A Moment in Bethel's History
In 1859, a schoolhouse located on Fifth and Washington (now Fifth and Roosevelt) accommodated The First German Evangelical Reformed Church. The First German Church purchased and rebuilt the structure. They continued to worship in it until 1882, when it was vacated and badly in need of repairs. Local records referred to as the "Old German Church." By 1884, the building was in use again and became known as Bethel Mission Chapel. In 1887, Bethel Mission Chapel was reorganized into a new building on this site after the old building was moved one mile away. The old building became Hope Chapel located on 4th and John Street. Bethel Chapel would remain functioning until 1943 when it became Bethel Presbyterian Church under the ministry of Rev. Leslie Taylor.
The African American Prayer
In the beginning before humans were formed and nature knew God's great presence, the Spirit moved over the universe. The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for God has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. In quiet peace God created humans, women and men, colorful, balanced, and creatively diverse and the beauty of God's love filled the earth
Let the People of God say..... Ashe! (Pronounced ASHAY)
Love the Lord our God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. In honor of Black History Month we remember names because of the ancestors who made a way out of no way, with God before them, beside them, and lovingly guiding succeeding generations.
From the African continent, we honor the lives of queens and kings ~Nana Yaa Asantewa of Ashanti; Nzinga of Ndongo & Matamba; and Taharqa, ruler of Napatan Kush.
Let the People of God say..... Ashe!
From the descendants of the African diaspora we honor the lives of Richard Allen, Nate Turner, Denmark Vesey, Benjamin Mays, Ronald McNair, Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Octavia Butler, Bessie Coleman.
Let the People of God say..... Ashe!
From Bethel Presbyterian Church of Plainfield NJ, we honor the lives of Lucretia Johnson founder, Pastors Rev. Imes, Rev. Taylor, Rev. Christian, Rev. Newbold Leader, Fred Johnson, Rufus Dent, Mosel Lee, John Hawks Sr. Marietta Onque, Dorothy Horne, Gloria Jennings, Sarah Atkinson To them we say..... Ashe!
These and more represent the great cloud of witnesses. their spirits linger with us creating new generations of warriors, preachers, prophets, teachers, activists, organizers, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters of the African Diaspora. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!
Let the People of God say: Ashe!...Ashe!...Ashe!...Amen