Life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. remembered
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Members of the NAACP Community Mass Choir provide music for a celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday afternoon in Friendship Baptist Church, Washington.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
The Rev. Victor J. Grigsby delivers the keynote address to the community assembled for the NAACP Celebration of the Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Friendship Baptist Church of Washington on Sunday afternoon. Grigsby is the pastor of Central Baptist Church of Pittsburgh.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
The Rev. Victor J. Grigsby delivers the benediction to the community assembled at Friendship Baptist Church in Washington for the NAACP Celebration of the Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. onSunday afternoon.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
The Rev. Victor J. Grigsby delivers the keynote address to the community at Friendship Baptist Church of Washington Sunday afternoon.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
The Rev. Victor J. Grigsby delivers the keynote address to the community assembled for the NAACP Celebration of the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Friendship Baptist Church of Washington Sunday afternoon.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Officers from Washington and surrounding branches of the NAACP attend a celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday afternoon at Friendship Baptist Church in Washington.
The life and legacy of a man described by the keynote speaker as “one of the greatest leaders the world has ever seen” was remembered Sunday at services to recognize his life.
“His life changed the world. It changed a nation. It changed the people,” said the Rev. Victor Grisby, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a celebration sponsored by the Washington branch of the NAACP at Friendship Baptist Church in Washington.
Grigsby called hate a great burden to bear.
“Hate has haunted the history of this country,” he said, adding that the real problem was not economic, political, sociological or geographical, but theological.
“The world hates any representation of God,” he said. “And because of that, we deal with discrimination.”
Grigsby said black people are an enduring people who know how to survive, having lived through slavery, Jim Crow laws and segregation.
“We have made it through the worst of times,” Grigsby said. “We are an enduring people.”
Gribsy told the congregation to follow in the footsteps of leaders who came before them.
“I thank God we live in this blessed country,” Grigsby said. “We didn’t come this far on our own.”
“We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us,” he added, naming many of the great black leaders. “We stand on the shoulders of the great men and women who paved the way and gave their lives for us. Remember we are a proud people.”
The Rev. Anita Lovell, pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Canonsburg, said that while they may be discouraged by what has been heard over the airwaves it should energize and encourage them for the work that needs to be done.
Washington County Judge Brandon Neuman addressed the congregation in King’s words: “Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but bends toward justice.”
Neuman expounded, “We have to realize the next generation is watching us and it is incumbent upon us to the lead them on the correct path.”
Larry Maggi, chairman of the board of county commissioners, urged everyone to remember what King stood for during his lifetime.
Commissioner Harlan Shober reminded the congregation of King’s fight for justice and equality.
“You have to fight even harder,” Shober told them. “You are keeping his spirit alive.”
Washington Mayor Scott Putnam encouraged everyone to be the best they can be, what they are and continue to treat one another with fairness and respect.
Grigsby urged everyone to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day one of service.
“Make it a day when you can help someone,” Grigsby said. “He gave his life so the world could be a better place.”