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On Thursday, September 23, 2021, our Founder, Superintendent James A. Schwartz Sr, transitioned peacefully from labor to reward. We bow to the will of the Lord in humble submission as we celebrate the life and mourn the loss of this mighty man of God! Please keep his wife, Mother Thelma Schwartz, his family and the St James Powerhouse Family in your prayers as we prepare to lay him to rest.
Supt Schwartz's home going service will be held Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Faith Tabernacle Community Church, located in Clayton, NJ. The viewing is scheduled 9am to 11 am, with the services set to begin at 11am.
The address is: 962 North Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 09312.
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If you would like to send resolutions they can be emailed to stjamespowerhous@gmail.com
A Life Well Lived in the Service of God
On Wednesday, September 23, 2021, Superintendent James Alfonso Schwartz Sr. was called Home from labor to Reward.
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Superintendent James A Schwartz, Sr. was born to Choice and Ruth Schwartz on May 27, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. James was the youngest of his siblings who have preceded him in death, His Sisters, Deaconess Missionary Margaret E. Schwartz-Curry, Dr. Geneva E. Schwartz-Vaught, and his Brother Superintendent Choyce Henry Schwartz Sr. This Large extended family filled the North Philadelphia household where James grew up with love and laughter. After his parents divorced in 1944 the family moved to Berlin, New Jersey. From his parents second marriages he has 3 other siblings Junius E. White Jr., Calvin Swartz, and Matilda Simmons.
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James loved to sing. James and his brother Choyce found their way to Tippen Inn (Berlin’s local Juke joint) where James would sing popular songs just like Nat King Cole and Billy Eckstein.
Shortly after moving to Berlin, James met the lovely Thelma C Smith, daughter of Louise and Anthony Smith and was smitten to the point he followed her to church. James followed Thelma to a nightly revival at Mt Carmel Church of God In Christ, and the Lord got a hold of Him, Saved Him, and baptized him with the Holy Spirt. The Scripture reads, Am I my brother’s keeper? James answered yes, thinking it not robbery to share what happen to him, he went to get his brother Choyce. That one decision and encounter with God resulted in not only his brother being saved but his mother, and sisters. This encounter drew them all closer to God through revivals, determination, fasting and praying, and they never turned back. Little did they all know how God would use them for rest of their lives, teaching, preaching, and bringing the lost to Christ.
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Shortly after receiving Christ, James married Thelma C Smith and God Blessed them with 5 Children, Diane (Deceased), Karen, Janette, Bernadette and James Jr. Throughout their marriage they worked together to build a life of love and ministry. James divided his time between Ministry-Service for God, Home and Work. He worked to support his family for many years at Suntect Enterprises in Camden until they closed and retired from Advanced Tool and Die in Westmont, NJ.
Elder James as most called him was anointed to preach and began his ministry at the early age of 14. After his initial encounter at Mt Carmel Church of God in Christ, the Pastor, Bishop C.H. Cotton (deceased) became his spiritual father and mentor. While at Mt Carmel, Elder James served faithfully in many areas but his first love was the Sunday School Department, serving as Superintendent for some years. James and his brother Choyce ran revivals and became widely known on the Northeast church circuit as the dapper and fiery Schwartz Brothers (also known as the Sons of Thunder). People came from far and wide to hear them preach, expound the word, evangelize, sing, praise and worship God. District Missionary Sawyer convinced them to start a church, and Pastor in Swedesboro, New Jersey. Mother White convinced Elder James to stay, when God call Elder Choyce elsewhere. Telling him ”you got us all out here, put your staff in the sand and do the work God called you to do. With God we will make this work.”
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Elder James and his family ministered faithfully in Swedesboro at Gospel Center Church of God in Christ which was changed to St James Pentecostal Church of God in Christ when First Baptist Church of Swedesboro built a new church and sold their church to Elder James. The Church in Swedesboro grew, with many ministries being birthed and many lives being saved. Pastor Schwartz believed in and lived a life of Holiness and consecration to the Lord. He truly availed himself to his members, family and friend in need, sick and shut in. You could always count on Pastor Schwartz to be there.
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A few of his favorite scriptures:
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“Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”
Ephesians 3:20
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"Serve the Lord with Gladness, come before his presence with singing"
Psalms 100:2
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"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
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Pastor Schwartz loved to go fishing. He was a fishermen naturally but he was a God gifted fisher of men. He was a father to many that had no father, he would minister to the lowest of the low and build them back up again saying God Bless you and Heaven smile upon you.
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God elevated Elder James to serve as District Superintendent of The EA Reid District of The First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Bishop Martin Luther Johnson, Prelate, then he was blessed to serve again as District Superintendent of the Greater Power House District in the South Jersey Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Bishop Curley Guidry- Prelate (Deceased) Present Prelate, Bishop Tyrone McCombs.
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Superintendent James A. Schwartz Sr. leaves a rich legacy of Holiness for his Children, His Children’s children and all those that benefited from his words of wisdom and sat under his leadership.
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Our Founder, Bishop, Superintendent, Pastor, Father, Uncle, and friend to many will be sadly missed. We Morn his parting but Celebrate his Long Fruitful Life. Rejoicing in the fullness of his Life is His Wife of almost 72 years, Mother Thelma C. Schwartz, Their 5 Children, Diane (Deceased)( George Thornton), Karen Schwartz, Janette Schwartz, Bernadette Schwartz, Pastor James A. Schwartz Jr. (Evg. Antoinette), and Tanya Schwartz, 16 Grandchildren, 12 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great Grandchild, 2 Brothers Junius E. White Jr( Francine- Deceased), and Calvin Swartz (Aileen), and a sister Matilda Simmons. Along with a Host of Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, In-laws, Church family everywhere he went, Neighbors and so many friends!
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The Most Profound statement that Superintendent Schwartz said to all of us was “Love the People". Love the People exemplifies how our Bishop lived.
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Lovingly Submitted,
The Family
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