Church Memories

We all have memories of Sunday School and church from our youth. These are the happy times that bring you back to church. Many of us go to church every time the door opens when we are young. Sunday School, church services, choir practice, youth fellowship are a few of the reasons that we frequent the church as we are growing up. Then comes that time when we leave home to attend college or begin a career and we seldom darken the door of a church. As life would have it, we marry and children come along; we feel compelled to give them proper exposure to the church. If our experiences at church have been positive and long lasting, we will seek that same experience for our kids. Often it may not be forthcoming but we seem to get around to it, God is very patient.
Take time to recapture those early experiences of Sunday School and church. A great memory was the felt storyboard in the Primary Department at Sunday School. The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors was especially poignant in that it afforded the opportunity to dress Joseph in his coat. The narrative of the story layered the storyboard with Joseph's brothers, some sheep, a palm tree or two, Joseph and finally his coat. Songs were sung about Zacchaeus, a wee little man who climbed a tree to see Jesus and a climb up Sunshine Mountain faces all aglow topped off the class.
Dad was an elder in the church and responsible for preparation of the sacraments for the Lord's Supper. We went into the church kitchen early on Sunday morning to prepare. The tiny glasses (real glass) had to be checked for chips and cleaned. The loaves of white bread had to have the crusts cut off and sliced into individual cubes and placed on the silver plates. The grape juice was squeezed from a plastic bottle with a long tip into the tiny glasses and placed in the silver racks. A chalice was also prepared and a small loaf of bread placed on an individual silver plate. When all was ready it was transported to the sanctuary. The altar table was covered with a white linen tablecloth and the silver plates and racks were also covered with a tablecloth. Taking communion now has a double remembrance.
Children's church was convened in the basement gym of the church. Traumatic memories of a candlelight procession emerge; the procession required lit candles held in a foil protector. The flame of the candle was mesmerizing and hairspray was quite flammable. Lit candles and combustible hairspray were not a safe combination and as the procession made it way up the aisle, a candle got too close to a little girl's hair and it flamed up momentarily; a nearby teacher smothered the flaming hair. There's just something about the odor of burning hair...
Family night suppers were always a fun fellowship especially with all the great covered dishes. If memory serves there were certain dishes that appeared at each supper that were tried and true gourmet delights for a 10 year old. There was a special meatloaf, some very tasty baked beans, potato salad and a great chocolate cake. The entertainment for the suppers were varied but Ed the Magician was a favorite that drew large numbers of young participants.
Sunday night youth fellowship usually included a rousing romp of Capture the Flag in the city park across the street. The skittles game and ping pong were always fun. The tasty fare of Sloppy Joes, chili or hot dogs was always welcome. At Christmas, the youth made bus trips to sing Christmas caroles in local rest homes. the trip was usually accompanied by raucous laughter en route from one facility to another. Shouts of "We are the Presbyterian kids, that's our name too; Whenever we go out, the people always shout,'There go the Presbyterian kids!'" could be heard.
Friday afternoon choir practice was necessary for the children's choir. It was fun and seldom very difficult. The choir's accompanist had a special way of applying lipstick above her lip that formed lasting memories.
Sunday mornings were chaotic at times. Often the latecomers were relegated to the balcony. This was not always the best alternative as it was not carpeted and the click-clack of little patent leather shoes was disruptive. In the event you happened to be seated near the front of the sanctuary there were hand receivers for the hearing-impaired that provided a diversion for youngsters.
The stained glass windows and the huge murals of Jesus the Shepard and Jesus at the Well were a lovely focal point while little minds wandered. Watching choir members mouth instructions to their children was also entertaining.
All these memories made a wonderful reminder of the church and God. Along with the faint odor of Murphy's Oil Soap these became indelible mental images of the good times spent in the presence of God. Have a grateful heart for precious memories. Love God. Love one another.