Newton Cowan, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care
It’s hard to believe that this coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Well maybe not so hard to believe given that the Christmas music has been playing for over a month not to mention the ads and other ways to extend the season.
Soon the Christmas movies will fill the screens, especially the classics like A Christmas Carol. The famous Scrooge is haunted by the ghosts of past, present and future. Perhaps you remember the film.
Well just 2 weeks ago, the body of Salem Presbytery gathered at Alamance Presbyterian. Their Senior Pastor Kyle Goodman preached for the worship service. He began by talking about the myth that has been floating around the youth group for years. It’s about a supposed ghost, a lady in a black dress. You see Alamance Presbyterian has one of the largest private cemeteries in the state. And so, ghost stories are all around that place.
Kyle went on in the sermon to talk about those who have gone before in the leadership of Alamance Presbyterian and how often we can listen to the voices of the past. The voices that say we used to have standing room only for worship, that we use to do this and that program.
His sermon has stayed with me as he challenged us to consider the ghosts of our own churches and wondering if those voices are still speaking?
As a child of this church, I can remember when. When we came an hour early for Lessons and Carols, just to get a seat. When the pews were full, Sunday School classes were packed out. I walk down the hall and look at those who came before me, the elders and I give thanks for their leadership.
I also give thanks for who we are today. I give thanks that we are seeking God’s will in 2023 and planning well beyond 2023. I give thanks to the 9 new members we welcomed during Session one week ago, for the children showing up for choir, for young families coming on Sunday, for the new members, who have moved here for retirement and have joined in groups to get involved.
We look back and say thank you for the voices, the people who built this place, this church of Jesus Christ we know as First Presbyterian. I look now and say thank you to our Session and many other leaders who are faithful in their attendance and service, and I look forward with great hope and anticipation to what God has instore of us as we celebrate 200 years and well beyond. God is doing a new thing here. We build on the past, live into the now and press on toward a bright and wonderful future. Thanks be to God!!
