“GOD’S VOICE TODAY”—
We embark this day on a wonderful journey of
remembering. Remembering the past,
rejoicing that the Word of God has been preached in this area, first as a
Congregational Presence and then a Presbyterian one. Today we celebrate the work of those who were
led to this area, still what some might call a wilderness area, especially when
it came to religion and the practice of it.
Two men, the Rev. Peter Fish and the Rev. Timothy Mather
Cooley founded this church 200 years ago this coming August. What I would like to share this first Sunday
of our celebrations is not so much a sermon, but some biographical information,
some insight into how congregations were formed during this time and some historical
reflections about the early 1800’s.
God’s
voice has come to countless people throughout history. We celebrate the voice of the church,
Christ’s body, a voice in the past, but still present today. As we continue to celebrate through 2003, let
us be mindful that the sacrifices made in the past were made that we may
continue the ministry of Jesus Christ into the future. Verona First, 200 years and
beyond. It is the beyond to which
we direct our attention;
yet it is the decades that have gone before that have laid the
foundation upon the Rock of our Salvation.
May we celebrate with both pride and humbleness as we gather strength to
move forward into this New Year, buoyed by new energy and passion for the
living Word of God.
May we be truly open to God’s voice, God’s Spirit just as those in the
first three decades of the 19th century.