Regularly we offer a Membership Class at the church. I love to talk about all the things that the church is doing and helping people take their next steps in growth. There are always questions about our church's beliefs and how they can volunteer and serve in the church. But, one of my favorite parts is to share the origin story.
We all have origin stories. Who were your parents? Where were you born? When did you meet your spouse? Our origin story starts with God and creation. But we also have origin stories with Jesus sending the Holy Spirit, John Wesley at Aldersgate with his heart strangely warmed. But the origin story of First Methodist Alvin started in 1881 with a guy named Peter E. Nicholson.
Peter Nicholson, a former rancher turned Methodist Circuit Rider, rode into town. The reason Peter came to town was that he knew that everyone needed the hope of Jesus. He carried with him in his saddlebags, the tools of his trade: songs of the faith, books on prayer, and sermons to those on the fringes of society.
While things were different back then, we might be surprised by how similar our struggles still are. They might have not had cars or electricity, but they all struggled with depression, needed help in their marriages, and longed to make a better life for their kids.
The beautiful part of the story was, that initially, they didn't have a place to meet, but they were soon worshipping in the town's railroad depot. They met in the hub of the city to let everyone know when they came in or out of the city, that Jesus could help them in life.
Now, almost 150 years later, First Methodist Alvin continues to exist to help people during the struggles of their lives. We might not still be meeting at the train depot, but we do aspire to let everyone know, in the coming and going of their life, that through songs, prayers, and messages, they can also experience the hope that Jesus continues to offer us today
We all have origin stories. Who were your parents? Where were you born? When did you meet your spouse? Our origin story starts with God and creation. But we also have origin stories with Jesus sending the Holy Spirit, John Wesley at Aldersgate with his heart strangely warmed. But the origin story of First Methodist Alvin started in 1881 with a guy named Peter E. Nicholson.
Peter Nicholson, a former rancher turned Methodist Circuit Rider, rode into town. The reason Peter came to town was that he knew that everyone needed the hope of Jesus. He carried with him in his saddlebags, the tools of his trade: songs of the faith, books on prayer, and sermons to those on the fringes of society.
While things were different back then, we might be surprised by how similar our struggles still are. They might have not had cars or electricity, but they all struggled with depression, needed help in their marriages, and longed to make a better life for their kids.
The beautiful part of the story was, that initially, they didn't have a place to meet, but they were soon worshipping in the town's railroad depot. They met in the hub of the city to let everyone know when they came in or out of the city, that Jesus could help them in life.
Now, almost 150 years later, First Methodist Alvin continues to exist to help people during the struggles of their lives. We might not still be meeting at the train depot, but we do aspire to let everyone know, in the coming and going of their life, that through songs, prayers, and messages, they can also experience the hope that Jesus continues to offer us today