PURITY CLASS

History

The Purity Class is an auxiliary of the Women's Department of the Church of God in Christ. It was founded in 1926 by the late Mother C.J. Johnson. The aim of the Purity Class is to help keep in focus the true values of good morals, high standards of living, Christian virtues and to discourage all forms of behavior that violate true Christian worship.

Purity Creed

Purity Principles

Purpose

Creed Creed....

Let, therefore, Purity Reign

In the heart of every boy and girl

or Mister and Miss Purity

Let purity Rule

Let purity Govern

Let it be your inner-most being

Purity-Purity-Purity

PURITY POEM

P Principles for which we stand

U Unity our first demand

R Righteousness for which God calls

I Initiative to stir within all

T Talent God gave each to use

Y Youth so easy to abuse

C Cleanliness for one and all
L Loveliness for this duty call
A Attitude the pass key for success
S Salvation through which all are blessed
S Sincerity on which hang all the rest

PURITY PRAYER

Through the Purity Class, puritans (ages 13-19) will

have the opportunity to learn social graces, courtesy,

manners, money management and practical reactions

to life's experiences.

Puritan in the Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT

Lord, for tomorrow and its need, I do not pray

Keep me from every strain of sin, just for today

Let me no wrong or idle words, unthinking say

Set thou a seal upon my lips, just for today

Purity Scripture

I can do all things through Christ which

strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

MYSELF

By Edgar A. Guest

I have to live with myself and so

I want to be fit for myself to know,

I want to be able as days go by,

Always to look at myself straight in the eye.

I don’t want to stand with the setting sun

And hate myself for the things I’ve done.

That’s why I am a Puritan

I don’t want to hide on a closet shelf

A lot of secrets about myself,

And fool myself as I come and go

Into thinking that nobody else will know

What kind of man I really am;

I don’t want to dress myself in sham.

That’s why I am a Puritan

I want to go with my head erect,

I want to deserve all men’s respect

And in this struggle for fame and show

I want to be able to like myself.

I don’t want to look at myself and know

That I am a bluster and empty show.

That’s why I am a Puritan

I cannot hide myself from me;

I can see what others can never see;

I know what others can never know,

I cannot fool myself, and so

Whatever happens, I want to be

Self-respecting and conscience free

And that’s why I am a Puritan

The Purity Class highlights youth no matter the age, who are dedicated members of the church. We want to acknowledge our youth and continue to guide them in their endeavors.

Purity Song
P is for Purity
U is for Unity
R is for Righteousness
I is for Intelligence
T is for Truthfulness
Y is for Youthfulness
So join the Purity Class today
Of the Church of God in Christ
C is for Cleanliness
L is for Loveliness
A is for Associates
S is for Sobriety
S is for Salvation for all our youth
So join the Purity Class today
So join the Purity Class today
Of the Church of God in Christ
So join the Purity Class

Sunshine Band

What is the Sunshine Band?

Established by Bishop C.H. Mason in 1911, the Sunshine Band is one of the oldest auxiliaries of the Women’s Department. It was designed to minister to the needs of children, ages two through twelve.

Using Bible truths as it's guide, the goal of the Sunshine Band is to introduce children to Christ, while offering personal and emotional support necessary for effective growth and development. The Sunshine Band assists in personality and character development as well as training for leadership within the church and beyond.

We utilize bible study, drama, music, and arts to help children discover and develop their God-given gifts and talents. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”. It is our goal that our children come to know Jesus Christ as the light of the world and as a follower of Jesus, understand what it means to be like Him.

History

The Sunshine Band is an auxiliary of the Women’s Department of our Church. Established by Bishop C. H. Mason, it is one of the oldest auxiliaries of our church.

In 1911, Bishop Mason saw fit to establish the Office of the General Supervisor of the Women to which Mother Lizzie Roberson was appointed. She began to appoint state supervisors and they in turn were to organize jurisdictional units of the various auxiliaries. The original four auxiliaries established by Bishop Mason and Mother Roberson were the Sunshine Band, Sewing Circle, Prayer and Bible Band, and Home and Foreign Mission.

In the earlier years, prior to 1922, Saint Samuel was the first to gather the children together to instruct and guide them in the church. He was known as Big Brother Sunshine. Along with Sister E. Sparks, also from Memphis,

they continued to give the children scriptural lessons. By 1916, Mother Lydia E. Hinsley became involved with the Sunshine Band.

SUNSHINE BAND MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Sunshine Band is to reach out to our children and offer an opportunity for them to receive salvation in their productive years. We desire to build a partnership between the home, the school, and the church in order to provide a spiritual foundation for each child by building character, faith, and self-worth.

CREED

MOTTO

PURPOSE:

Because Jesus is the light that lives in me, I will always allow it to shine through me every day. It will shine in love. I will love others as Christ has shown His love to us.

It will shine obedience. I will obey those who have authority in my home, school, church, and community.

It will shine in peace. I will make intentional efforts to live in unity with all mankind; regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or station in life.

I will let this light shine so bright that everyone can see that Jesus lives in me.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:16

BIBLE PLEDGE

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word. I pledge to make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I pledge to hide it in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.

Sunshine Band Scripture

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ”Matthew 5:16,

To build character, faith, leadership skills, pride, self-respect, and self-worth. Teach appropriate behavior, biblical principles, etiquette, and stewardship. Promote salvation, academic success, athletic development, dignity excellence growth, healthy relationships and talent.

To promote spiritual, physical and mental growth by providing training to children from 12 years of age and under.
To provide leadership and structure by teaching scriptures and spiritual songs.
To do our motto as teachers, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it: Proverbs 22:6

Sunshine Band in
the Spotlight

Spotlight

The Sunshine Band highlights youth under the age of , who are dedicated members of the church. We want to acknowledge our youth and continue to guide them in their endeavors.