Amazing Grace

Sunday, 4:30 a.m. 

A flashing light captures my attention from behind closed eyelids.  Rain is predicted so it could be lightning.  A quick survey reveals that it is the emergency alert indicator on my cell phone.  I check the screen to see an ASL interpreter signing:

“The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning in your area between 4:30 a.m. Sunday and 2:00 p.m. Monday. “

The forecast was for rain every day this week, so I guess this is not too surprising.  Just the same, I think I will let this warning be a concern sometime after sunrise.

Sunday, 7:15 a.m.

No rain yet.  Tomorrow is Katie’s birthday.  Katie is my youngest daughter.  To celebrate, Katie is taking a trip to the Hill Country of Texas on her birthday. So today, after attending a 9:30 a.m. service at church, I will drive to Azle to attend the 11:00 a.m. service at Katie’s church.   I will take some cupcakes to share after the service because even if she is now a part-time minister and is leading a portion of the service, your little girl is still your little girl…

Attending church in Azle has been a little chaotic recently.  First, there was the pandemic and on-line services.  Then for a brief period, they met outdoors in the courtyard.  At about the time that they were ready to ease restrictions and move back indoors, Texas was hit with a rare freeze that dropped temperatures to below freezing for almost a week and was highlighted by zero-degree lows.  The unexpected lows and the failure of the Texas power grid combined to freeze and burst water pipes in the main church building.   The resulting water damage extended the stay in the courtyard. 

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.

I am leaving my church service and the rain has started. I send Katie a text and ask about plans for the service in Azle. “We are opening the Heritage Chapel this morning to stay out of the weather, ’’ she says. The chapel is the original church building built in the 1890’s. It is arguably the oldest church building in Azle.

Sunday 10:45 a.m.

After a soggy drive to Azle, I arrive and head toward the chapel.  As I make my way across the parking lot, I am overwhelmed by the simple beauty of the original Azle Christian Church, plankboard siding, fifteen-pane windows, an open door to welcome all…

I’m headed toward the door humming ‘Amazing Grace’ and I am assuming that everyone that enters the building must be doing the same as this scene is postcard-type ‘grace.’

Inside is a reflection of days gone by. Beautiful oak floors, sixteen-foot ceilings, an attendance board listing the number of attendees at last weeks’ service, the number of visitors, and the number in Sunday School.  I haven’t seen a church tote board in thirty-five years. 

In the back corner stands a dusty walnut-colored pump organ.  How many wheezy renditions of ‘Amazing Grace’ must have been lovingly offered back in the day by an organist who didn’t need to visit a fitness class after Sunday services? 

Modern enhancements have added ceiling fans to the space, but a shelf near the door holds cardboard hand fans of the type being waved in the verdict scene of
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.

Sunday, 10:59 a.m.

The sun peeks out from behind the clouds and tiny rainbows reflect from the raindrops still perched on the leaves outside the windows of Heritage Chapel.

Sunday, 11:00 a.m.

Piano music fills the Heritage Chapel and soon Nicole is singing a beautiful opening hymn for the assembly.  Katie provides the children’s moment and Ashley offers a moving Eastertide message. The serenity of this place and the timeless beauty of the message flows over me.  I am reminded that I received a flood warning this morning and it occurs to me that the flood I am feeling is a flood of emotions.   For 127 years, generations of proud parents have been seated on these pews surrounded by simple, yet elegant architecture, beautiful music, and enjoyed the message that their daughters and sons have offered from this pulpit.  By my count, more than sixty-five hundred Sundays of amazing grace…

When we’ve been there ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’ve first begun!

Sunday, 11:50 a.m.

It’s time for cupcakes.  Happy Birthday, Katie.  I am proud of you!

Thanks for listening!

Your friend,

KBM
kevin@mysilentpew.com