The Rev. Dr. Charles Wesley Purnell, Pastor, and the members of Bethel A.M.E. Church will celebrate the Church’s 131st anniversary on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at 11:00 a.m.

The Rev. Jasper Drew, one of Bethel’s former pastors, will proclaim the Word.

The combined choirs, under the direction of Dr. Elissa Purnell and Sis. Zenobia Purnell, will render the music. The General Chair for the Anniversary Celebration is the Edith Macon Stewardess Board Number One under the leadership of Sis. Annie C. Jackson.

The mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed. Bethel has been fulfilling this mission for 131 years – “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee” (Psalm 84:4).

The pre-anniversary services will be on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 7:00 p.m., with the Rev. Franklin D. Blackshear and the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in charge of the service; and on Thursday, March 18, 2010, 7:00 p.m., with the Rev. Waymon Hodges and Brownsville Baptist Church in charge of the service. The anniversary celebration culminates on Sunday, March 21. A fellowship dinner will follow the Sunday morning worship service.

We invite all our family members, friends, and the community to share in this wonderful kingdom building celebration. Come and be blessed under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

The church is located at 1814 East 38th Street, Savannah, GA.