This Sunday I was returning to a congregation I had already visited, but as their “supply preacher.” Their pastor was away, and as many of our smaller, more widely dispersed congregations can attest, finding a supply preacher can occasionally be challenging.
Before I detail my time there, I just want to commend all who preached on the lectionary selection of Matthew 25:1–13. To me, it is a very difficult passage for a sermon. If you are curious why, take a moment and read it. Then maybe email me what you think it means!
Back to Blackstone! The church sits just outside of downtown, with two other very similar large, red-brick churches close by. Luckily, the signage is good, since trying to drive, look for signs, and discern which building looks more Presbyterian than the others is quite difficult!
Blackstone sits on a corner; I would suggest turning onto the side street and parking in their lot behind the church. You can enter the fellowship hall via stairs or a ramp. The fellowship hall is two stories tall—in the middle, that is—as the second-floor Sunday school rooms are visible, connected by an open U-shaped walkway. I have seen this layout before, but do not know the proper architectural name for it. Does anyone know what that might be?
Once inside, there is a long hallway with additional rooms along both sides, seating areas on the back wall, and the sanctuary on the right. Entering the sanctuary this way will have you pass by the raised choir loft, the pipe organ and finally the raised pulpit platform.
In front of you now will be the seating area of the sanctuary. It has three sections of pews, and many are curved toward the front. The two entrances from the front continue to the pulpit area, dividing the room into three spaces.
Blackstone has a two-story-plus stained-glass window facing the street, with entrances on either side of it. Despite the room being so voluminous, conversations are not swallowed up in the openness of the room.
Our worship was Presbyterian in format, with the lay leader and me sharing portions of the service. I liked that we had a time for the children to hear a message just for them. I gave them the green light to ask just about any questions they had to their pastor when they returned! Sorry, preacher!
It was wonderful to worship with them and to know they had granted time away for their pastor. In a brief conversation, I learned that one of their members actually came from a small town in central Florida that I had lived in many years ago. We actually could name streets and shops from either of our times there—what an amazing and wonderful connection I was a part of this morning!
So, OK, if you are wondering what Matthew 25:1–13 speaks of, it is one of Jesus’ parables that begins with “the kingdom of heaven is like.” In this case, heaven has something to do with waiting bridesmaids and flashlights or something. Feel free to ask your pastor to explain to you what Jesus is saying (and then, please tell me!)
Blessings,
Rev. Kerry Foster
