCE TO BE ABOUT OUR LORD’S WORK, in AIM, in PURPOSE, in ACTION, and HOLY PURPOSE. The question that confronts us as a people of God, is WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS PRECIOUS OPPORTUNITY? It is my prayer that each member will respond to the challenge by saying, “O BLESSED SAVIOR, COUNT ON ME”.

In the Scripture cited above the venerable man of God, Joshua, gave these words as Israel was about to cross Jordan. He encouraged them to put a “PEP” in their “STEPS” as they were about to achieve a long sought goal. “CONSECRATE” he said, for tomorrow God will do wonders among you. These awesome words ring out to the TAB family, because God wants to move our Church both ONWARD and UPWARD in His Works. God would have us to move from mere MEMBERSHIP to DISCIPLESHIP. LET US MAKE THE GREAT LEAP BY THE POWER OF GOD FROM USUAL “CHURCH WORK” TO GOD’S WORK, FOR ONLY WHAT WE DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.

The month of May is now before us. May will be a most busy month, and we do solicit your unstinted prayers and support for all of our Services and special activities. We do call your particular attention to our ‘Annual Women’s Day Service’ on the 3^rd Sunday Morning with our former member, Sis. Rose Warren-Simpson as our Guest speaker. Our leadership, Sister Maye Helen Leffall and Sister Constance Stanley, the Co-Chairs, along with the cadre of Captain and Co-Captains ask that you support Women’s day with your prayers and financial support. Because of health problems, our dear member Sis. Madge Lytle is unable to serve as Co-Chairperson this year, and we are grateful to Sis. Natalie Fisher for volunteering to stand in the “GAP” for Madge. Keep in mind, that All Funds received for Women’s Day are earmarked for our ongoing Building Fund Improvement Projects.

Finally, let us continue to lift up with our most unselfish prayers our many, many sick and shut in, bereaved, our own members in the Armed Forces, and of course for suffering humanity everywhere.

May God continue to bestow His highest favor upon both you and yours. I remain…

Faithfully Yours,

Pastor R.M. Leffall, III

New Photos from our Jamaica Mission

Rev. Warian Adassa Gabbidon (Minister in Charge) Pastor

Basil Gabbidon Head Deacon

Rev & Deacon Gabbidon

Corrections…

In case anyone was reading our Pastor’s letter for the 1st Sunday of April, there was a typo that Needed to be fixed; The word is DEED, not DEAD.

This typo has been fixed on our Pastor’s Corner Blog; please re-read his message to you, and be blessed.

The 20th Annual Women’s Prayer Breakfast coming soon!

Please visit the home page of our website for information on our upcoming 20th Annual Women’s Prayer Breakfast - featuring guest Speaker Rev. Mary Minor.

Reverend Mary S. Minor is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the oldest African American Christian denomination in America since 1994.

Presently, she serves as the Pastor of Murph Chapel/St. Paul AME Church in Valinda, where she received this third pastoral assignment in October 2006 by Bishop John Richard Bryant.

For 14 years, Rev. Minor served under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray at First AME Church, Los Angeles (FAME) and its affiliate corporations. At FAME, Rev. Minor served in a variety of ministerial and corporate positions, including Minister of Youth, Planning and Development Officer, and Program Director.

Her education (professional and academic) includes:

• Master of Arts in Religion, Claremont School of Theology
• Bachelor of Arts in Religion, University of LaVerne.
• Certificates of Completion, Grantsmanship Training Program and Strategic Fund Raising Training Program.

Rev. Minor produced and/or contributed to several publications:

• In 1998, A Ration of Compassion: A Sermonic Interlude. In Garth Baker-Fleacher (Ed.), Black Religion After the Million Man March, Orbis Books
• From 1997 to 1999, Contributing Writer in Precepts for Living, the Urban Ministries Sunday School Commentary. Chicago: Urban Ministries, Inc.
• In 1997, Contentment Not Resentment. In The African American Devotional Bible (p. 1284). Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

Several publications and organizations have recognized and
honored Rev. Minor for her outstanding accomplishments and achievements.

