Church in the Windshield

Church in the Windshield

Hesston United Methodist Church

October 14, 2018

Hesston, Kansas is a town a few miles north of Newton, just off of Interstate 35 (I35).  Head west on Lincoln Street and in a few blocks, you will come to a stop sign. Look to the right and you will see the Hesston United Methodist Church, beautifully designed and well landscaped. A curved drive accents the front of the church, provides an avenue that leads to the front door for easy access of handicapped and others. The curved drive sweeps to the left and flows in front of an empty cross and a red flame, the United Methodist symbol and logo. The empty cross symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus and the flame represents the spirit of God.

Turn into the parking lot and you will see a sign that says “Welcome.” As you leave the parking lot there is a sign that says, “You are entering your mission field.” What a great reminder! The church’s mission field is always just beyond the sign.

Immediately behind the sign are two gray colored rectangular boxes placed stately on iron pipe pedestals.  What are those?  The first thought is that they are some sort of mail box . . . perhaps electrical distribution boxes of some sort.  But why are they in the parking lot? We ponder that for a moment and then read a sign that says, “Take what you need . . . Give what you can.” The boxes contain some food and health items.  These boxes are there to help people day or night. What a great idea! The little jingle gets embedded in your mind and resides there, “Take what you need . . . Give what you can.”

It was cold the Sunday that we visited the Hesston Church We parked in front and close to the door. Rain drops falling on our head and shoulders quickly made our jackets moist. With a press of a button our umbrella emitted a “whoop” and opened protecting our hair from a drench tragedy.  We hurried inside where we were welcomed by friendly greeters, warm air, tasty baked goods, and ice tea or coffee.

We met lots of people and some good friends of ours, Stan and LeAnn. They were the ones that invited us to come and “fill in” for their pastor Rev. Keith Schadel who needed to be gone that Sunday. We read over the bulletin and I became orientated to my expected responsibilities.

A quick look in the sanctuary revealed to us the picture on the right.  The pews were padded, the carpet was clean and the lights turned on. Beautiful stained glass windows on either side of the sanctuary enhanced the worship area and created a sense of well-being. A high rustic brown colored dome gives us a sense of awe and a feeling of being in the presence of God. High hanging lights illuminated the soon to be filled pews and the ever so holy place at the front of the church; a place where preachers preach and laymen read scripture. Children come to hear stories of Jesus and maybe one day to be baptized.

Three crosses at the front of the church, one on top of the other are both interesting and captivating. What do they mean?  According to the documentation that I received from our friends Stan and LeAnn, the sculpture was designed for “provocative meditation for you to confront God who is light, life and love.”

For us, this dynamic sculpture represents the death of Christ and the two thieves dying on the cross; the resurrection to heaven and praise to God. Whatever interpretation you put on it, your eyes are drawn to this magnificent master piece . . . to meditate upon . . . to think about and connect with God . . . at least for the moment. Come to think of it, it just did what it was supposed to do.

The service went well that morning and I got to do what I like to do best; paint word pictures and preach the word of Jesus. The sermon text for the morning was Mark 10:17-31, the story of the rich young man who wanted to check his standing with God.  Jesus told him to sell what he had and give to the poor . . . the man went away saddened.  What possession(s) do we have that would keep us from having a full and meaning relationship with God?  It might not be riches . . . could it be cell phones . . . computers . . . broken relationships?  What if we asked Jesus about our standing and he told us what we didn’t want to hear.  Would we walk away . . . saddened?

Well, the service ended, the benediction was said and we sang, “God Be With You, Till We Meet Again.” The Hesston United Methodist Church is a neat Church; we had a great experience, and I hope we do meet again!

Until next time, keep the faith, meditate on God and follow as He leads you.

Blessings

Ron & Sheron, The drivers behind the windshield

Epilogue: If you would like to attend a great church, stop and visit the Hesston United Methodist Church.  They would love to have you; they have a great church family and a great preacher, the Rev. Keith Schadel.  The church service starts at 10:10 a.m.