Friday, August 7, 2009

Clarks Chapel Methodist Church





One of the best experiences I have had in a long time was visiting the sanctuary of Clarks Chapel Methodist Church in Cary, Miss. It is a small church, non-descript, along the highway that wends through the small Delta town. What grabbed my attention most of all was the well-worn pews of the church. Pictured above are some of the hymnals and a Bible that rested in the pews. The photos were shot in available light. The last picture is a Bible Stories book that I found while sitting in one of the pews. I grew up with these books and the memories flooded back as I held it in my hand. I took the photo after I had finished going back 40 or so years in time. The top photo is a picture of Jesus that was in a little side room of the church.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get caught up in all the sophistication that modern worship now makes available. We've got projectors, PowerPoints, dance troupes, every musical instrument available, lighting setups, and all sort of modern gadgetry to enhance the worship experience. But nothing, I tell you, can beat the feeling of worship I felt when I sat in that old worn pew and thought about our Savior. I thought about all the people over time who had likewise sat in that spot and listened to a simple message about a loving God. The pew was worn shiny by usage over time and that sheen on the pew spoke so eloquently to me. We have a mighty God and it does not matter to Him how we come to him in worship. He heard me on this day say a prayer to Him from a simple pew in a simple church. It doesn't get any better than that.

5 comments:

  1. So true. There's just something about the sweet simplicity of those older churches. There have been many 'improvement's along the way in modern worship (Don't get me wrong... I LOVE the worship at my church!) but something has been left behind along the way. Thanks for bringing it back in your photography.

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  2. Beautifully portrayed, beautifully said.

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  4. I just had to come back for another look at the pews---church pews are going the way of the 8-track and the typewriter, so I'm SO glad you've captured these.

    That sinner-swiurmed shine and Feel-the-Spirit polish is like the glow on a well-loved Camaro in the light of the windows. You'll never find that Gleam of Glory on a plastic folding chair or a velvet flip-down theater seat.

    Or perhaps YOU could.

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  5. Well, Heck. Off to my spelling lesson. Or typing.

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