—One Last Sermon—
The date is 8/28/2022. I’m in North East Jefferson County.
I pulled into the Church’s parking lot and stared at the building.
Memories of a younger me ringing the Church Bell come rushing back.
I didn’t want to attend today; I turned the vehicle off, got out, and began the slow walk inside.
I adjusted my tie.
Providence is a Church with a long, rich history dating back to 1895—It is 127 Years Old. It’s the Church of my Family.
I, along with Fifteen others, gathered in the Fellowship Hall.
The mood was Somber.
My family had asked me to attend and write something about the Church—My Families Church.
It was to be the Last Sermon for Providence—one Last Sermon after One Hundred and Twenty-Seven Years of Sermons.
How does one Capture something such as this? The fact is, I can’t. I can’t even come close.
In 1895, many families, including my Great Grandfather, helped to build the Church—To start the Church. And, It would play an instrumental part in the Community.
The Church would be there to help multitudes of people during times of Struggle. It would be there to Save people.
At its height, Providence had over One Hundred people in attendance each Sunday.
A Parsonage got donated for the Preacher and his family to live in.
The future of Providence Church looked bright.
My Mother, as a Child, along with her siblings, all attended Providence.
Sunday was a Big Day for families back then.
People dressed in their “Sunday Best” to attend. Many even walked to Church.
In this Community, Sunday always started by attending Church at Providence.
My Brothers and I got Christened at Providence.
All of their children got Christened at Providence.
Had I been able to Father a Child, I’d like to think that my Child would have gotten Christened at Providence too.
In 1895, the people of the Community knew how important God Was and how vital a Church was.
The families gathered, donated land and lumber, and paved the way for this Church.
The men and women of the Community all helped to build it.
Over its One Hundred, Twenty-Seven Years, Thousands of people have gotten Saved at Providence. Many got helped in their times of Struggle.
And many of those people played a big part in getting others Saved.
It started with the People of the Community knowing how vital God and Church were for their Community—then coming together to build Providence.
At the final service, as I looked around, I saw some crying. I saw others trying to hold back their tears.
We were all sad. We were all quiet.
The Preacher began his Sermon—One Last Sermon.
He had aptly named it “The Church Is The People; Not The Steeple.”
And it was a fitting Sermon for the ending of Providence United Methodist Church.
After all, it was the people of the Community who built the building in 1895, and it was the people of the Community who made it a Church.
My Great Grandfather and many other “Thomas'” were at the opening of Providence, and I am incredibly proud that I could be there for the closing.
And although the Church is closing, Providence in no way failed. Countless people got Saved at Providence; many are now in Heaven.
And that’s a massive win for the Kingdom.
And at this moment, as I look around, I feel incredibly proud.
I feel God. I feel Him whispering, “Job well done.”
Love you,
–Lynn
