Victory Tabernacle celebrated the 35th Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor and Sister White this weekend. It was such a beautiful celebration and I stayed in the moment while my phone stayed in my purse and I did not take a single picture. Pastor and Sister White have been a tremendous blessing to Victory Tabernacle in Burbank for these many years. They are loving and giving and faithful. They are loved and respected by so many which was evidenced by the many guests who came to celebrate with us.
We kicked things off Friday night. Service started at 7:30. When Les and I arrived at 6:45 both parking lots were full and we parked on the street. The building was packed. As service started and more folks came, chairs were brought in. We heard from one of the saints of Victory Tabernacle, Bro. Leo Alcocer, who shared what the Whites mean to him. Three of Pastor White's friends then spoke - Pastors Tom Johnson, Ron Garrett (my first youth leader!) and B.J. Wilmoth. They each had stories to share and kind words.
Our speaker for the weekend was Elder Vaughn Morton. It was such a treat to have him with us. He retired from pastoring Truth Tabernacle in Fresno 2 1/2 years ago and he has stayed busy, busy, busy! On Friday night he talked about the past, giving honor to Pastor and Sister White. He had Sister White join him on the platform and kept saying, "I'll get to you later!"
After the preaching we saw a slideshow of pictures of 35 years of memories. Two building programs, revivals, evangelism, dramas, family trips and much more. We then enjoyed a time of fellowship with ministers and their wives after service. It was so good to talk to so many! It was well past my bedtime when I finally looked at the time on my phone but well worth it.
Sunday morning started with Les teaching our Adult Sunday school class. This quarter we have been studying the Sermon on the Mount and Les has brought much insight to these great teachings of Jesus. It was another outstanding lesson. Ask anyone who sits in on those classes and you will know I am not biased at all when I say that.
We were blessed with more guests who came just to show honor to our first couple. It was so good to see Elder and Sister Gerald Buxton and many pastor wives. Sister Blanca Mejia testified in Spanish, telling what the Whites have meant to her through the years. Pastor White's sister, Sister Kaye Singleton, blessed us with a song about the faithfulness of God. I love this sweet lady!
Our Sunday morning worship service is mostly in Spanish with the preaching translated. Elder Morton gave us just a nugget of his message "Just Let It Unfold." This is such a classic message and I would have loved to hear the entire message. We then had a beautiful move of God during the altar service.
I spent Sunday afternoon getting food ready for our post-service potluck! I made Broccoli and Cranberry Salad, Butternut Squash Bake, and Baked Mushroom Chicken. It's a known fact that if you go hungry at a church potluck it is no one's fault but your own!
Sunday night's service was our final celebration. Bro. Frankie Ayala and Sis. Vivian Gonzalez both spoke about what the Whites mean to them. I was on the schedule to sing and took the opportunity to talk about Sister White's great influence on our music department. I have been playing for 25 years now and Sister White is directly responsible for that! I shared a few stories and then had all of our musicians stand. It was a beautiful sight to see how many musicians we now have. As I said last night, one of the greatest things that has happened is Sister White no longer needs to play the organ for altar service so she can freely pray with those in need in the altars. We also heard from our three branch pastors. Again, the church was packed with visitors and saints from Burbank and our branch works.
Elder Morton preached to us about our future. We celebrated our past, but it's time to keep moving forward! He exhorted us to focus on evangelism, to not worry about where we would put people when the church is full - God will provide! He was so anointed and so funny as only Elder Morton can be! Victory Tabernacle has a bright future.
Following the altar service Brother Hector Flores read a letter celebrating Pastor and Sister White. (Les wrote it and with his permission I might post it tomorrow.) We then presented the Whites with a gift of a "Romantic River Cruise" on the Danube. Les and I thought about taking this cruise when we were planning our 25th anniversary trip and I know they will have a great time! There is no gift big enough to say how much we appreciate them. I know our greatest gift is each of us living for God and reaching out to others.
We concluded the night with our potluck. It seemed like no one wanted to leave! We just stayed and ate and talked and laughed. It was after midnight when Les and I finally drifted off to sleep.
I woke this morning with a heart that is full. We will celebrate Thanksgiving next week, but I am extremely thankful today! It was a blessed weekend and I am looking forward to what God has in store next.
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