50 States Church Surch, Week 34

  Grace Fellowship Baptist Church, Robbinsville, NC

 

"Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can come boldly and confidently into God's presence."

Ephesians 3:12

 

I did not want to go to church today. Rain streaked down the window and cars passed by, their wipers working hard against the onslaught. However, with my Catholic upbringing seared into my mind (you drag your sorry carcass to church no matter WHAT happens. If your arm falls off, bring it with you, because you wouldn't want to go to heaven and have your severed arm go to hell now, would you?), I put on the rain gear and rode through an almost deserted town.

The sign in the lot said, 'Dragon Slayers Welcome Here.' All right.

GFBC proved to be a very friendly church, from the Wal-Mart greeter who took time to chat, to BJ, Kay, (I wanted to ask her if every kiss began with her, but stopped myself), Allen, Robert, Andy, and of course Pastor Dave. I sat in a padded chair, decorated to match the pale blue carpet. White walls and ceiling kept the decor simple, but for a couple of gold candelabra type chandeliers. The choir sat in the front and a single piano provided accompaniment.  Robert led worship, and we sang Christmas carols, every single verse. It was just a fine church, a close knit family.

But the real bonus was the Children's Sermon. Pastor Dave taught us why we have Christmas trees. Do you know what they represent? Originally, the Druids (who worshipped the earth and stuff) held celebrations, but the Christians changed it up. Anyway, centuries ago Christians remembered Adam and Eve and the fall of man on Christmas Eve. Remember the trees? One was the Tree of Life and the other, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, took the fruit from the second tree, and God kicked them out so they couldn't eat of the Tree of Life, and as a result mankind suffered death.

Then came Jesus, who saved us from our sin, and reconnected us with-you guessed it, the Tree of Life! I didn't know that. So the tree represents our access to the Tree of Life, thanks to the Son of God. Fifty-nine years old and I never knew that.

Then he explained the song, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.' I knew about that. During a period of huge persecution, Christians sang the song, and every gift was code. Five gold rings, the five books of Moses, four calling birds, the four gospels, three French hens, faith, hope and love. Two turtle doves equal the Old and New Testaments. The partridge in a pear tree represented Jesus. And the pear tree? Access to the Tree of Life! Very cool.

The service ended and I worked my way out as a number of people smiled and talked. Very nice church. The sky had cleared a bit and I rode home without the rain gear.

Glad I went.

See the previous post for 'The Week in Pictures.' Thanks for following.