• “Pastor of the Year 2007” Southern California Lay Organization of the AME Church
  Internal Who’s Who of Professionals
• “Women Minister of the Year, 1997 and 2002”, Top Ladies of Distinction, Ladera Heights Chapter
• Ebony Magazine, Featured in the article, “Women Networking”
  Cable News Network Headline News Profiles

Rev. Minor is the eldest child of The Rev. Doris E. Lewis. She is also the mother of two young adult children. Enchantee, a high school mathematics teacher, Silas, a civil engineer, and the proud grandmother of Ryan Korell.

See any committee member for your tickets - or Call the church for more information!

Guest Speaker for Woman’s Day: Sister Rose Simpson

The Tabernacle of Faith welcomes Sister Rose Simpson back as the guest speaker for Woman’s Day; Join us May 18th for our Morning Worship Service.

Pastor’s Corner - April 2008

My dearly beloved “FAMILY”

It is by the tender mercies, love, compassion, and faithfulness of God that you and I have been crossed over to another month. Another golden opportunity to be about the Lord’s Business in WORD, ACTION, DEED and Godly Purpose. Thank You Lord for ONE MORE DAY, ONE MORE CHANCE.

The past month was rich and rewarding and fruitful in every way. New Souls were added to our SHEEP FOLD by Baptism and 3 new Candidates the past month. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW.

In the Scripture cited above the prophet Joshua had reached old age and is stricken in years. In spite of his many efforts that failed, yet his heart is warmed by the faithful God that he had on his side.

For certain and without a doubt, this is one of the great truths of Scripture and life – the faithfulness of God. Just as the venerable prophet was able to be a conqueror through God’s faithfulness, So do you and I are able to live victoriously in these awful days that try men’s souls.

Let me take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for your continuing prayers for me. The rest period was much needed and I am feeling much better. I am especially grateful to Pastor Hall and our Associate Ministers for their unwavering help to me at all times, they are truly a blessing to me personally and to our Church.

Finally let us continue to be much in prayer for each other, the sick and shut-in, the victims of violence in our city, and across the Nation, the bereaved and for suffering humanity everywhere.

Faithfully Yours

Pastor R.M. Leffall, III

Pastor’s Corner - March 2008

My Beloved,

Well, well, well, here we are in the month of March, the 3^rd month of the year 2008. We thank, and praise God for having spared us to cross over to another opportunity to bear “Fruit” in His vineyard.

The past month was rich and rewarding in every way, for God blessed us with administering the Ordinance of Baptism, and another Preacher was added to our Ministerial Team, namely Rev. Charles Williams Jr., who preached his Trial Sermon on the 2^nd Sunday in February. We were blessed on the 3^rd Sunday afternoon, by the Musical Service featuring the Mass Choir of the Community Baptist Church of Pacoima. Under the direction of Professor Sammy Calloway, it was “Church Music in it’s highest form”. Throughout the month of February we celebrated Negro History Month, and we closed the month on a most high and spiritual note with our ‘Annual African/American Cultural Day Service’, followed by the “Fellowship Feast”. Our own Rev. Daron Willis stirred our hearts with his profound Message. I do want to make special mention of the culinary volunteers, headed by our own, Sis. Birdia Mims, for coordinating the “Fellowship Feast”. Because of the abundance of food items, we were able to send food to one of our area homeless Shelters.

The month of March is now before us. My prayer as I indicated many times is that of enlarging our territory; that each member will consider seriously the matter of moving from mere MEMBERSHIP TO DISCIPLESHIP. We ask that you reach within your immediate family members, neighbors, friends, and persons without a Church home and invite them to Worship with us. As we lift up the Name of Christ, He will draw men, women, boys and girls out of the darkness into the marvelous LIGHT. He and He alone is the LIGHT, LIFE, WAY, AND TRUTH.

Finally, let us continue to be much in prayer for our many, many sick and shut-in, bereaved, and for suffering humanity everywhere. Our prayers go out in a most special way to the victims and families in our community as well as across the nation, who have been affected by violence. For certain, Satan is on the loose but his days are numbered.

I pray for God’s continuing favor and blessings upon both you and yours, and I remain.

Faithfully Yours

Pastor R.M. Leffall, III