James 1:16-21
A Christian died and went to heaven where Peter met him to show him around. Heaven was filled with beauty, the Father’s light and presence everywhere. Then they went around a corner and there stood a group of people in chains. “What is this?” asked the man, surprised by such a sight. Peter replied, “They are from Salem, NJ, and every Sunday morning they want to bust out of heaven and go home to First Presbyterian Church!”
Of course, we know we aren’t exactly heaven, but today’s scripture reminds us that every good gift comes down from the Father of the heavenly lights who chose to give us the word of truth, and life in Jesus Christ our Light and Perfect Gift – and that is heavenly!
An ancient church teacher, commenting on this scripture, said that God gives light generously, and in its power to unify, it stirs us by lifting us up. It gives us a boost.
C. S. Lewis told the story of an artist who was thrown into a dungeon whose only light came from a barred window high above. While there, she gave birth to a son. As he grew, she told him about the outside world full of flowing fields of grain and mountain streams and cresting emerald waves crashing on golden shores – all created by God, just as she wanted him to know he was a gift from the Father, too.
But the boy couldn’t understand her words. So, with the drawing pad and pencils she had brought into the dungeon, she drew him pictures. At first, she thought this helped, but then she realized it did not. He thought the outside world was made up of charcoal gray lines on faded white backgrounds. Thus, he concluded the outside world was colorless and dim – less desirable than inside the dungeon.
The only way for the boy to understand was if his mother could give him a boost high enough to look out the window into the light.
On July 22nd, 1872, a Session note recorded that the church was to open the shutters over the windows in the evening so “that our light may shine out” – out onto the highway and byway, out into the community the church served in the name of Jesus Christ.
This became a motto of sorts, and in it is the recognition that the unchanging God who created the sun, moon and stars is also created the church to be a beautiful beacon of Christ’s light.
James tells us not to be deceived by the dim and colorless portrayals of God’s goodness and truth. He recognized how arduous a task it can be to be the church God desires. When our first church was built, records tell us that it was regarded by many as a rash and hopeless undertaking. Undaunted, that first small group of worshipers were stirred by God’s word that saves. It united them and empowered them to let their light shine out as a fruitful fellowship.
In 1837, the Session discussed how to stir up the members to the cause of Christ. They would have agreed with that ancient teacher: God gives light generously, and its power can stir us. All we need is a boost up to look out the window and see the truth of what God has given and what God wants.
For 2 centuries now, the word has been proclaimed and taught, men’s and women’s groups have worked to provide for and aid the needy; fellowship groups met for prayer and study; money was given to help churches and missions locally and around the world. This church has given many a boost, and still does.
An anniversary year is a good time to rededicate ourselves to giving a boost up to the window of truth where all may see for themselves every good and perfect gift from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights “in whom there is no variableness nor turning of shadow” as it says in the KJV. That phrase may call to mind the first verse of our next hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
First introduced by the Billy Graham Crusade, this hymn, written by a pastor who once lived in Vineland, NJ, is described as “a beacon of light”, inspiring people to faith. That language is used in our history to describe this church, especially when the steeple is set alight at night as a “welcome beacon for all who approach Salem” to “draw and inspire the people of the community”.
For 200 years Presbyterians have persevered in this city as a distinct contribution to the witness of every good and perfect gift from God. And here we are now, chosen by God to write the history of God’s great faithfulness for the years to come. This is our time to carry the motto forward, for as Jesus said, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5.16). So, let us open the shutters that our light may shine out!