Little Country Church Poem

Little Country Church

Wooden, white, weathered and worn,
surrounded by hard pack, thistle and thorn.
Whitewash fades from warping walls.
The steeple bell no longer calls
the faithful in to find their pews
and be inspired by God’s Good News.
Stained glass memories of better days
create a multi colored haze
on unused pulpit, dust-caked floors,
a broken chair and open doors.

Tractor tracks gouge the gravel drive
where farming families once arrived
on Sunday morning and Wednesday night.
But now, the economic plight
has forced those families off the land
and into lives they never planned.
Weeds grow through the picket fence
that surrounds the congregants
who lay beneath once well-kept sod.
Headstones proclaim their faith in God
and say they have gone on to Glory.
But, no one’s here to read their story.

The scene is quaint and some say, sad.
An empty church. But it’s not bad
because the seeds of faith they grew
have been transplanted someplace new.
The good news soon to be revealed
is of the increased harvest yield.
God’s field hands have been moved to where
they can witness, love and care
for those whose lives are in the lurch.
See, that building’s just a building.
God’s people are The Church.

Poem by, Jeff Hildebrandt 

Stained glass window in the Grant Park Chapel
at the Christian Conference Center near Newton, Iowa.

Yesterday Jeff Frank and I attended the Christian Church in the Uppermidwest's 2015 All Congregational Gathering in Newton, Iowa.  A large part of the gathering was the dedication of the various parts of the new Worship Center.

Some of the funding came from Churches that had closed their doors and the congregations gifted to the region remaining funds to go towards the construction of this wonderful worship center.  Hearing their stories reminded me of the poem that I linked above.

Tomorrow I'll post up the manuscript for the sermon today at Woodlawn Christian Church and tell you more about my week and weekend.  For tonight, I'm a bit tired and I need to get some shut-eye.

Remember to "Be A Blessing To Someone Today"!

In His abundant love & grace,
Roy

Parsonage at Woodlawn Christian Church, Lake City, Iowa - Spring of 2015
WmRoy Karlen photo

Windows in the sanctuary at Woodlawn Christian Church, Lake City, Iowa.
WmRoy Karlen photograph