As the church's Historian, I welcome you on behalf of all who currently minister or serve the Lord at West Congregational Church, Haverhill, Massachusetts.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the church's history, please let me know.
We invite you to share your comments and questions, whether you are part of this vibrant congregation or not.
We have a fascinating history--the good, bad, the ugly and the glorious.
If you have memories or information relative to the church, please share. Please remember that this is a public forum. Be wise in what you say and how you say it. Our hope is that this will be a forum where people can connect or re-connect with many who may have lost contact over the years.
We know that this parish has often struggled with its calling to be the body of Christ in this place. As Pastor Dale Brown so colorfully puts it: we are a bunch of messed up people - but God is fixing us, and we are really happy about it!
Or perhaps the church is like an army field hospital - pretty chaotic, lots of mess. But the cause is just and the victory certain in the end.
Welcome to the History of West Church and to the people who call this community their spiritual home.
If you would like a copy of the book, email me at jegust@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteSend a donation (cash or check) to Bradford Christian Academy. This money goes for scholarships for youth otherwise unable to afford the modest tuition fees. Mail to me at 25 Liberty Street, Haverhill, MA 01832 and I will get a copy to you.
Cost of the printing plus shipping is about $10.
One reader asked if the church "still believes that stuff" about the TULIP - an acronym that distills the Calvinist approach to theology. Question: how do you understand the TULIP? Most people do not really understand what it conveys.
ReplyDeleteLet's start with the "T." Total Depravity means that every human is messed up in several ways. We do not think honestly about our situation before God (we rationalize), nor do we love what God loves with all our hearts. If we did we would not be sinning and in need of the salvation that is found in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It does not mean that every person is corrupt as he or she could possibly be - thank God! But it does mean that there is no area of life free from the effects of sin.
I think people have known for thousands of years this is true. If you look at the Greek play Antigone, written by Sophocles, we see King Creon who is basically a good person. Then he seems to get infactuatued with his position and it's power. He wants to decide that Antigone should die, and traditional bural rights for her brother should be ingnored. He is sent a warning in the form of his son, who begs for Antigones life on the basis of the gods higher laws. Yet, he cannot move from his postion. This attitude brings forth his eventual downfall.
ReplyDeleteAgain in Shakespeare's King Lear,we see a similar story. Lear, basically a good man, gets infactuted with flattery. He has two daughters who disrespect him but will flatter him. He disowns his third daughter, who loves him, honors him, and is loyal to him, because she refuses to make a public spectacle of her love for him. This leads to his eventual downfall, and the downfall of most around him. At the end of this play there are only three characters still living.
I think these two plays prove that man has known for centuries he is flawed. Sadly, neither of these plays or the eras they came from show the audience how only Jesus has the answer to our "messed up" ways. With Jesus, He works all things for the good of those who love Him. He even uses our flaws to make us more like Him (who is without sin, flaws). If we just keep out eyes and our hearts on Him, we can rely on His word concerning this.
I'm not sure the real question is whether or now we know we are "messed up," flawed. The real question is, what are we going to do about it? It's too painful to sit still with it for any amount of time? Who will we lean on? That is hte improtant question.
From Brenda Buttrick Snyder
ReplyDelete"What a treasure!! I was thrilled to receive the history of West Parish book - my donation check is enclosed. I sat down the minute I received your package and skimmed the entire book. Impressed by the amount of work and thought - a wonderful addition to the annals of Haverhill history.
Drawn to Nancy Kerr's reminiscences, I found myself totally immersed in my childhood! What a rare treat to have all that written down for posterity. Of course several references to "Aunt Dot" throughout the book warmed my heart. For such a quiet woman, she clearly made an impact."
Craig Williams noted an omission. Under our list of student interns should be Royce Tanaka. He was ordained by West Congregational Church, too. His wife Terri also graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - a brilliant scholar. They served the church well and are now ministering in CA. I apologize for this oversight!
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