Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408080009
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Frances Stebbins
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Long
Harrison told the four youngsters present at the 11 a.m. service that the tools had been used the week before in putting a new roof on the home of a needy person in Marion. It was part of Project Crossroads, a Holston Conference program in which adult and youth church members volunteer a week each summer to a mission program.
As missionary work in many mainstream American churches increasingly shifts from winning converts abroad to helping the needy nearer to home, such projects enliven the slack summer season, many church leaders have discovered.
With the Rev. Norman Wilhoit, the senior pastor, vacationing, Harrison, 32 and starting his third year on the staff of the downtown church, was in charge for the day. The church, second in membership numbers in Pulaski - behind the Pentecostal Bob White Church of God - has two Sunday morning services at 9 and 11. At the later service, which the Sojourner attended, the congregation of about 100 was affected by the usual summer hiatus; more came earlier when children and youth are active participants, Harrison said.
At First United Methodist the congregation concentrates on community activity. A lot is happening, even in midsummer, Harrison said. A free bread distribution, - in addition to the parish's involvement in the ecumenical Daily Bread free meal program carried on across the street at the Prebyterian church - a blood donation drive, an August music camp for children as well as vacation Bible school and the work project in Marion provide people with many opportunities to volunteer. In fact, the bulletin carries the slogan ``The Servant Church.''
Children of the congregation and the choir have collected more than $100 by donating small change to a fund that will provide better cookware for Holston Home for youngsters in Greenville, Tenn.
In addition, Harrison is president of the local ministerial association and is involved in several projects in which church members work together to improve life in the town.
Despite all this activity by church members, Harrison is troubled that so many people, particularly those his own age, give little priority to attendance on Sunday mornings. In his 25-minute sermon, delivered in a black robe with the green stole for the Trinity liturgical season, the Duke Divinity School graduate took everyone to task for this.
Harrison spoke of the ancient Israelites entering the promised land. They had been inspired by Moses, who, in turn, had spoken with God, the Yahweh of those times, he said.
In times of tribulation people had relied on God - though with some rebellion - but now they were about to enter ``the land of milk and honey,'' a symbol for some degree of ease, Harrison said.
They were not unlike Americans today, who enjoy plenty of food and water, medical care and a hospitable land. The terrible plight of Rwandan refugees with none of these things should cause everyone to thank God continually, he said.
Informal in his conduct of the service, Harrison allowed members of the congregation to offer the names of those for prayer and to make a few announcements. -- he preached with intensity.
``It grieves me that so many parents encourage their kids to go to entertainments but do very little to show them how to serve others, ... which is at the heart of the Christian faith.''
Nor is it just individuals who fall short in giving God the credit and relying on him for guidance, Harrison said. The whole nation is falling short because of misplaced pride and concern with self-fulfillment. Such lack of interest in things spiritual eventually will cause America to fall from power as quickly as it rose, the associate pastor said.
To help the congregation grasp his message, Harrison asked worshipers to recall a time in their own lives when they felt out of control of personal events and to look about at others who also might be experiencing problems. Such times are appropriate to call upon God or to steer loved ones to him, he said.
First Church boasts an adult choir of about 20 singers, directed for many years by Bettye Steger with Suzanne Steele at the pipe organ. The choir last Sunday sang several responses to prayers and presented a contemporary anthem, `` On Eagle's Wings.'' Harrison said the United Methodist singers annually cap their music with a Singing Christmas Tree program .
Three years ago the congregation expanded its building significantly with the addition of a Family Life Center. It contains a small gymnasium, pastoral offices, classrooms and a fellowship hall, as well as an elevator to make the structure accessible to those in wheelchairs. A ramp has been in place for a number of years to get those with disabilities to the elevated first floor of the church building.
During the winter the church operates a preschool. Its youth group of about 30 active members has just finished turning the old fellowship hall into a lounge.
Parish programming also includes a single's group and one for mothers of small children, to have a morning respite from child care.
Church planners are studying the need for a program director to coordinate these many activities. Such specialized ministers, often lay people, help keep running the events that appeal to the younger adults most churches today are seeking.
Sojourner appears monthly in The New River Current. Its purpose is not to promote a particular point of view but to inform readers of a variety of worship styles.
by CNB