ANOTHER CHURCH VISIT

We're on vacation with quite a few family members.  Being Sunday morning, most of us attended the Hope Town St. James Methodist Church.  The service began at 11:00 AM with an organ call to worship by Mr. Barry Talley, who formerly played at the chapel on the campus of the United States Naval Academy (while Travis attended there).  

The church building is a lovely, white structure built so that the congregation looks out two windows at the aqua and azure blue Atlantic Ocean.  Remarkably, it was barely damaged by the hurricane in 2019.

Mrs. Suzanne Bethel stepped forward after the prelude to give greetings, recognize guests and share announcements.  She had a comfortable, relaxed, even humorous way about her and her island accent was a delight to listen to.  She asked guests to stand and identify themselves.  I went first, followed by our family members.  Then others followed suit.  The guests had the regular attenders outnumbered significantly.  There may have been ten (mostly elderly and all white) who were actually from the island of Elbow Cay.  

Mr. C. Vernon Malone serves as the Regional Lay Moderator and Lay Preacher.  He called us to worship with a responsive reading from Psalm 126, using the United Methodist Hymnal.  Then we sang "This Is My Father's World", followed by the pastoral prayer.  

Then came the singing of "More Love To Thee, O Christ" followed by two scripture lessons read by lay people:  Isaiah 21:1-13 and John 9:24-41.  This led to a time for prayers of intercession, following which we approached the altar one-at-a-time [due to COVID] to present our tithes and offerings.  Brother Malone offered a humble expression of gratitude to God for His faithfulness.

We sang "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me" before he gave the message based on the scripture readings.  He read a carefully prepared message that touched on both scripture lessons, reminding us that like the man born blind (in John), we too are sinners who need to be saved.  He then referenced Isaiah's vision of destruction in Babylon and Edom.  He told stories of the devastation experienced on the island.  He emphasized that our role as believers is to stand with and for Jesus and be helpers to those who have such great needs.

Mr. Malone is a humble layman who is 84 years of age.  He and his wife are islanders who run a bakery in Hope Town.  During the storm they decided to ride it out at their bakery.  It seems that God may have directed them to do so, since their home was leveled.  He has a gracious and humble manner that draws you to him.  

In closing, we sang "Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart" and were dismissed with a heartfelt benediction by Brother Malone.  Almost everyone lingered for a bit to greet one another through masks and no touching.  

All-in-all, it was a pleasant experience and I personally felt the presence of the Lord here.  

My sister-in-law, Janie (husband, Peter) apparently leaked that I will be here through next Sunday, so I will be the speaker next week.  You all are welcome to come!  :-)