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| The forgotten church... |
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There is a group of forgotten believers, a rather sizable group. As we members of mobile society travel near and far to gather with our fellow worshipers every Sunday (Saturday, etc.), they sit in their “homes”, watching tv, sleeping, or otherwise idling around. Some of them yearn for their former church. Others yearn for any church. But many have given up altogether on the church that has apparently given up on them.
The forgotten church resides in assisted living centers, nursing homes, or sometimes even their own homes. They’ve lost the ability to drive themselves anywhere, and therefore have lost the ability to assemble and worship, as they loved doing for years and years. Indeed, worshiping God was once the most important thing in the world to many of them. Imagine how hard it is for them not to feel betrayed, when the church they poured their heart into for so many years does nothing to keep them in the fold through their final years of life.
For the last 5 five years, my children and I have worshiped with the “forgotten church”. Every Sunday after “regular church,” we make our way to Sunrise Assisted Living Center. Since these folks can’t go out to church, we take the church to them. Services are about an hour in length, and consist of traditional liturgies, scripture and responsive readings, hymns, and a message, with Holy Communion once a month. I have had the absolute privilege and honor of leading these worship services since last December. I’ve rarely seen such sincere gratitude as that which these special churchgoers express!
Most of our congregants have Alzheimers. And they are such doggone nice people! Full of grace, prone to bouts of unrestrained enthusiasm, sometimes even downright playful. And they can say the darndest things! But they do love their memories. They LOVE sharing them!
It can be a hard ministry too. We’ve lost quite a few of our favorite people over the last few years. I’ll never forget Mr. Jim, who always promised to be at church next week, “Lord willing or the crick don’t rise.” Or Miss Evelyn, who always asked, “Where’s my boy?” when my son didn’t come. Or Miss Meg, fiercely proud of her Scottish and Presbyterian heritage, always dancing to church in her green plaids. Or silly Miss Kathy, who could always be counted on to decorate the sermon with her own odd but humorous interjections, like “OOOH!” or “b-b-b-b-b-b-b-buh”.
There are many more dear people in the forgotten church, too. It is my prayer that a few who read this will be touched, and resolve to reconnect with this group of believers. They are almost never far away, and I’m sure they won’t make it hard to welcome them back in!
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| To add a comment to "The forgotten church..." |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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:) We grew up with Mom teaching a class for mentally disabled adults on Sundays, and later going to various nursing homes and playing her keyboard and singing old hymns and playing some boogie woogie! LOL! Very FUN ministry for sure! |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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I too feel honored to go with my husband three times a month to different nursing homes to fellowship with other believers and share communion with them. Sometimes, it's the only service they have unless another church comes in. I feel so blessed that even though I can't carry a tune in a bucket, I am asked to lead the singing. Reminds me of the man who asked God to give him a beautiful singing voice so he could wow the people in praise and worship. God said no he wouldn't give him a beautiful voice, but he would give him an audiancethat couldn't tell the difference. Thats my audiance and I am proud. Whoopie!!!!!!!!!! |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Praise God for your efforts for the forgotten church Mike. I know this church welll as I have one living at my mom's home and another at my niece's residence. Praise God for folks like you who do not forget. I'm so proud of you and your family. I'm sure God is smiling on you too! |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Thank you for this Mike, as I fall into this catagory much of the time. But God never leaves me, never forsakes me. He may allow pressures to build upon me, but I know it's making me more like Him.
LoveLeigh |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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I got my start preaching in Nursing Homes believe it or not. They were so appreciative and they touched me spiritually! We used to bring a pianianst and we would gather round and sing the old hymns and we had the best time! What a blessing! Your truth is so powerful! They are fogotten and it is a shame! Which reminds me there is a shut in I need to stop by and see and encourage. Thanks Mike! |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Thank you Mike for this. Am glad to say that in my sister-in-laws case there is a fatihful praise team who come in each week and there is also provision for
any residents of the Catholic Faith. They get taken to the local church twice a month and Ministers come to visit also. But I know that that is not always the case. |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Great Post Mike, so true. I moonlight at Farmington Heights, here in Wilson, which is not my home church,... but our bible study group there, meets at a retirement center and we share with wonderful people as you describe. What a joy. Thanks friend. |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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The Kingdom Poets Ministry began at the Forgotten Church.....Our poetry team would go and sing...do poetry...pray...and share the Word of God with the seniors. We were honored to get special recognition in the Baltimore Afro American Newspaper for giving prayer and support to our seniors...It is an awesome ministry...and our seniors are just waiting for somebody to take the time to minister to them. A clip of the newspaper article is posted on my website, on the Kingdom Poets Announcement Page.....Great ministry indeed ;o) |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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My husband has worked at a cutting edge [large] retirement community for many, many years and I'm pleased to say that even those who might be among "the forgotten" there are NOT forgotten, thanks to an excellent Program Department.
