The old hymns we sang in the traditional service spoke to the deepest part of soul as they were songs from childhood. Foundational faith stirrings came to the surface as I sang with the congregation, "Shall We Gather at the River?" The words resonate with my soul.
"Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God."
Thinking of the saints that I have encountered through the years, I am moved to strive on a little better, holding my head up high - proud of my spiritual heritage. As I moved to children's church with my little charge, I engage in a conversation of a different nature. The childish joy of the little boy over his recent accomplishment: tying his shoes, also brings me back to a foundational time in my life. I remember a sweet Sunday school teacher who shared those accomplishments with me long ago.
"Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven"
The children move their chairs to the center of the room to begin our time of sharing highs and lows (Joys and concerns). I begin selecting children to share their prayers. Young boy with a fresh hair cut is exuberant that his father is home from his military post, a little girl has received a new purse, several of our regular families are traveling on vacation. Summer time boo boos consume our prayer time. But I remember how the death of young child in our community has deeply impacted two of our families and some of our troubled youth are facing more tough decisions. I remember children in a neighborhood are about to be dispersed to new neighborhoods where they will be strangers, not friends.
God is with us.
As I enter the arbor, I moved by the sense of history that I see and feel. The breeze is delightful playing between the rustic pews and blooming crepe myrtles stand in for stained glass windows. The little hymnals and funeral home fans harken me back to a past day. I imagine the Conestoga wagons that may have been pulled by mules and horses from 20-30 miles away a hundred years ago. The "tents" which surround the arbor complete the historic picture. The preacher up front reminds us of our Jesus invited all to His table. That we are all included. And later, he lives up to Jesus' promise as he opens the Holy Communion table to us.
Our faith is ancient and transcends man's division of time. Our faith is our heritage, passed on to us. We get to pass it on to those who are coming along. The Kingdom of God is here with us. The river flows by the Kingdom of God.
