From the Pastor’s Pen 11/7/2020

Grace and peace Progressive family,

I pray this day finds you well and that God had met you at your point of need. This is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24).

The Election. Well, when I rose this morning, I expected to speak on our continued prayers regarding the outcome of this election. And, to my pleasant surprise, the outcome was announced during the day. Proverbs 29:2 came to mind where it says:

“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Time will tell us about the leadership character of Joe Biden and if it rises to the level of righteous but the nation and globe surely have been groaning under classless and characterless leadership of the current president. Let us continue in prayer for a smooth transition and that the the future president, Joe Biden, and America’s first Black and female Vice-President, Kamala Harris, will do honor to their offices, the people and the country.

We also praise God that all over the nation and globe, that Black girls and women will have another national role model of excellence in addition to the many local ones that we have right here in our homes and pews.

Voting. I also want to celebrate the Progressive Voting team. They did a marvelous job of engaging the congregation and the community to be active in the election. In fact, Sis. Donece Lewis was quoted several times a Wall Street Journal article entitled, This Election, Black Churches Face Challenges Getting ‘Souls to the Polls’ describing the actions and activities of the church:

At Progressive Baptist Church in Milwaukee, Donece Lewis (no relation to Rev. Lewis) helped to set up a voter team. The volunteers call church members and others from the community, asking them if their registration is up to date and what their voting plan is. Her grandchildren help her with the app the group uses to track who has been called.

She also set up an official drop-off box for absentee ballots at her church. When she arrived to drop off her own ballot last Thursday, it was her first time back to the church since March. Wearing a mask that said “Vote” on it, she hugged the church walls when she arrived.

“We had members and friends who were skeptical about putting their ballots in the mail because they felt they weren’t going to get through,” said Ms. Lewis, who is 70 years old. “We thought, if we have it at the church, they’d have more confidence.”
(https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-election-black-churches-face-challenges-getting-souls-to-the-polls-11604239200)

I will also forward a copy of the whole article.

My Social Media Post Congratulating Milwaukee On Great Turnout

Mother Elmore Homegoing. We lift in prayer the family of Progressive and Sis. Betty Banks and Sis. Jasmine Banks in the passing of Mother Rosemary Elmore. Her homegoing service was yesterday at Krause Funeral Home and her body was laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery. We are thankful for her faithful service as a member and as member of the Mother’s Board. The eulogy’s was from Titus 2:3-5, The Blessing of Fearless Mothers.

Progressive Deacons are pallbearers for Mother Banks commit all.

Sermons Series – Joshua Chapter 6. We continue in our sermon series from Joshua chapter 6 as God’s people approach the walled in city of Jericho.

Sermon 1. Joshua 6:1-2. Conquering Jericho: A Fighting, Fearless and Renewed Faith
Sermon 2. Joshua 6:3-9. Conquering Jericho: Following God’s Plan

Adult Saturday School. Saturday, November 7, 2020 5 pm -Sister Cynthia Berry-Roberson https://zoom.us/j/4555299334Password 12345 | Or call 312 626 6799 ID 455 529 9334 Lesson 10 -The Love Connection; John 15:4-17

Sunday Worship: Sunday, November 8, 2020 (10:00 am)