"LET THE CHURCH BE · T!ill CHURCH"

Some facts and figures. Haises quest­ion as to what the church has to offer to a critical age. Has she anything unique to offer a confused and distraught world? Is she different? Has she a unique mission to fulfil? Or are we merely perpetuating a futility? What has she to offer to humanity and to the world today? Has she a reason for being; or are we "dipping buckets into empty wells and growing old in drawing noth­ing up" as Cowper . said?

Individual churches through years are associated in minds with certain claims and ideas. Have dubious claims to greatness. Church of Transfiguration known around the world for mere fact it marries people. Very dubious claim to greatness there. Another church claims on ealendar it was first to be established on Manhattan. Another des­cribed as ttSockman.' s Church " . Another is known for its social program. Another for its endowments. Another boasts because it has the so-called best people in town - the minister is the apostle to the genteel.

In days like these we need to ask what the function of the church is - to find and give the unique rea~on for her existence. About five years ago a book came off the press - "Let the Church Be the Church". Must confess I did not read the book. But title is provocative and I use that. First of all I suggest:

Le t t he Church be t he Church In t he Message She Procldims

And what is that message? Fundamental message has to do with character of God to whom we owe our origin and destiny. Has to do with nature of God - His _fatherly love

Those early Christians were poor in many a thing by which the world set great store - but in fellowship they were fab- 1 ulously rich. In an empire that the political genius of the Romans had made a marvel of organization, they bad none.

At a time when religion was measured by splendor of temples they had none. In an age that gave the palm to wealth and learning, they had next to none.

Celsus sneered that so many or them were "cobbler~, fullers and wool workers -the most illiterate and vulgar or mankind. Paul himself said of them, "not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble".

They drew from pagan world no second glance save of pity and derision. But they had a secret joy - they had a won­derful thing called "fellowship". They were a union of hearts in union with Christ.

In the Christian church aliens and the disenfranchised found fellowship with those who inherited religious promises and social privilege. Roman and Greek stooped to love the hateful Jew; and t:OO Jew was willing to transfer the sacred name of Israel to Gentiles whose past was unclean. ·

Adam Burnett in "Pleading With Men".

crisis. King had died. Empty throne. In the temple first of all he saw God - high and lifted up. Then came consciousness of own sin and uncleaness. Then flew one of seraphim with live ooal from altar. Isaiah cleansed and sins forgiven.

It is he~B one hears message of a for­giving God. Good news of pardon and love. "God forgives; God loves". Where else can that message be heard. Not in nature! We all need it! In communion hymn we sing -"Here would I lay aside each ear t hly load; Here t as t e afresh t he calm of sin forgiv~n"

That's it! That's v.hat the church offers.

Has the church something unique to offer to a divided and distraught world? -She has if she is true to her mission and original purpose. If the church remains the church then she bas something to give to this world that no other organization can give -that no other religion can give. In a word, she has Christ.

Christ who was more than a tired and disappointed man who died on a Roman cross. A Christ who was the Son of God as well as the Carpenter of Nazareth. A Christ who not only held plows and yokes oten exen in hand at Nazareth, but who now holds the seven stars in His right hand and liveth forever.

And it is a part of our stewardship to make this church irresistible in her minis­try to souls that are weary. That this pant of the church universal might continue to proclaim the Good ~ews of God's love; might speak of that world-wide fellowship; and might provide through its worship, healing for troubled souls and strength to power­less wills. In a word, that this church might mediate Uhrist the Living Bread to hungry hearts. God grant it.

- 3 · -because problem of fellowship not solved. Slaves and freedmen, rich and poor, living side by side but not together. Christians solved the problem - there arose a community life in which they were all one in Christ. Their unifying bond was allegiance to Christ.

Let the church be the church in the fellowship she offers to a divided society and world. And our world is divided. Here we kneel as children of the Father - here all distinctions of race and clan vanish. In

.a world that is failing in its communion al­though it has developed its communications, the church bas a message of reconciliation and a fellowship to offer - understanding and love and goodwill.

Our American society is divided. Church has the message of reconciliation and fellow­ship. Church sits in judgement upon all systems and philosophies. Wi~l be no peace until men catch spirit of Christ and apply it in economic relationships.

