The Sanctuary of Lowndesboro Methodist Church

None of the churches here in Lowndesboro is big enough to support a full-time clergy person so on this, the first Sunday of the month, the community gathered to worship together at the Methodist Church.  Necessity sometimes opens spaces for grace and goodness that would otherwise not be available to us.  There is much that is broken and ugly in so many places I look these days that I find myself often looking for a place under the shadow of God’s wings–not to hide but to be strengthened.  Plus, it is simply the neighborly thing to do to share Sunday worship with my community.  I intend to go to all 5 of the local churches in the next few weeks.

I had never been to a Methodist worship service before.  The simplicity of our time together was just what I needed.  And one of the hymns we sang, spoke straight to my spirit, so I sat there almost in tears, allowing the music, like the livings waters, to refresh me and wash me clean.

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.