Church in the Windshield

Hoisington United Methodist Church

January 20, 2019

 

Cloudy days and sunshine rays. It seems like this winter has had a lot of dreary cloudy days. We look to the sky to see patches of fog drifting along, ever so silently covering our world like a fluffy thick down blanket. But then, the sun begins to shine through this thick layer of fluff, only slightly at first . . . then more . . . and more. Finally the sun shines through in all of its glory sending rays of hope, promise and joy. For a while we close our eyes and absorb the warmth of the sun’s radiant heat. The Hoisington United Methodist Church has been through some difficult times but they let the SON shine . . . then more . . . more. Now the SON shines

through with all of its glory radiating God’s Hope, Peace, Grace and the Joy of Jesus to all who will receive.  The Hoisington Methodist has wonderful programs including one that encourages and brings families together. Sheron and I appreciated Teddy’s Corner (Teddy Williams the Parish nurse). This week’s corner gave keen insight to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which gave us inspiration for this week’s blog.

Hoisington, Kansas is a Central Kansas town that survived a tornado. So half of the town is old and half of the town is new. A church that weathered the storm stands humbly in the central western part of Hoisington. This church is the United Methodist Church.  During the aftermath of the storm, the church housed a food bank, (and still does) offered prayers; brought encouragement,

comfort and hope to the community. How do I know . . . Sheron, and I were there during the aftermath? Sheron, pulled a wagon with cases of bottled water down the streets while I delivered bottles of water to thirsty workers and residents. We saw first-hand the wonderful work that the church was doing; people coming to the church for basic needs both physical and spiritual. Here was a church that flew the flag of victory high and dispensed God’s grace with the clarity of a bell.  A bell now stands quietly perched on metal frame beside the church marquee.

I stand there for a moment and listen . . . though the bell is not physically ringing. I sense the bell ringing deep within my soul sounding out the joy that this church has for God.

Upon entry of the church, we saw the most beautiful sanctuary, so restful, so peaceful . . . a church

with caring people. Our eyes were immediately drawn to the front of the church to a gorgeous stained glass window of Christ with outstretched arms.  The caption within the stained glass said, “Come unto me . . .” Isn’t that a comforting invitation? How often we carry burdens that zap our spiritual lives, strain our emotional lives and stress our physical bodies. But Jesus said, “Come unto me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I WILL give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 in part). God is so good!

The church service that morning followed a traditional United Methodist service with greeting, singing, prayers and children’s time (called Young Disciples in this church).

On this particular day, we enjoyed a special treat, Ron Baily, a Lay Speaker brought the message. Ron “filled in” for Pastor Seong Lee (who was gone on this particular Sunday). This was the first Lay Speaker that we had the privilege of hearing since we started traveling and writing the “Church in the Windshield.”  Ron did an excellent job delivering the message entitled, “Time” using the scriptures found in Ecclesiastes 3:11-15. WOW, we were impressed! Here is a brief snipped: Ecclesiastes 3:11-15 New International Version (NIV). 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil . . .  .

At the end of the service we sang that great old hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth.”  This hymn seemed to be most fitting for a very “timely” message. At the close of the service, I took a picture of one of the beautiful stained glass windows (see at the right).  We visited with some friends that we had made in the church . . .  indeed a superb experience! Let’s give a “Shout Out” to the Hoisington United Methodist Church and the wonderful way they are sharing the SON!

Until next time, enjoy the beauty that God made in His own time and stay happy and peaceful in his presence.
 

Drivers behind the windshield, Ron & Sheron
 

Epilogue: If you would like to have a super worship experience, stop by the Hoisington United Methodist Church, 467 W Third St, Hoisington, Kansas. The people there will treat you right and share God’s Grace in the process. Worship time is 11:00 a.m. each Sunday.

Pictures of the church are used by permission; other pictures were free from the internet.

Church in the Windshield

 

The Cross at 213

January 6, 2019
 

Drive west on Interstate 70; west of the Ellsworth exit to mile marker 213. Look south (left) and you see the most beautiful lighted cross.  If you are like Sheron and I, you have traveled up and down Interstate 70 many times. I don’t know how many times we traveled it but it seems like a “bazillion”and yet we never get tired of seeing the cross.                               

The cross was built on faith as the wall banner of this little prairie country church shows. Fourteen people gather on a given Sunday to worship, pray and hear God’s message in the Excelsior Lutheran Church. But who knows how many people this little church reaches in just one night.

A day time look at the cross reveals something so different. This structure made of pipe, electrical boxes, bulbs and guy wires towers in the sky. An octagon structure mounted high upon the tower reveals sixteen bright LED (Light Emitting Diode) long lasting lights. The main mast supports approximately twenty-eight plus lights (I am not sure the picture

 shows all the lights). None the less, it is impressive even in day time. This structure blends so well the sky in the day time that it becomes almost invisible from Interstate 70. It is almost as if the cross is saying, “I am here waiting . . . waiting for those lonesome night time hours between dusk and dawn.” “I am waiting, but when the time comes I will be ready.” Ah yes, if only we could be like the day time cross . . . always ready . . . always waiting.

It’s night time now and the cross seems to say, “My lights are on and it is time to shine.”  Tonight, I will bring a ray of hope to some discouraged individual traveling on the Interstate. I will awaken a sleepy driver whose focus has been on segmented white lines for far too many miles. I will encourage another that life is worth living . . . don’t give up. To another, I will say, Look . . . you made it through the storm and you will be safe now. Some will see me and sing a song; some will say a prayer. Occasionally, someone will stop and take my picture.  Others will recognize me as a land mark and know that they are close to home.  But when we see the cross, aren’t we always close to home? I am reminded of the scripture that says, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).

Is it lonely here on the prairie, day after day and night after night?  No, because you see, I am not alone; I am surrounded by a battalion of “gentle giants; protectors of the prairie.” Each one twirls a triad of huge shiny silver blades in syncopated format. Many of the giants adorn themselves with a crown of red lights that slowly blink on . . . and off . . . in attractive but pleasing choreography. All day and all night, the “gentle giants” wave to me . . . and wink at me as if to say, “You are OK.”  And so it is in the real world, if we keep our eyes the cross and our faith in Jesus Christ, we will be OK.

Who says that a little country church on the prairie can’t be a great witness? Let’s give a “shout out” for the Excelsior Lutheran Church that

had the faith and foresight to light the cross.

Until next time, keep your eye on the cross and your faith in Christ.

Ron & Sheron, drivers behind the windshield

Epilogue: If you are traveling on Interstate 70 and would like to attend a great early service; stop by the Excelsior Lutheran Church (9^th Road and Avenue C east of Wilson. Service time is at 8:30 a.m. The church will give you a warm welcome and Pastor Angie Sundell does a great job.