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As we continue in this time called "Eastertide" I found this poem by Kristi Bothur so appropriate during these days of world pandemic. I hope you'll agree.
Blessings,
Pastor Erik
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How the Virus Stole Easter
by Kristi Bothur
with a nod to Dr. Seuss
Twas late in '19 when the virus began Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.
People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
As winter gave way to the promise of spring, The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.
People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen, They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
April approached, and churches were closed. "There won't be an Easter," the world supposed.
"There won't be church services, and egg hunts are out. No reason for new dresses when we can't go about."
Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest. The world was focused on masks and on tests.
"Easter can't happen this year," it proclaimed. "Online and at home, it just won't be the same."
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went. The virus pressed on, just would not relent.
The world woke Sunday, and nothing had changed. The virus still menaced, the people estranged.
"Pooh, pooh to the saints," the world was grumbling. "They're finding out now that no Easter is coming."
"They're just waking up! We know just what they'll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo."
"That noise," said the world, "will be something to hear." So it paused, and the world put a hand to its ear.
And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies, It started down low, then it started to rise.
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But the sound wasn't depressed.
Why this sound was triumphant!
It couldn't be so! But it grew with abundance!
The world stared around, popping its eyes. Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!
Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small, Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!
It hadn't stopped Easter from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine Stood puzzling and puzzling. "Just how can it be?"
"It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies. It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money."
Then the world thought of something it hadn't before. "Maybe Easter," it thought, "doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more."
And what happened then?
Well...this story's not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two people needing hope in this night? Will you share the source of your life in this fight?
The churches are empty - but so is the tomb, And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.
So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer, As the virus rages all around, everywhere.
May the world see hope when it looks at God's people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find faith in Jesus' death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let it start a revival.
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To watch previous worship services, please check out our YouTube channel by clicking below!
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Online Giving Now Available
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We invite you to give online! The work on the church must go on even though we might not be meeting in person. We have set up a secure and easy way for you to give online and encourage you to do so. Click here to be directed. Or you can go to the church website and click on the "Give" tab or click the picture above. Thank you for being faithful with your tithes and offerings! |
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We are making plans for a very special Homecoming celebrating our church’s 190th birthday, and we want to invite ALL our family and friends—and that is where we need YOUR help! Please call or email the church office with email/snail mail addresses for your family members or anyone you know who has a connection/history with First United Methodist Church of West Point. We want to extend to them a personal invitation to join us for the festivities!
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In this time of crisis, we are trying to help by providing food to those in need. If you would like to give non-perishable food items, please place them in the Little Free Pantry.
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Marianna Tomlin
Florence Hand Home, Room B-29
200 Medical Park
LaGrange, GA 30240
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Thank you to Judy Wilkinson for the "Bunny Bags" of toiletries she prepared for the Meals on Wheels recipients! They were much appreciated!
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World-Wide Easter Choir:
"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today"
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During these challenging times, please know that your pastors are here for you. Please reach out to them if you would like to schedule a one-on-one Zoom of FaceTime call.
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In an effort to keep our staff safe and healthy, the physical church office is closed due to COVID-19. Our church staff will be working remotely so know that we are here for you if you should need us. Sherry will be checking the church email from home, and she is available by phone at 706-773-1046. Pastor Erik is available at 770-861-3096. Please call if you need us for anything including pastoral care.
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190th Anniversary
Blast from the Past
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The First United Methodist Church is proud to have been a pioneer resident on West Point’s oldest street, Troup Street, now East 10th Street. Named for Governor George M. Troup, of Georgia, it was where the first settlement of the town was made and called Franklin until 1832.
Before the sale of town lots, about 1828-29, a survey was made and business blocks for the new town laid off. Some of the blocks had alleys, still seen and in use today.[Still true in 2020] Business activity, a few simple stores and taverns, and a trading post for Indians, concentrated where there had been a heavy canebrake between Richmond Street, now Avenue C, and the Chattahoochee River.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, standing at the corner of Troup Street and the Columbus Road, now Avenue E and U.S. Highway 29, an impressive little framed building among log houses and a few framed structures, was a sustaining sight to newcomers and travelers in 1834.
West Point was a river crossing for those going into East Alabama. Many Indians were in the territory across the river, long the boundary between whites and redskins. Chambers County, Alabama was created in 1833.
Georgia militia troops gathered at West Point in 1836 and moved into East Alabama to protect settlers against Indian warfare waged along the Chattahoochee before the Indians were removed to the West.
At the foot of Troup Street, there was a ferry for crossing the deep and swift river. When a covered wooden toll bridge was completed in 1839, it was an incentive for merchants and residents to begin a business section and build homes on the west side. Bridge Street was the name of present East 7th Street where the Methodists sought a new location and the church has been a light and inspiration since 1853.
The church leadership wanted their church “to be where the action is” 150 years ago, and that is the heritage of its force in 1980. [and we think 2020 as well!]
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The May-June Upper Rooms are now available. Call the church, and Helen will leave one on your doorstep.
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