The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1944-03-22
HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS
HONORS PASTORS 80 YEARS SERVICE

A glowing tribute 10 33 years
service as pastor and spiritual
adviser to many throughout his
years in Portland was paid Elder
Robert sercie of the House of
Prayer for all Nations. in a ecle-
bration of fellowship meetings
beginning Wednesday. March S to
IL, inclusive.
Beginning his pastorate back
in 1911, Elder Sercie conducted
what was known as "open door
meetings of the House of Prayer,
then connected with the Church
of God in Christ. Such meetings
for a number of years were held
i'm various places on the west
side, thence to east side where
the Elder withdrew large fol-
lowing from the Church of God
in Christ, setting up an indepen-
dent House of Prayer. In 1928
the present church at 22O5 Sc.
10th was purchased at a cost OF
$4,000. Mrs. Viola Johnson, spon-
sor of the celebration, confides
that the late Sister Gaskin, a
staunch member of the church
who passed in January, 1914, had
helped In the planning of this
occasion I'm which a fine Chris
tian spirit of cooperation and fell
lowship was evidenced from start
to finish.
Beginning on Wednesday night
opening remarks were made by
Elder b. Mcswain, who. in a very
able manner. served as master
of ceremonies throughout the OBJ
servance. On this night Rev.
Mitchell. of the Gideonites, spoke
on Living Holy" A group from
the Lifeline Mission conducted
song service.
Thursday evening Rev. J. f.
Smith of ZionA.M E.preached on
the subject, ''The Fidelity of
Christ" Zion choir sang. Sister
Grace Black of Seattle led sery-
ices on Friday afternoon. In the
evening Rev. Wick of the Van
couver Assembly Of God chose
the subject. Keep the Good
Wine Until the Last" Saturday
afternoon Mrs. Oscar Sorenson,
with a group of workers from
WOODBURY., oregon, conducted an
inspirational service. Saturday
night Elder ]. c. Lewis of the
Church of God in Christ, spoke
on the theme. Remedy"
Sunday climaxed the celebra-
ton. At 800 p. m. Rev. B. C..
Allen, pastor of Bethel A.M.E.
Church brought a striking mes
sage on the subject, I'm doing
a good work and | cannot come
down." taken from Neamiah.
Excellent singing by a group
from Longyiew, Wash, aug
mented this service. Mr.. Honor
led these singers. AT the close of
the afternoon service lunch and
plenty of it was served the entire
congregation.
The young peoples program,
conducted by j. McSwain Sunday
night, preceded services led by
Elder j. V. Taylor of Oakland.
Calf. Mrs. Charles Johnson sang
her own composition, Take Me
Back to Calvary Mrs. Viola
Johnson dedicated two original
poems to Elder Sercie before eli
making the whole affair with the
presentation of gifts including a
large cake on which was placed
100 one-dollar bills rolled repres-
enting candles, a gift from the
congregation. Other gifts inclu-
ded a leather brief case from
the women of the church, check
for So from the Church of God
in Christ of Yakima, and pack
age wearing apparel from Elder
Dennison, Seattle Wash Contri-
buttons totaled $1675S.
In addition to ministers who
preached, the following were at
tended: Rev. Parrish, Elder Lo-
max, Rev. Cox, Etder Merry
weather, Rev. r. e. Donaldson,
Elder Simms and Rev. White.
Scores of laymen and friends
shared in helping to make happy
the heart of a good mana man
of God. Elder Sereie is the father
of boys and girls Three boys
are in the armed forces His wife
passed years ago.