MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Service of Appreciation for Brother Amos Wright at Emmanuel Missionary Church on Saturday, May 26 could have been mistaken for a regular Sunday service.

Affectionately called ‘Grandpa’, Wright shared his 100th birthday with a fanfare made possible by family, members of his church and the May Day Church of God. They all rose to the occasion to make his century memorable.

Listed among the guests for the afternoon soiree were his church family, relatives from home and abroad, friends, representatives from different churches, the National Council for Senior Citizens, Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, past co-workers and members of the May Day community.

Wright, smartly dressed in a suit, was taken to the venue in a Thunderbird classic motorcar.

As the man of the moment entered the church everyone got comfortable in anticipation of a pleasant trip down memory lane. Wright’s defining characteristics were all packaged in the occasion to make it truly about him.

The guests belted out hymns such as Great Is Thy Faithfulness, I Stand Amazed In The Presence Of Jesus The Nazarene, and Take The Name Of Jesus With You, all said to be some of Wright’s favourites.

After 10 decades of life experiences and building connections there was a “diversity” of persons to pay tribute to him. It was emphasised that Wright was not only being honoured for “the years in his life but the life in his years”.

He was remembered as a humble man, a man of faith, a lover of the game of draughts, a responsible family man and community person.

Wright has been an active member of Emmanuel Missionary Church since 1966, and a foundation member of the May Day Citizens’ Association and Neighbourhood Watch from 1986.

It was said that he exemplified the biblical meaning of the name Amos — burden bearer — through his actions and deeds, which served his generation well.

Leroy Logan remembered his uncle as someone who always had “positive and encouraging words”. He said that even when Wright had medical challenges and they visited him in the hospital they would be encouraged by him.

A police officer in London for 29 years, Logan said that security is a major concern for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games and there is great demand on his time. However, he chose to be in Jamaica for his uncle’s birthday celebration instead.

“He is not widely travelled, but what he has done in his community has gone far beyond its borders,” said Logan.

Alongside the glowing tributes, a slide show highlighted some of the changes that took place in Jamaica over Wright’s lifetime.

The contrast between a page of a newspaper in 1912 and in 2012 was shown and a model of a car then and now flashed on screen.

When it was Brother Wright’s turn to speak, he took the microphone and confidently delivered a “brief message”.

He said that he was really happy to see the gathering and if he was to say and do what he wanted to in that moment the event would be “monotonous”.

Wright quoted and explained scriptures as he encouraged those in attendance to live a life in Christ.

“I want to pay close attention for what the Lord has done for me. I am confident that the Lord will be with me wherever I go. No one is going to find a justified reason for not being a Christian. (I know) because I spent a long time in this world being a Christian and not being a Christian,” he said. He ended his message by thrilling the congregation with a song.

One of Wright’s three children, Lola, expressed her gratitude for the event. Speaking on behalf of Wright’s wife of over 60 years, who sat in the audience, she said, “This is an incredible moment for me. I say to God be the glory. It is saying to us as a congregation that this is something we ought to consider doing. Lay the rose at the feet of these special persons when they are still alive. This is very unique.”