On Aug. 19 the First Church of God in Whitmire celebrated their 74th homecoming.

There was gospel singing and special sermon from pastor from Spartanburg as well as a lunch afterwards.

Church member Janice L. Carter also submitted this message from Rev. Mitchell Brittain of First Church of God in connection with the Whitmire church.

In the year 1917, the Church of God Reformation Movement split the church body into two distinct parallel entities, black and white. They cited cultural differences as the reason. The leaders of both groups did not feel good about this decision at the time; however, the change was made.

Since then, the Church of God Reformation Movement has taken steps to reunite the divided body. Today, the church praisse the Lord that this mistake has been realized and corrected.

Yes, there are cultural differences, but this is not the issue. The scripture says that there are many pieces of the body, all very different and yet working as one body. It is those differences that make each congregation unique.

There are many brothers and sisters right up the street that are strangers just because they are a different color or nationality.

The point is to re acknowledge our new found brothers and sisters in God’s family and embrace one another as Jesus intended.

Experience one another’s worship services in the spirit and learn from one another without preconceived ideas. The worship will be different, but does that make it wrong? No. It does not diminish the fact that God accepts worship and is pleased.

Embrace fellowship, experience worship and praise the Lord who made everyone.