Divided in personal relationships. And only religion can hold people together. Di­vorce rate one in three. One of most stabil­izing factors in marriage is an active church relationship - the fellowship does something.

At the communion table - "Ye t hdt are in love and chari t y wi t h your neighbor ••• "

Let t he Church be t he Church J~ ghr-~ in t he Worship She Provides ~"74/c-' 4.- /t;t.Jl..L

Church stands for soul's sense of God. Through worship we are lifted above meanness and sordidness. Here we find new perspective uew peace and power. "I must have God" says Studdert Kennedy. Dr. Joad the agnostic has

· poked a lot of fun at church people. Recent experience and bears his testimony:

Cleansing and forgiveness a part of wor­ship. Isaiah went to temple. Nation in a

-A~~ Jeu-r ~ ~tM-~ . ,;,a?A-1 . f#'/~,f/~~-/~e:t b tW~~~

~4-v~ ' fe ee-v '1 .fr~e~/et/w . J1.;;, 3 1 ?-I ~ C! . '7 ./a o1;-a-,_~ .

' -/ rlf'.t.../ f fe.} . -t...<!JL...fH;I'ot:..t}

~~~s; S~t:J 6'1 7r~~,

.Jio,~ rill /k.~A./A7 · )f~e4 .

~ ~~~~ ;~ t A... e. A-bo s . -;}" 1 ;:,7ab J'f. ~-t A-Itt e.- r ~7 ~ t.- 1 "J . '1 4eA) y t7) ,t ct t7; ~ar_ ~~~~(!J ~ ?Y~ ~~ )t . r.

1., i . ./. ~~ L- a., f.-/ )?1

r ()(!J / oc o

C~/"'- a.(.._. 4..e..~.6~ ,~· S;;, . $';: At:~A..A,_, C!-:t~ c£,e,; . ~ ;2s_, ()Od / Oo o

'/e~ Pfot:~/ oc. ..

-:964ed-a.- ,1;-- tl :J / 0 D ()I" () 0 0

!}(;~(? r~~ /4e.- ~ A_ e_ /4th(.~ i-~ Akt.-~ ii"'At'J 3731 3c,.,.; /vfcre~~ '1

~II; ;;t:'fj rflo.S

- 2 -and concern for all men. Known as "Good News tt - the gospel. Emphasis on "Father". Jesus had the word continually on His lips. "Wist ye not ••• " "When ye pray ••• " "If ye being evil •• " "Father into thy bands".

Part of primary business of church is to present the "Good News" that God loves us; that God is able to save to uttermost the last, the least and the lost. To give a theological undergirding to life. Words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur still being quoted: "We have had our last chance. The problem basically is t heological and involves a spi­rit ual recrudescence".

Cant t go into all detail o~ that vital message - can only say that the church has a unique message that she alone can proclaim to a needy world. Our problems are funda­mentally spiritual and theological problems. Can't live without God - and church has · a message regarding Him - a message that juts out with all starkness of mountain peak. Let the church be the church in the message she proclaims - the message of a Father God - a God who loves and who redeems.

Let t he Church be t he Church in t he Fellowship She Offers

How those first century Christians were in need of fellowship. At any moment might be dragged to death. But in that fellowship they found sense of belonging - and strength to face all demands of life and death. Was a fellowship that knew no boundaries and rec­ognised no essential difference between Jew and Gentile, Greek or barbarian, rich or poor, bond or free. All children of God in the fellowship. All within saving grace of Jesus Christ whose kingdom was universal.

Rome faced by problem of living togeth­er. Greatest empire ever known collapsing

Dr. Joad, distinguished agnostic visits country church. Pokes fun; sneers at singing and preaching; then makes a most remarkable statement:

"A surprise was in store for me. After each visit to church I found myself, to my astonishment, in high spirits. In fact, I was in a high state of exhillar­ation".

Continues to say that he went to church suffering from overwork and nervous and mental exhaustion, but after worship he felt fresh and capable o~ any effort, mental , spiritual and intellectual. He went to church with nerves on edge and return.ed calmed in spirit.

Said the prophet o~ old; "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength".

The Tragedy .of Wilful Blindness "THERE WAS A CERTAIN RICH MAN"

THERE are two kinds of blindness, that of those who cannot

see and that of those who will not. Of course the rich man

