ChrisT-religion: THE BRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOING FORWARD-GROWING STRONGER

I was raised Catholic while I was growing up in New York. The Presbyterian Religion always fascinated me. I wondered what the differences were between the two religions.My research began with The Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. This Neighborhood Landmark Church originally was across the street on Lockwood Avenue, Yonkers, New York. They moved the church 50 years ago in 1957 to Buckingham Road. The Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church was built in the year of 1911. The present day leader of this church is Dr. Rev, Thomas A. Hughart. The Parish Associate is Rev. Win Peacock. The Organist/Choir Director is Mrs. Judith Skoog. The emphasis of this church is “Going forward-Getting Stronger”. Pastor Tom’s attire was a black rope with green trim. His left arm had three red stripes. The interior of the church is beautiful. The stained glass windows are multicolored Art Deco glass with the image of “Jesus Christ” facing the congregation. Beautiful red velvet cushions were on the oak benches. There were a small gathering of people of different races and cultures, all sharing the same Presbyterian belief. The ceremony began with organ music that began the worship at the Presbyterian Church on October 21, 2007 Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The books of Presbyterian religion are the Presbyterian Hymnal and the Bible. These books were used for the celebration of the “Scriptures” as interpreted by the Presbyterian religion. The choir lady brought a dog into the church and sang in the choir. This religion does not require the congregation to kneel in church like in the Catholic Church. “The Lord’s Prayer” was somewhat different from the Catholic version of “Lords Prayer”. Communion is served every other week, unless if it is Lent. The title of the sermon was “Finding God In The Gaps”. There was also an event after service; “Blessing The Animals”. The congregants could bring their pets to be blessed by Pastor Thomas Hughart. There was prayer for the dead, and sick people. The minister spoke of the “Gift of Gratitude”, “God with your spirit bless this offering for peace and justice in your world”. Many beautiful Presbyterian Hymns were sung in Church. “For the Beauty of the Earth”, Let Us with a Gladsome Mind”, and “Christ of the Upward Way” were the melodies of the choir. The morning offering had two ladies come with an offering plate to collect donations. The donations were collected in a circular pan that was gold in color. Scriptures as interpreted by the Presbyterian Religion are strictly held by the faithful as to what you are taught, and what you believe. Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word, all of which is useful for teaching, and helping people, and correcting them, by showing them how to live. Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds. Preach God’s message do it willingly, even if is not the popular thing to do, we must correct people and point out their sins”. Also cheer them up, and when you instruct them always be patient. “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3.16 Presbyterian Hymnal).

THE TITLE OF THE SERMON: “FINDING GOD IN THE CAPS”
“Time of the children”

Rev Thomas Hughart was addressing the “Time of the children”. “He was speaking of people who are under 40 years old, and he considered them still as children” (Hughart). He also considered those who are over forty years old; still have a child living in all of them”(Hughart). Rev Hughart said “that this morning he needs the help of “Bruce Cockburn”, to help him with “Time Of The Children”. (Hughart). “We all need to be educated, that is, that is what you came for”(Hughart). He is also encouraging the audience to listen to this song. Written by “Bruce Cockburn” he is a Christian Rock Star, and recorded a number of different albums. One of his songs is called “Message of the main Sermon”. He will sing the song in contemporary terms. The title of the Song is: “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” and the verse is really like a text for the sermon. The verse is “Keep kicking until the Sunlight bleeds in” and “Keep kicking at the Darkness until the sunlight bleeds in” The Rev Thomas Hugart played the CD in church. All observers were in disbelief, including myself, that Rock Contemporary music was being played in a Presbyterian church. Thomas Hughart “said, “ou all must felt like you were in a wrong church”, “and, “you all must have felt you were in the wrong building”! (Hughart). “But you are in the right place”! (Hughart). Emphasis of the song was, “Keep at the darkness until the sunshine bleeds through”. I got the message; it was a beautiful song being sung by the Rock Star. It was very moving, and totally unexpected. It would inspire a lot of young churchgoers to come to the Presbyterian Church in Yonkers, New York. The meaning of this song was meant to encourage all of us to work through the trials and errors we make in our lifetime. Our God in our church will help us get through these difficult times. The Presbyterian Church is truly “Going Forward”, and “Growing Stronger”.

Bruce Cockburn

“PERSISTENT WIDOW” (From The Bible)

The Persistent Widow is about, praying and never quitting. They talk about a corrupt judge who had no religious faith. There was a widow, whose need for justice. She kept her battle going on with the corrupt judge. Eventually the judge would be influenced by her strength, faith, and wisdom. This story was used to strengthen the audience who were attending the service on Sunday October 21, 2007. This story was retold by Rev Thomas Hughart to help the congregation with problems in their own personal life.

THE MEANING OF PERSISTENCE

2007, happens to be 200th anniversary of the abolition of slave trading in the British Empire. The man responsible for this was William Golderforth a young man member of the Parliament, in Great Britain. He cared less about social issues and justice. Robert Parsons was a friend of his, and influenced him, to devote his life the abolition of Slave trade. For the next twenty years of his life, Golderforth was lobbying and talking to people in the British Parliament. Eventually, he got enough support from the British government to end their enrollment in Slave trading. William Golderforth was an example of “PERSISTENCE”. For him god is the one who comes to us when we feel that God is in the absence, of our lives. Calling in god to fill up the gaps. God in the gap. He will come down and intervene and reinforce us. Prayer is more than just intellectual exercise, and exhibition of faith. It is the total commitment by you. Jesus said, prayer should be in your heart, and mind. God is filling in the gaps. “We can all bring greater justice to the world”. “There is a complexity of the moral issues of world, only the Bible can help us understand and figure out what to do” (Hughart).

Evolution is an Example Used By Pastor Tom

God caused the process of evolution, and encourages us to move forward. Rev. Hughart said, “that there is scientific evidence that the universe was created, by a variety of animals, and plants, and that God is in the Gap” (Hughart).

Point of View By Rev. Thomas A. Hughart

Congress’s recommendation that Turkey be condemned, for the genocide of one million and half Armenians. The Leader of the Church called this a dilemma. Against genocide if we condemn Turkey, then we loose their support in the fight against Iraq, which is a threat to Israel. “This is the kind of complex world we live in”(Hughart). Rev. Hughart job is to sort out such dilemmas. He will help you to raise your awareness for some of these issues. Pastor Tom is against the war in the genocide in Turkey. However we have to handle Turkey carefully, because she gives us military support.

BLESSING THE ANIMALS

There was a service “Blessing The Animals” from 11:30am to 11:45 am on October 21, 2007 Sunday. People in the neighborhood and members of the Congregation owned the majority of the dogs that were blessed outside of the Presbyterian Church. Pastor Tom blessed these beautiful animals, with their beloved masters. The breed of the pets included poodles, beagles, and various dogs. God loves all creatures great and small.