Streams of Mercy

Yesterday we celebrated the 205th anniversary of the Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church. We gave thanks for the day, for each other, for the joy of gathering together on this holy ground dear to our hearts, and for the memories of people and times past that fill our hearts with love, longing and with gratitude. We remembered with gratitude our history and our hope for our future in this special place.

The words of our Bicentennial Hymn spoke to our hearts as we sang together:

“From highland peaks to Jackson Springs, where healing waters flow; the Scots of old, they made their way, God’s kingdom seeds to sow.

The Word is preached, the table spread; our hearts are open wide; to love our neighbor as ourselves, and serve Christ crucified.

The stained glass windows, all around, the old, old story tell; and chiming hymns throughout the day, remind us all is well.

Through sun and shadow, joy and pain, our losses and our gains; By grace, we make our homeward way, through valleys, hills and plains.

From day to day and year to year, two hundred, come and gone; the faith of generations past, that faith will lead us home.”

For a second time, we heard words from a sermon by a beloved son of this church, the Rev. Leland Richardson, written shortly after 9/11, and delivered at Bensalem Presbyterian at the 50th reunion of the West End High Class of l952. “What can we do when trade towers fall?” was the title of his sermon.

“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 … Hold on look up! Remember God created you, loves you, and redeems you in Jesus Christ. 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.”

We were challenged to encourage each other with these words, and we so encouraged one another. We prayed, and heard once again Rev. Richardson’s words,

“We give thanks for this church that has preached and taught the good news through the years. With grateful l 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.”

As we look to the future, in all the changing seasons of life, from year to year- in the best of times and in the worst of times, may God’s Word would be preached and taught and lived in this special place. May God continue to complete the good work begun over 200 years ago, so that those who come after us “find us faithful.”

Elizabeth