saw Lazarus at his gate, and many another beggar; but their

plight never really reached him. He was too much concerned

with himself, with his fine clothes and his rich foods.

The world is full of wilful blindness. The heavens declare

the glory of God. He speaks to us through conscience. He

shines in the beauty of earth, in the heart of a child, in the

faith and love and loyalty shown by many a humble life. But

men will not see.

Men shut their eyes to need. What tragic tales of starving

peoples have filled our journals! Yet this past year America

spent more on its table than ever before in its history.

The cause of this blindness is selfishness. Often it is

thoughtless; but that too is evil, to be so concerned with our­

selves that we have no thought for others.

The rich man's eyes were opened at last. He saw Lazarus

and called to him-he probably had never spoken to him be­

fore. He saw his own folly and wanted some one sent to warn

his folks. Alas! you cannot make people see who will not. But

it is not too late for us. + The Rich Man and. Lazarus + No. 9 March 2

FREMONT STREET METHODIST CHURCH Gloversville, New York Fred Clarke, Minister

Marjorie Gensemer Minister of Music

Grace ·L. Gifford Church Secretary

Lewis Cunning, Sexton

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT - ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP

ORGAN PRELUDE - "Beloved Jesu, how hast Thou gressed"

INTROIT -"Our Father, Thou in heav•n a'bove" INVOCATION - By the minister HYMN 1 - "Holy, holy, holy" S URS UM CORDA :

Minister: People:

Minister:

The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Lift up your hearts.

trans­Karg-Elert

Bach

Nicaea

People: Minister:

People:

We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks unto the Lord. It is meet and right so to do.

DOXOLOGY - To be sung by all

* RESPONSIVE READING- 9th Sunday ::Page 572 GLORIA PATRI :: APOSTLES 1 CREED

* SCRIPTURE LESSON - Isaiah 6:1-8 ANTHEM - "Alleluia, L®rd God" Palestrina

The Fremont Choir PASTORAL PRAYER :: LORD'S PRAYER OFFERTORY - "I walked today where Jesus walked" O'Hara

The Fremont and Youth Choirs HYMN 182 - "O Spirit of the Living God" St. LeiDnard

SERMON - "LET THE CHURCH BE THE CHURCH"

HYMN 386 - "O Word of God Incarnate" Munich BENEDICTION :: CHORAL AMEN ORGAN POSTLUDE - "Prelude and Fugue in F Major" Bach * Interval for Ushering

10:30

11:00 11:55

6:00

7:30

MARCH 2, 1947 - CALENDAR FOR T0DAY

Morning Worship; Second Sunday in Lent. Youth and Fremont Choirs. Church-time Nursery. Primary and Junior Church. Church School; classes for all age grGups. The adult, young adult and senior high departments begin series of studies ~m "Stewardship". Youth Fellowship. Discussion on "Your Town and its Social Classes". High school youth invited. Union Evening Service at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Fred Clarke will preach on the subject "Judas". Everyone cordially invited.

Altar flowers are given by Mrs. Earl Smith in memory of her mother, Mrs. Justus Perry.

THROUGH THE WEEK AT FREMONT

MON. 10:30 Fulton Co. Ministerial Fellowship meets. 7:36 Boy Scouts meet in the church.

WED. ~ Weekday School for grades 4, 5 and 6. 7:45 THIRD UNION LENTEN SERVICE at Firat Method­~Church with Bishop Fred Pierce Corson of Phil­adelphia preaching. The w.s.c.s. will attend in a body. This will be an inspiring service.

THURS. 3:45 Minister's Membership Class. 6:30 Winning Six Class will meet at the home ef ~ Maurice Cole, 101 South Judsop Street.

FRI. 11:00 and 1:00 Weekday School; grades 7 to 9~

THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC Fremont Choir - Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Chapel Choir -Friday, 3:30p.m. Carol Choir - Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

FREMONT FAMILY VISITATION -MARCH 10, 17, 24.

Lent is the time for the deepening of the spiritual life. Your church present5 you the opportunity for such spirit­ual cultivation - through worship an~ fellowship.