Jackson attends service, tours Sunday school
8/16/04
By DAWN HOBBS
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Calls for justice rang out as Michael Jackson clapped and swayed to gospel music at a South Central Los Angeles church service he attended Sunday with the lawyers defending him on accusations of child molestation.
Surrounded by defense lawyers Thomas Mesereau and Brian Oxman, who are members of the First AME Church, his brother Randy, comedian Steve Harvey and dozens of friends, Mr. Jackson watched with delight as babies were baptized and gratefully accepted the congregation's prayers.
After enjoying the service at the First African Methodist Episcopalian Church where more than 60 choir members belted out songs of praise to the Lord, Mr. Jackson visited a Sunday school where children gathered at his feet, eager to ask questions. One young girl popped up, proclaimed she was a huge fan and asked if she could be invited to his Neverland Valley Ranch.
"Of course -- all of you are invited to Neverland," Mr. Jackson told the children.
The appearance Sunday came a day before Mr. Jackson planned to be in a Santa Maria courtroom to watch his lead lawyer, Mr. Mesereau, grill the prosecutor who wants him locked up for alleged child molestation. Mr. Jackson's family is expected to be there when Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon takes the stand today to answer questions about an alleged illegal raid.
Sunday's appearance gave Mr. Jackson the opportunity to be seen in public before a friendly audience unlikely to question him about the child molestation case. A gag order has kept Mr. Jackson and his lawyers from telling their side of the story.
Mr. Mesereau again declined comment Sunday, citing the gag order.
It's not the first time Mr. Mesereau has brought a high-profile client to First AME. Actor Robert Blake, then out on bail after being charged with murder in the death of his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, also attended services there with the lawyer, who volunteers at the church's free legal clinic.
At the church, the Rev. Cecil Murray honored Mr. Mesereau for his efforts in "making sure justice not be denied."
He then introduced Mr. Jackson, who stood as Rev. Murray said: "May our prayers for you during your time of travail come to you . . . You shall be treated as a child of God."
Hundreds in the packed church then stretched out their right arm with their palm turned up to send prayers to Mr. Jackson, as they do for other parishioners in need. Unlike fans and curiosity-seekers who swarm the pop star, the congregation allowed him to worship unimpeded.
"What do we want here today?" the reverend asked. "We want justice, equity and healing."
Dressed in a dark-blue velvet sports coat with a gold armband, dark pants with a red stripe down the side, a long-sleeved white shirt, black vest, a gold-and-red tie and black boots, Mr. Jackson listened attentively to the reverend's sermon about greed and the differences between being "carefree, careless and careful."
Rev. Murray later told the News-Press: "Michael Jackson being in worship means to me personally that he continues to be the spiritual being that he was reared to be. Prior to going out to worship, Michael, Michael's brother Randy, Steve Harvey and I shared private prayers in the study. We felt the healing presence of our Lord and were free from that point to proceed to worship.
"It goes without saying that the legitimate house of worship does not exalt any one person over another," he said. "All are precious in God's sight. I rejoice over any soul that surrenders in service to our Lord."
Before the service, a few TV trucks lined the curb outside the church. Afterward, throngs of reporters, photographers and fans clogged the streets.
Outside, parishioners Beverly Russell and Cynthia Vickers said they were surprised by Mr. Jackson's attendance.
"We didn't know he was going to be there," Ms. Russell said. "He came on time and stayed for the whole service. It was most impressive. We just wish him well."
As Mr. Jackson rode in his black Bentley from the church to the Sunday school, fans ran after him screaming -- hoping to catch a glimpse. Inside the school, one boy sat looking astonished after Mr. Jackson and his entourage walked by.
"He's an amazing man," said Brandon Richie, 11. "He shook my hand."
In response to their questions, children learned Mr. Jackson's favorite song is "We are the World," that he started singing when he was 5 and that moon walking doesn't hurt his toes. He then posed for a group picture with the children, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Mesereau and his brother Randy.
Outside, Brandon said visiting with the entertainer was more exciting than he thought it would be: "It was incredible!"
