John Barber, Pastor
Worship Style - Traditional with some praise music
Today we chose to go to the church where Denise was baptized in 1957. This is also the church her dad attended once he moved to Holden as a teenager. His first home is now the building that houses Miles Funeral Home, which is also on Main Street in Holden. This is also the church that his sister, Denise's aunt, Viola Oliver attended and was active in running their "Corner Shop". So, there are a lot of connections.
We were greeted at the entrance and found our way upstairs to the sanctuary. The sanctuary has a clean, bright appearance with a beautiful stained glass piece behind the altar. We later learned that they are in the process of reconditioning their 1927 Casavant pipe organ. (As a side note, the organist was Denise's Geology professor at Worcester State College and a friend of her uncle, Russell Stanhope.) There were approximately 75-80 people in attendance.
The service began with two praise songs with the words on a large screen followed by a traditional worship program. Pastor Barber was continuing a Bible study called "The Story" that appears to be taking the congregation on an entire walk through the Bible. Today's scripture was from the books of Ezra, Haggai, and 1Peter. His sermon was entitled, "Rebuild and Keep Rebuilding and Don't Give Up". As Pastor Barber says, "Life is hard. It is easy to start something, easy to finish something but the work is in the middle. So what has God called you to do?"
We were taken on the difficult journey of the Israelites though scripture regarding rebuilding their temple. The Lord speaks to the prophet, Haggai, saying that they have been working on the wrong things and that is why they are not blessed. " Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses." Haggai 1:9b. The people obeyed and feared the Lord. Haggai 1:12. So as Pastor Barber reminded us, "it is easy to get off track, stop wasting your time on the little things. He challenged us to consider that we are called by God to rebuild His church today. The most important point, "Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, saying, I am with you, says the Lord". Haggai 1:13. I AM WITH YOU, SAYS THE LORD!
Finally, we also found Jesus in the the presentation of a one week old baby and the recognition of a couple that have been together for 68 years. As we were leaving Denise asked if they had a secret. The wife said, "One day you kiss him and the next you give him a push". Wise advice.
Worship Style - Traditional with some praise music
Today we chose to go to the church where Denise was baptized in 1957. This is also the church her dad attended once he moved to Holden as a teenager. His first home is now the building that houses Miles Funeral Home, which is also on Main Street in Holden. This is also the church that his sister, Denise's aunt, Viola Oliver attended and was active in running their "Corner Shop". So, there are a lot of connections.
We were greeted at the entrance and found our way upstairs to the sanctuary. The sanctuary has a clean, bright appearance with a beautiful stained glass piece behind the altar. We later learned that they are in the process of reconditioning their 1927 Casavant pipe organ. (As a side note, the organist was Denise's Geology professor at Worcester State College and a friend of her uncle, Russell Stanhope.) There were approximately 75-80 people in attendance.
The service began with two praise songs with the words on a large screen followed by a traditional worship program. Pastor Barber was continuing a Bible study called "The Story" that appears to be taking the congregation on an entire walk through the Bible. Today's scripture was from the books of Ezra, Haggai, and 1Peter. His sermon was entitled, "Rebuild and Keep Rebuilding and Don't Give Up". As Pastor Barber says, "Life is hard. It is easy to start something, easy to finish something but the work is in the middle. So what has God called you to do?"
We were taken on the difficult journey of the Israelites though scripture regarding rebuilding their temple. The Lord speaks to the prophet, Haggai, saying that they have been working on the wrong things and that is why they are not blessed. " Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses." Haggai 1:9b. The people obeyed and feared the Lord. Haggai 1:12. So as Pastor Barber reminded us, "it is easy to get off track, stop wasting your time on the little things. He challenged us to consider that we are called by God to rebuild His church today. The most important point, "Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, saying, I am with you, says the Lord". Haggai 1:13. I AM WITH YOU, SAYS THE LORD!
Finally, we also found Jesus in the the presentation of a one week old baby and the recognition of a couple that have been together for 68 years. As we were leaving Denise asked if they had a secret. The wife said, "One day you kiss him and the next you give him a push". Wise advice.