Streams of Mercy

Yesterday we celebrated the 204th anniversary of the Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church. With continuing “pandemic” uncertainty, there were no folks coming home for the special day, and there was no homecoming luncheon, yet still we celebrated.

Our children heard a story of Scots who sailed across the ocean and up the Cape Fear River to this very spot, to build our church. We were all reminded of the rich heritage reflected in the colors of our Jackson Springs Presbyterian tartan – green for pine trees, black for pine tar, blue for springs and waterfalls, and peach for our delicious peaches! We sang our Bicentennial Hymn – “From highland peaks to Jackson Springs, where healing waters flow; the Scots of old, they made their way, God’s kingdom seeds to sow.”

It was the message and prayer that were most special. I was honored to “preach” a sermon by the Rev. Leland Richardson, beloved son of this church. He preached this sermon at the 50th reunion of the West End High Class of l952, in the fall of 2001. “What Can We Do When Trade Towers Fall?” was filled with memories of 9/11 and the changes the passing of time brings to all our lives.

“Nothing in this world is permanent – nothing tangible we cling to except for a moment- “So passeth in the passing of an hour of mortal life- the leaf-the bird-the flower …What can we do? To whom can we turn when Trade Towers tumble and our worlds come crashing in upon us? Who can give hope and comfort when doors close and voices fall painfully silent? … God is not a fleeting shadow- here today and gone tomorrow. Look up with the eyes of faith and behold Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus, the Christ – immovable, enduring, the alpha and omega – the beginning and the end – reigning triumphantly in the midst of change and decay wrought by fleeting time …Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

He lead us through Vietnams, failed marriages and unfulfilled dreams, and long nights of fear and uncertainty … Jesus is the bridge over troubled waters, the doctor in the emergency room; the parent who gently lifts the frightened and crying child in her arms as the night thunder storms rage outside her window. Jesus is the architect who rebuilds our trade towers when they are knocked down … Buildings may crash at the hands of terrorists like Ben Laden; landmarks we knew and came to appreciate and love, like West End High may pass; the place we once called home may be locked or in a state of decay, and the family we knew gone.; industry like the furniture plant may close. Thomas Wolfe’s titled book may be true – “You Can’t Go Home Again.” But that is not the end, not the final word! The final word is right here in our midst – the living Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Words of Rev. Richardson’s Bicentennial Prayer blessed us once again:

“We give thanks for this church that has preached and taught the good news through the years. With grateful hearts, we hear again the voices of those saints who taught us – that you are a God of love, grace and mercy, who came to redeem, not to condemn; to heal, not to hurt; to love, not to despise; to forgive, not to judge”…

The words of our closing hymn were sung from the heart, and in deeper ways than ever before –

“O God our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our Guide while life shall last,

and our eternal Home.”

Giving thanks for this year’s homecoming celebration, and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing. “God be with us, til we meet again.”

Elizabeth