We are a church-related retirement community and so our on-campus TV gives people access to weekly worship services as well as many other interesting activities and programs. Also, in this part of the state we have lots of other church groups who come in to minister in various ways. This community of 800+ is made up of residents who are independent as well, and those who are able enjoy helping those who are not.
We are very blessed; not all facilities have as many people taking an interest in keeping in touch with such folks. Christians do have a mandate to help anyone who is "forgotten" don't we??? |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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My kids and I used to go every Tuesday to a rest home...our preacher preached and I played the piano...and sometimes, I cried...
As more babies came and schooling became more involved, we stopped going...but, didn't just leave them...another friend took over the playing and as far as I know the preacher is still going...
Also, our homeschool group goes to a rest home every Christmas and sings for them and gives them cards...VERY SPECIAL...
In yesteryear, our parents would be living with us in our homes (or perhaps vice/versa)... |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Sunrise isn't the funnest place to go on Sunday's, but it definitely feels good to know you are serving someone else's needs instead of your own. :D |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| Now that's a kid with their head screwed on straight. Congratulations Mike! God bless you Sherlock! |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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What to hear something awesome Mike? No? Well, here it goes anyway. I went to the adult care center across from our church (in the hospital) with my pastor and two others. We played and sang for them while our pastor gave a message to them. It was my very first time doing so. Reminded me of Joey's Mimi when I read about her. So my pastor recommended that I become (get this) the Pastor of Outreach Ministries at our church (it's his call to make anyway)!! Just this week I got appointed the young adults teacher on Sundays and then this. I don't deserve the honor of all these priviledges, but then I remember how others have 'forgotten' the 'forgotten church' and know my grandparents appreciated me way back when. So I gladly go to my 'other' grandparents and let them know what they mean to me. Hopefully my other 'children' will get the passion and have a desire for theirs. |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Lovely comments! Praise the Lord for you who serve these special people!! (and for those who read this and don't, PLEASE don't feel guilty, that sure wasn't the point!!) Mule, you never cease to amaze, bro. Anytime you got something awesome to share, don't hesitate! Sherlock...you make someone proud! :) Debbie, you don't need to go anywhere, you already have a mid-sized congregation at HOME!! lol Barb, I s'pose we rely on the Holy Spirit to put em on our hearts, don't we? :-) Your retirement community sounds like a tiny slice of heaven! |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Wow Todd, wonder if I'll follow in your footsteps? (naawwwww...lol) That's pretty cool though! Leigh, he never leaves/forsakes, but it sure is nice to have some face to face fellowship. GrammyB, they sure are special, ain't they? |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| Mike you are incredible..."The Forgotton Church" What a sermon I could do on that. Man you touched my heart and that of so many.....you and Laura truely men and women of God.....Love in Christ! Pastor Chuck1 |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| Liz, amen for that. I'm noticing we either visit the forgotten church, or we have someone dear to us who is a member. Speaking of...I'm thinking of someone right now that I need to call, tomorrow morning.... Some members of this forgotten church right here on MyChurch! |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| Pastor Chuck, it would be a great sermon, too! I know you are passionate for Jesus, and for his sheep. |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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I fall in that category... Greg goes to church super early and stays until past noon. I can't stay that long, with my arthritis.
