Services

One thing I learned in talking with my dad about Mt Calvary was how many times they actually were IN church! Now, I feel like I'm at my church a lot and growing up felt I was at every function and every service at that church, but I don't think even that compared to how many times my dad found himself in church. The had so many opportunities to worship back then, which is something rarely found today. There was always Sunday School and normal Sunday morning service as well as Sunday evening service. There was also prayer meetings on Wednesdays and youth groups. But, they also had many special services throughout the year. For New Year's Eve they had a service where they would pray in the new year. Isn't that wonderful?! I love that idea! The kids would be in the basement, eating donuts and hot cocoa. Maybe playing a little ping-pong or something, while the adults met upstairs. Then when midnight would roll around they would either be on their knees praying or having communion. Dad said it wasn't until college that he actually was up and out in the streets to experience New Year's Eve the way most of us normally do. They would have a Thanksgiving service from 10-11 and another one in the evening as a time of praise and thankfulness. He did say though, by the time everyone had their turkey, they were all pretty sleepy for that evening service. ;-) Every Good Friday from 12-3 my grandpa, Father Dawson, and Rev. Lott (both from other churches) would get together and perform a service together. Always talking about the 7 words on the cross. This is something they did each and every year for many years. Then grandpa would give an evening service that night as well. I think hearing all that makes me realize even more what a testament to the love of Christ my grandpa, and grandma too for that matter, had. And, the desire he had to offer his congregation the opportunity to worship together and often. And, you know my grandma was right by his side the entire time. Our lives are often so busy we don't take the time to give praise and thankfulness to God like we ought to. We don't take time off to pray in the new year or listen to the story of the cross on our day off. I'm sure there were many times that dad got tired of going to church all the time. I know I did as a kid. But, to still have that foundation and knowledge and love given to you, before he even really knew to appreciate it is something in itself to be thankful for.