"Imagine What We May Do,
With God's Help"

A Creative Reenactment of
Crestwood's First Communion Service

Warren P. Rogers
Elder and Charter Member
Crestwood Christian Church

Crestwood Elder and Charter Member Warren Rogers presided over the 50th Anniversary Communion Service at Glendover Elementary School on January 25, 2009.

He delivered a Meditation in which he imagined himself standing in the same gym in 1959, thinking about the ways Crestwood might serve the community, with God's help, in the years that followed. His words foretold some of the things the church has actually done in the years since.

The text of his Meditation follows.

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Welcome!

Grant me the privilege of going back in time. Go back there with me, 50 years, to this very spot on January 25th 1959, at this very moment where the first worship service of Crestwood Christian Church was conducted.

The service was conducted before a minister was even called. There was no sermon, just a simple meditation, with Elder Myron T. Hopper presiding. Likely, the room was set up much like you see here today. This cross may have been the very first asset of this congregation. Glendover Elementary School, itself only two years in existence, was built to serve the planned suburbs stretching out in what was then the far south end of Lexington.

Through the windows of this gymnasium, looking over the parking lot populated with Chevy Bellaires, Ford Fairlanes and a Corvair or two, church members could see the five acres of land deeded to them by Transylvania College where they would eventually build a sanctuary home.

Let’s take that journey back ...

So much good can happen in this place and in the church we will build. Think of the little children that will be baptized here, who will develop a relationship with God through Christ and will grow and be married here and have children of their own, who too will be baptized. Think how with God’s will, we will comfort people in times of stress or hardship or in the death of a loved one; think how the destinies of countless people will be changed because of our presence and our determination to serve this growing community of Lexington and the world beyond.

In this place we will respond to the changes in our society. We know now that the American promise of freedom and equal treatment escapes some in our midst. God will guide our minds and our hands, that we will work in favor of preserving the dignity of all people, no matter their race or social condition.

It would be difficult to imagine, but someday the housewives among us here, might desire, perhaps out of necessity, to enter the workforce. But what would happen to the children? I could see a role for this congregation one day to provide a warm, caring and nurturing place where children can develop, while both their parents are at work. What a radical idea. But how could we possibly provide the space, the meals, the instruction, it would just be too expensive? God will show the way.

This is hard for me to think about, but one day all of us 20 and 30 somethings will begin to age. I see this congregation has having a very active group of people looking after those of us in our elderly years. Ministries designed to keep our faith active in autumns of our lives will be central to our purpose. This will be a lot of work and it will continue forever, but I think with the help of God we will be up to the task.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this fledgling congregation could one day form a choir where we could be inspired by beautiful hymns sung during worship and have special programs during the holidays? Jim Havens and I were speaking about those possibilities earlier today. I think that may become a reality. Whenever we build our sanctuary across the road, a nice pipe organ would be great, but they are so expensive. Perhaps God will help us find a way to make beautiful music.

Houses are being built all around us here at a rapid rate. But sometimes I think about people in our community that struggle to find adequate housing. Could this congregation somehow participate in building affordable and safe housing for our Lexingtonians in need. Goodness, we haven’t even begun to raise the money for our new sanctuary building yet. But my bet is, with God’s direction, we will find a way to help our neighbors in need.

We all enjoy the freedoms and inalienable rights granted to us by God. But you know, there are some folks here in Lexington who have lost their way. There are people behind bars that seek redemption. They are God’s children too. It’s almost unthinkable, but what if they could somehow be ministered to by members of this congregation. Gee, that seems like a real stretch -- but with God, nothing is impossible. Who knows, maybe someday Crestwood members could actually go inside the jail and reach these people.

There is so much enthusiasm and energy in this place today. The opportunity to make a difference in this world is within our grasp. I pray that with God’s help we will take that step of faith, pick up the tools and begin to build His kingdom on this earth.

Amen.

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