:nav Source: http://news.newspress.com/topsports/081604jackson.htm
8/16/04
By DAWN HOBBS
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Calls for justice rang out as Michael Jackson clapped and swayed to gospel music at a South Central Los Angeles church service he attended Sunday with the lawyers defending him on accusations of child molestation.
Surrounded by defense lawyers Thomas Mesereau and Brian Oxman, who are members of the First AME Church, his brother Randy, comedian Steve Harvey and dozens of friends, Mr. Jackson watched with delight as babies were baptized and gratefully accepted the congregation's prayers.
After enjoying the service at the First African Methodist Episcopalian Church where more than 60 choir members belted out songs of praise to the Lord, Mr. Jackson visited a Sunday school where children gathered at his feet, eager to ask questions. One young girl popped up, proclaimed she was a huge fan and asked if she could be invited to his Neverland Valley Ranch.
"Of course -- all of you are invited to Neverland," Mr. Jackson told the children.
The appearance Sunday came a day before Mr. Jackson planned to be in a Santa Maria courtroom to watch his lead lawyer, Mr. Mesereau, grill the prosecutor who wants him locked up for alleged child molestation. Mr. Jackson's family is expected to be there when Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon takes the stand today to answer questions about an alleged illegal raid.
Sunday's appearance gave Mr. Jackson the opportunity to be seen in public before a friendly audience unlikely to question him about the child molestation case. A gag order has kept Mr. Jackson and his lawyers from telling their side of the story.
Mr. Mesereau again declined comment Sunday, citing the gag order.
It's not the first time Mr. Mesereau has brought a high-profile client to First AME. Actor Robert Blake, then out on bail after being charged with murder in the death of his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, also attended services there with the lawyer, who volunteers at the church's free legal clinic.
At the church, the Rev. Cecil Murray honored Mr. Mesereau for his efforts in "making sure justice not be denied."
He then introduced Mr. Jackson, who stood as Rev. Murray said: "May our prayers for you during your time of travail come to you . . . You shall be treated as a child of God."
Hundreds in the packed church then stretched out their right arm with their palm turned up to send prayers to Mr. Jackson, as they do for other parishioners in need. Unlike fans and curiosity-seekers who swarm the pop star, the congregation allowed him to worship unimpeded.
"What do we want here today?" the reverend asked. "We want justice, equity and healing."
Dressed in a dark-blue velvet sports coat with a gold armband, dark pants with a red stripe down the side, a long-sleeved white shirt, black vest, a gold-and-red tie and black boots, Mr. Jackson listened attentively to the reverend's sermon about greed and the differences between being "carefree, careless and careful."
Rev. Murray later told the News-Press: "Michael Jackson being in worship means to me personally that he continues to be the spiritual being that he was reared to be. Prior to going out to worship, Michael, Michael's brother Randy, Steve Harvey and I shared private prayers in the study. We felt the healing presence of our Lord and were free from that point to proceed to worship.
"It goes without saying that the legitimate house of worship does not exalt any one person over another," he said. "All are precious in God's sight. I rejoice over any soul that surrenders in service to our Lord."
Before the service, a few TV trucks lined the curb outside the church. Afterward, throngs of reporters, photographers and fans clogged the streets.
Outside, parishioners Beverly Russell and Cynthia Vickers said they were surprised by Mr. Jackson's attendance.
"We didn't know he was going to be there," Ms. Russell said. "He came on time and stayed for the whole service. It was most impressive. We just wish him well."
As Mr. Jackson rode in his black Bentley from the church to the Sunday school, fans ran after him screaming -- hoping to catch a glimpse. Inside the school, one boy sat looking astonished after Mr. Jackson and his entourage walked by.
"He's an amazing man," said Brandon Richie, 11. "He shook my hand."
In response to their questions, children learned Mr. Jackson's favorite song is "We are the World," that he started singing when he was 5 and that moon walking doesn't hurt his toes. He then posed for a group picture with the children, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Mesereau and his brother Randy.
Outside, Brandon said visiting with the entertainer was more exciting than he thought it would be: "It was incredible!"
:nav Source: http://news.newspress.com/topsports/081604jackson.htm