The Church

Good Morning,

The roots of the church in America go back as far as the first settlement at Jamestown.  The first service was in 1607 when the colonists were led in worship by Rev. Robert Hunt under a sail that had been removed from one of the ships.  Here they thanked God for protecting them on their dangerous voyage and pledged themselves afresh to serve Him as they faced the task of developing a new life in this land that lay before them.   Later they erected their first building of split logs which they stood upright.  John Smith described it as "a homely thing resembling a poorly built barn." 
 
The church began to grow, and church history reveals that in the early 1800's one denomination alone was establishing, on an average, one new church per day throughout the new frontier.  We know that the church is not a building, but is made up of those that, along with Peter can say of Jesus: "....Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God."
 
".....and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
 
"He hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, and the fullness of Him that filleth all in all."
 
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
 
       "Let the Church be the Church, let the people rejoice.
       For we have settled the question and we have made our choice.
 
       Let the anthems ring out, songs of victory swell,
       For the Church triumphant is as alive and well."
                                                                         Bill Gaither
 
God bless you today, as you reflect on this and thank Him for letting you be part of His body, the church, and remember that you are loved!!!

Henry