Services at two Atlanta churches with close ties to Maynard Jackson Jr. and his family were filled with tributes Sunday and messages urging people to continue his legacy.

Maynard "Buzzy" Jackson III, speaking to the worshippers gathered at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, gave thanks for the outpouring of support from his church family.

But he reminded them that the initial shock was over, and that it's time for people to translate the vision of his father, the first black mayor of Atlanta, into actions that will make the city a better place to live.

"I don't want to hear 'I'm sorry for your loss' anymore," said the 32-year-old Jackson, as his sister Brooke, mother Burnella "Bunnie" Jackson Ransom and other family members sat nearby. "I haven't lost anything. If anything, I've gained something."

Similar sentiments were heard from several speakers who paid tribute to Maynard Jackson Jr., who died June 23 after he had a heart attack at Washington's Reagan National Airport.

Atlanta City Councilman Jim Maddox recalled meetings held by Jackson with black City Council members about ways to increase job opportunities and access to political power for Atlanta's black residents.

Jackson "made affirmative action a reality in the city of Atlanta," said Maddox, who was elected to the City Council in 1977, the year Jackson won a second term as mayor.

Councilman C.T. Martin reminded the audience about Jackson's accomplishments, preaching to the congregation that his work will continue through service by elected officials and the activism of residents.

"His latest thirst . . . was voter turnout," Martin said.

Councilman Ivory Young remembered calling Jackson soon after moving from Virginia to Atlanta. "He told me to meet with him," Young recalled. "He made a call, and the next day I had a job."

The Rev. Dr. Mwalimu Burgest, associate pastor at Providence, read aloud a poem he had written the night before.

Piggybacking off Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's "lion of a man" remarks earlier in the week, Burgest wrote a poem titled "A Lion of a Leader."

"Even in his death, he exposed our sins," he read, speaking of the controversy surrounding Gov. Sonny Perdue's decision to lower state flags in tribute to Jackson on Saturday only.

At Friendship Baptist Church in downtown Atlanta, the Rev. William V. Guy spoke about Jackson's commitment to Christ. Friendship Baptist was Maynard Jackson Jr.'s church, and his father had been pastor there. Jackson had been preparing to join the men's choir in song at the church's annual Men's Day worship service.

Instead, the men paid tribute to Jackson with a moment of silence and by dedicating Sunday's service in his honor.

Maynard Jackson III told the audience at Providence the best thing about his father was that none of the recognition went to his head.

"One thing Dad was, he was a great man," he said. "And he did great things, but he was humble. He knew God. And he didn't get caught up in receiving accolades. Today, I want to give honor to my dad, who stood his ground so firmly. One thing I learned is that I won't try to fill those shoes.

"But I'll use them as a guide."