Church in the Windshield

Church in the Windshield 

 

The Trinity United Methodist Church

July 14, 2019

 

Russell, Kansas, is the home of the Trinity United Methodist Church. The Trinity United Methodist Church is an absolute piece of constructive art. Just a look at the structure itself says to us, “Come and Worship . . . You are welcome.” I stop for a moment and remember some of the pastors from years gone by and am surprised by the number of clergy names that I recall. Russell Trinity has been a very stable church over the years, faithful to God and a blessing to the community.

Sheron and I make our pilgrimage up the slightly curved sidewalk but before we enter the building, we observed the corner stone with a carved written message. The message and blessing is taken from:

 2 Chronicles 7:16 and contains these words: “I have chosen and sanctified this house that my name may be there forever.”

 

This 1952 blessing from God and commitment from the church has been the sustaining foundation for this church for many decades. It’s also a great reminder of what the church is really all about. Jesus implied, “I have chosen this place to bare my name forever.” What an awesome responsibility!

 

As we entered the sanctuary, we observed the worship area and saw the mighty pipe organ. Churches often favor this delightful aid of worship.  It’s not only the heavenly full resonating voluminous sounds that lift the spirit to the heavens on high, but the pipes add to the church décor as well. I not only like to hear the beautiful music emanating from the pipes but also the slight “chuff, chuff” particularly of the larger pipes as air enters their well-tuned voices of praise.

 

There were flowers on the altar in good taste of yellows, reds and brown. Each stood behind a candle of light like cherubs, protecting the word of God, holy and true.  Two cloths, adorned the altar of this holy place, each with crown and cross to remind us of the death and resurrection of a king. The altar itself reminds me of the Ark of the Covenant as identified in Exodus 25:10.

"Have them make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.

(A cubit is approximately 18 inches)

I am always amazed how modern day furniture ties to worship of the past.

 

The Trinity Church has some of the most gorgeous stained glass windows that deliver light, color, and message. You can feel the presence of God even as you sit in the sanctuary and absorb the presence of the spirit.

These stained glass windows have such intricate detail that each one must have taken countless hours and hours to lead the pieces of each one. Art work like this can only be accomplished by using God given skills, talents, and foresight vision.

The traditional worship service gave us a lift for the day and the message was something that we needed at this point in our lives. God always has some encouragement our lives if we listen through the word, singing, praying and the pastor’s message. We give God thanks for all the pastor’s that work so hard to hear God’s word through the week so they can share God’s message on Sunday.

 

 

The Rev. Mike Ketchens is the pastor of the Trinity United Methodist Church. He is new to the Trinity church this year. He has a delightful and friendly personality, mingles well with people and is very dedicated to preaching God’s message. Certainly, our prayers are with him as he embarks on this venture in his life time journey of faith.

Pastors of all denominations receive a special calling from God to give of themselves a life of service. What is a calling from God?  It is like an inner voice that says, “Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) Through the spirit, pastors just know that is what God wants them to do.

At the close of the service and after friendly conversation, we left the building and saw a sign worth a picture. Perhaps we could call it another “Aha” moment.

I looked at the sign and thought to myself, God has no limits. He does things in His own time, at His own speed and in His own way. None the less, when God acts, it is never too early, never too late, but always right on time . . . God’s time. So for me, the “Aha” moment was “slow down . . . be patient and God will take care of you . . . in His own time.

If you would like to visit a friendly, down to earth church that lifts up the name of God, then you will want to visit the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas. Worship times are 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. The church will give you a warm welcome

 

Until next time: Be patient and God will take care of you in His own time.

Ron & Sheron, drivers behind the windshield