The beautiful sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles was built at the corner of Broad and Kirkman in the year 1928. It is a magnificent building, featuring beautiful stained glass windows and a wrap-around balcony.
The members of the church and our community must have been very proud when the doors to the sanctuary were opened for the first time for worship. But the next year something catastrophic happened in America, and all around the world. On October 29, 1929 the stock market crashed and the Great Depression changed life for everyone. The whole world was suddenly different.
But the people of the church came together and they found a way to make the payments to the bank to keep the church doors open in the middle of a Great Depression. They found a way. They were determined to make it. And because of their faithfulness, our church is here today.
Now here we are 91 years later facing our own challenges with a pandemic and the aftermath of two hurricanes. But as God was with the faithful members of 1928, God is also with us. Scripture reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
So together, let’s stand tall and look forward . . . and do what God is calling us to do. The prophet Isaiah said, “Here I am, Lord, send me. Use me.” May that be our own prayer today!