I don't have a drivers license and the church doesn't have vans. I read sermons online and found out about a service on Wednesday night at our Church where I can go and take Communion. They also have a prayer group that one of our Ministers wants me to join. |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| Joey, what do you think about an internet broadcast from my church that would feature, ah hum, me on the drums or guitar? It could be set up and be free. |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Mule, we usually just have a pianist. :-) Thanks for your star Maureen! Joey, does Greg drive you to the Wed. night service? I think you'd be an awesome addition to any prayer group, seriously! MarJay, seniors LOVE songs! (as you know!) Bless you Crystal, it's so awesome of you to go! And isn't that just like God to make you the lead singer, lol. God has brought me so far in the area of standing in front of people...though I still have so much farther to go, I spose. lol |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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Penny (Joyful Servant), they're SPECIAL! Thanks Carebear! :-) Preston, I can see you ministering there, I KNOW you would be particularly effective, given your love and humility. You are a true friend to the forgotten church, I'm sure. |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| Thanks so much for reading Justin, Gary, Cubbie, and Yvelisse...please pray for these lovely ppl, and if you can reach out.... :-) |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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It is cool, Mike, that as I read it remembered doing ministry with my church back when younger and then worked at a nursing home and ministered and one time at Christmas when I had on a purple satiny dress and a lady told my pastor I was sparkly like an ornament. lol
Then I started reading the comments and saw how many of us have done this. I have prayed with many in the nursing homes and now to some at the hospital when I go to see Aaron.
Mom can't hear well with her hearing aids even so she watches tv ministers with special headphones and mails her tithes to them.
I take for granted being able to go. I am wondering how many could go if I picked them up. Used to do that too, back when sister Sylvia Stout was living. It got me to church when I didn't feel like going because I didn't want to let her down.
Beautiful memories, ly juanita mae |
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| July 28, 2009 |
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| I have a group (so far it's just me and a kid I gave some drums to) called "The Rejoicing Buzzards" and we are looking for a few good men, or women....lead singer, keyboard, bass..... |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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Mule, I'm sure the Rejoicing Buzzards rock! (is that name taken from scripture, by any chance?) Juanita, how awesome those memories! Yep, quite a few comments from folks who reach out to these dear ppl. There are quite a few assisted living ctrs and nursing homes in our area, I wonder how many of them have services? The Sunrise facility called our church out of the blue, 7 yrs ago, or rather one of the residents called. She worked the whole thing out (she was our first pianist.) She passed 3 yrs ago, but she is still missed. |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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Buzzards and Geezers!!! Wow!!!
You know I had to do that right? It wouldn't be me if I didn't |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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Yes we do Mike! The first group I played with led by a guy who wanted to call us Rejoice. I thought it was too churchy and said what about the Buzzards? No one like that and I was willing to compromise and call us the Rejoicing Buzzards. Still, no one liked it (I don't think it was Rejoicing that offended them). That brother started getting mad about it and I let it go (I had been teasing him that he was a buzzard). We settled on Crowns of Glory, which I came up with while wearing a Tera acting like a beauty contestant (why only women get to do that?).
That name never left me as I tried to explain what my mother said about it. God made buzzards to clean up 'dead' carcasses in the world, just like christians do for the lost (dead without Him) so as to clean up the world of dead people that are still walking around. Plus, since we are saved, we rejoice! We are still buzzards compared to Jesus, but are doing a beautiful thing for Him. Thus, The Rejoicing Buzzards!! |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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Creative name, Mule! hahaha..Crystal! Thanks Bren and Pastor DATM! |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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| It's hard because Greg never knows when he's going to be able to get home from the Credit Union. I do have a couple that I'm scouting out, ya know. |
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| July 29, 2009 |
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| A couple who could drive you? :) |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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| How are you doing the scouting, hmmm? It seems to be a logical question to me...messsin' wit ya. |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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You wanna play for us, Mr Rejoicing Buzzard? lol |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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I went with my old neighbor, the year I was first saved, to the Alzheimer's unit at the hospital to do a hymn sing, and it was WONDERFUL! Those peeps were so appreciative and had a blast! And it made me feel all warm and fuzzy, too! I think this is a great ministry and a great reminder to reach out to them. |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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WOW Mike n Laura... I just discussed this with someone yesterday who ministers in this manner...
Many of these people have given their tithes and offerings and time to teaching, preaching, and laboring in the church, only to be forgotten...
We try to do this as often as we can when time permits and we are faithful to viist folks in these areas...
Thanks for this wonderful Blog and may we all be "Convicted"... PTL!
Blessings In Him... :o)
Herman |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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Lara, I agree, in fact I've never experienced appreciation like I do when we go to the assisted living ctr. Particularly from the Alzheimers patients. I just love them. Herman, can't thank you enough for sharing that, it really touches my heart. |
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| August 01, 2009 |
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| August 02, 2009 |
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Mike, thanks for looking after these folks that I've never forgotten! |
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