On September 21, 1898, a small group gathered underneath the poplar trees just beside a spring. Members of the community, 45 in total, came together to meet as a church for the very first time. In April of 1899, they completed the first church building and three years later, a baptismal pool. Since that time, our church building has obviously changed. We’ve built new buildings and changed the landscape of the property. We’ve changed on the inside of the church, too. Over the years, our congregation has also changed. On Sunday, Clyde asked people in attendance to stand based on how many years they had been a part of the church. I loved seeing the different lengths of time throughout the sanctuary. From less than 10 years, like me, to more than 90, like David Hamrick, each person has their own Poplar Springs story. It was so inspiring to see how many people have invested a lifetime into our church. It was also good to see that, in the last 10 years, God has continued to grow our church. He has continued to move in and through the people that choose to call Poplar Springs their church home.
For 125 years, this church has stood as a symbol of the Christian faith here in this community. I think that’s pretty special. Definitely something to be celebrated and certainly something that should increase our joy. We are now a part of that rich history, a history that God has chosen to continue in this place with us. This past Wednesday night, we began a study of the book of Philippians. In chapter 1, verses 3-6, Paul writes to the church, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
I’m thankful for our church and its partnership in the Gospel. I am confident that He who began a good work in this church will continue it on…
Hope to see you Wednesday night!
Grace and peace,
Aaron