Memories of Church

Before I leave this topic, I would like to visit once more last weekend. The funeral was at my old Lutheran church where I attended through high school and summers of college. It gave me a "firm foundation." We were in the little chapel portion of the church. There are two gorgeous stained glass windows, The Good Shepherd, and I Stand at The Door and Knock. We also went to the big sanctuary where I used to go for church every Sunday. It looked beautiful, empty, and serene on this day. The windows there are Jesus On The Water With Peter, and Easter Sunday. All around the room are lovely hardwood pews, railings and fixtures. Even the decorations above the alter are carved wood. I now go to a church where which is basically a lovingly fixed up warehouse. It is reverent and serves our purposes. I do miss some of the traditions at times. The funeral hymns we sang were wonderful: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "May Angels Lead with Gentle Hand." This one was new to me. I liked it because I was hoping my Mom might be led on by angels. The first line says, "May angels lead, with gentle hand, your soul into the promised land..." Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I was thinking of the church and how the Lord has allowed me to be a part of several denominations. I love the church. I know that someday, the humanistic element will be strong and be the church talked about in Revelation, but God says "...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt.16:18 KJV His church will stand. I am just so thankful for every saint, leader, and pastor who has helped me in my walk. And in spite of the sorrow of the funeral, last weekend was a lovely trip down my spiritual memory lane.