On July 2nd we had a HORRIBLE storm
pass thru in the middle of the night. It was so strong that it literally SHOOK our home.
We were awake the rest of the night because of the severity ... & all the fire trucks that kept going past our home. We live on a corner ... we thought they would never cease screaming by.
We finally got quiet. Then about an hour later another set of fire trucks go screaming up our road in the opposite direction. We still do not know what happened at that end of the road, but there were supposedly 2 places hit.
A friend came by at 8AM to tell us the church had been hit by lightening down the road. We hopped in the car to go see what was happening. While there channel 7 TV was there televising the damage & interviewed us.
The new minister was to give his first sermon last Sunday ... his first week here.
“(Firefighters) took out one of the stained glass windows and handed me an American flag, a Christian flag and a cross,” Mason said. “Here I am on the day before Independence Day carrying these to safety.” “The steeple has a lightning rod, but it was such a direct hit, it couldn’t take it,” Rev. Mason said.
You may remember just a mere few years ago our church burned to the ground completely ...
These kinds of scenes just tear at your heart. No church of God should ever suffer damage.
I know God is not a building or structure, but I so love these homes where He resides. This church will rise again.
You will seek me & find me when you seek me with all your hert. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:13-14)
This church will rise just as he is risen! Our prayers are with your community and church for healing and rebuilding.
ReplyDeleteI hear you are having a visiter soon. Something about a"Roamy". LOL. Hugs, Ginger
Dear Marydon, I am so sorry for the damage your church has suffered. I know it must be heart wrenching to see that happen. I'm so glad no one was hurt. You, your church and your community are in my prayers and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Love...Tracy
I am so sorry for the loss of your church but as you say it will rise again. My prayers are with all of you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry your church suffered another loss and I hope the rebuilding can be accomplished soon. As you said...very sad.
ReplyDeleteSo tragic. How devastating. I'm sure the whole congregation is heartbroken. But at least no one was hurt. Like you said, I'm sure it will rise again.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you suffered no damage to your home, but it is sad about the church.It is a beautiful church and I am sure it will be like new again.
ReplyDeleteIt could have been worse....it is sad, but it looks like the firemen did an excellent job of saving most of it! Hopefully the repairs can be made soon :D
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo,
Ricki Jill
Oh I hate to see a Church damaged by anything or anyone! I am so sorry for the loss of this sweet structure! I know that the folks will pull together and rebuild this beautiful building!
ReplyDeleteWE had local fires around too! One home burned to the ground from a lightning strike! SO SAD! They lost everything!
Hugs to you dear Marydon!
Maybe this is the Lords way of telling his people they need to come together. There is always a reason for everything even though it hurts us. Prayers going up for the community.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad! I am sorry to hear this... when I was a child growing up in upstate NY...some teenagers burnt our church to the ground when they couldn't find any money in it to steal... so sad... I am glad that this church will be rebuilt! :)
ReplyDeleteOh..so sorry about the church....what a scarey night and glad all is well with you.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. We experienced a similar thing many years ago, when our Sunday School building burned to the ground. It was an old wooden building and I believe it was struck by lightening too. You don't forget those events.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of this. I know that it won't be long and this church will be put back in order with the beauty it was intended to have. Will be thinking of you as well as the congregation.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I hear that Roamy and his beloved are headed your way. Can't wait for their arrival!
Di
Sometimes it takes something bad to make a church stronger. It is so sad anytime that this happens.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Such a sad thing to see. I hope it is rebuilt again soon.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the damage. That was a frightful night in light of all the storms that have hit many places this year. Hope it is repaired soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, how sad. Seeing a burned church brings such emotions, doesn't it? It's an adorable one, too. The poor new minister...what he must be thinking..He'll probably joke about it someday, though...Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that:(
XoXoXoXoXoXoXo
Oliver
Always sad to see a church building damaged! So sorry for the loss to the church members.
ReplyDeleteThe storms have been so bad this year,all over the country.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are safe.
Oh dear...how terrible. I do hope no one got hurt. Sending all my prayers your way. And sending you a great big hug. Please stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Kisses,
♥Ana
Sorry to hear of this loss but God continues on in many places especially our hearts!
ReplyDeleteTake Care.
Melinda
Marydon I am so sorry to hear of such tragedy you, your church & community are in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteHugz
Sandy
Oh how tragic...I am certain it will be rebuilt but just the same; it's unfortunate!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the church. So glad you weren't hurt though. I saw a card at Hallmark today and it said, "I am a firm believer that there is no place where God is not." ~Maya Angelou
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share that with you.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
How awful! That is so sad. I guess God saw to it that the church was struck rather than someone's home-knowing that HIS house could take it? God bless your community as they face the task of rebuilding. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteOh dear Marydon! I am so sorry for that church. It is beautiful and I am sure it will be again. God does not leave because of a fire...that is good news ...yes??
ReplyDeleteHugs~
The church my husband grew up in burned completely down 2 1/2 years ago. They are finally in the sanctuary and are having an open house this Sunday. They have hung together through all of this. They did have their fellowship hall left which was a new wing. It had to be gutted due to water and smoke damage, but they've been able to function from there.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Marydon,
ReplyDeletethis is unbelievable! It makes me also think that your new pastor really has a calling and will pull his congregation together. I know this will be a testament of faith. What a beautiful church. I hope it will be rebuilt soon.
XO
Cindy
So sorry to hear this but you and the community will overcome. God will see to it. There have been some terrible storms this year, more than usual it seems..Susie
ReplyDeleteI love old churches and hate to see anything bad happen to them. I hope they will repair it.
ReplyDeleteSo, so sad...I lost a home to lightning.....
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, this is quite sad to see and hear about. I cannot help but think that perhaps God is planning to rebuild this church even stronger then ever before. I will keep your community in prayer as well.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see this. Keeping the church family and all of the neighborhood in my prayers. Hope all is well, dear friends!
ReplyDeleteLots of love and hugs to you and Harold.
God is Sovereign even in the midst of great loss. What a beautiful church ... it doesn't appear that it was a total loss...do you know if it can be restored? I love old churches, they have so much personality and history....I will pray for the members of this little church ....
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear about the fire. I find lightning to be a very beautiful thing to watch but my, oh my what destruction it brings. Praying for you and the church family.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I see where Roamy and his new gal Juliet are on their way to visit you. If they need a new destination to travel to when it's time for them to say good-bye, I'd be more than happy to host them here in NE Oklahoma. If so, you can contact me by email at dajack09@yahoo.com.
Come leave a comment on my blog for the Fairy Hobmother! I did and won a $50 Amazon Gift Cert. Seriously.. come comment and leave your wish.
ReplyDeleteDi
The Blue Ridge Gal
Oh Marydon,
ReplyDeleteIt just pulls at the heart to see this church damaged like this. I am so sorry. It sure sounds like the new pastor has the faith to carry on and lead his congregation to rise again.
My prayers are with all affected and the church family in the days ahead.
I love gorgeous white churches like this. I hope you can take a pic again when it is rebuilt.
Enjoyed your 4th of July post too.
Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment on my redesign.
So glad to be done since the net 2-3 weeks are going to be busy.
Still very hot here and over 100 everyday.
Love to you dear one,
Celestina Marie
Marydon, How tragic! We have had these storms in Richmond every night for over a week. The lightning has been terrible with over 5000 strikes in just a couple of hours. I am glad you are safe and I hope the church can be rebuilt soon.
ReplyDeletexo,
Sherry
That is so sad. Natural disaster are the worst! I know they will rebuild that lovely church. Love to you today and always! Anne
ReplyDelete