Members, friends and special guests of Holiness Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ came out in throngs to honor the fragrance of the church, First Lady Vivian Pruitte, on September 4, 2013.
The sanctuary was adorned in a dazzling array of silvers, orchids and shades a pink. The women of the church wore hues that matched the prescribed colors of the day, showing their support to First Lady Pruitte in grand style.
The special day started off with words of reflections given by Elder Eugene McCown, Sister Sereatha Majors, Sister Marry King and Elder John Mabry II. After their words of acknowledgement, words of love were lavished upon Mother Pruitte by those closest to her – her family. First, the Pruitte women provided levity by recounting the resourcefulness of First Lady Pruitte. “She’s a jack of all trades and has worn every hat in the church,” said Sister Delia Pruitte speaking on behalf of her sisters and First Lady Pruitte’s granddaughter. “Her silence speaks much louder than her voice.”
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Brother Ariante De La Cruz, a purity class student, offered youthful expressions. “[Mother Pruitte] is a woman of God. She stands by her husband and she loves the youth. I thank God for a woman like that in my life.”
Another Purity Class member, Sister Tamika Alexander, provided words of thanks. “Thank you for being an example the purity girls can look up to. We all love you.”
Finishing off the words of reflection were her son-in-law, Deacon Napoleon Paxton, and her grandson, Brother Jeremiah Paxton. “It’s been an honor being her grandchild,” said Brother Jeremiah. “I love her with all my heart and I hope she thinks the same of me. I love you grandma!”
“I needed to be here to celebrate Mother Pruitte,” declared Deacon Paxton. “I thank God for you to Mother Pruitte. When I look at my wife, I see a lot of you in her.”
The supervisor of Maryland’s Central Jurisdiction, Missionary Diane Banks, and the first lady elect, Mother Butts, shared some special words with the congregation about the woman they’d recently met, who felt like a long-time friend.
“It’s my first time meeting [First Lady Pruitte] and it feels like I’ve known her for years,” said Mother Butts. “…keep taking care of her. Keep holding up her and Pastor’s arms. Keep on keeping on.”
“You’ve got a sanctified woman. A jewel. A priceless jewel,” said Mother Banks, who also serves as secretary of the National Advisory Board of the Church Of God In Christ. “She’s a pattern of good work. A pattern is something you want to emulate and follow. So ladies follow this pattern.”
Mother Banks went on to further say, “She’s prayerful. She’s faithful and she’s anointed. She’s a Titus 2 woman.”
Flowers and gifts were delivered to First Lady Pruitte from young and old alike following the beautiful words of expression. Before honoring his wife, Pastor Eddie Pruitte, recognized the Mother’s Board who stood behind First Lady Pruitte and thanked Missionary Andrea Mabry for spearheading this year’s annual day. He also thanked his mother-in-law saying, “If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have my wife.” He then presented First Lady Pruitte with two dozen exquisite roses.
After the inundation of gifts and words of love, First Lady Pruitte and the congregation settled down to hear a mighty Word of God from special guest speaker Mother Amelda Jones. Anticipation filled the room as the celebration came on the heels of a three-day revival Mother Jones conducted at the church the week prior. Mother Jones encouraged the church to hold on to the holiness way of life. The time for conforming to the world was over.
“We must pursue holiness with everything we have in our being,” she urged the congregants. “Because of holiness, you shall not be moved,” she spoke directly to First Lady Pruitte. “That is the will of Christ Jesus concerning Mother Pruitte.”
The service ended with final words from First Lady Pruitte who expressed her love and gratitude to the special guests, Mother Jones, the Holiness Tabernacle Church family and her husband. With such a woman of God by the pastor’s side – one with a spirit to pray without ceasing and is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman – Holiness Tabernacle will surely uphold the legacy of true holiness.