Cawood Methodist Church

Speedwell, Tennessee

          It is appropriate that Cawood Methodist Church is the first church in our series of "Visiting the Condos." As you’ll discover in Chapter Four of Taste and See, and in this article, this church was very important to my parents during their fifteen-year adventure in Appalachian Tennessee.

          And the church is connected to The Rec Room in a number of different ways. My mom, Doris Barrese, was involved in The Rec Room for many years, listening to tapes when she was in Florida and Oregon and attending The Rec Room events when she was in Southern California. Also, some of the current parishioners are involved in The Rec Room through the Ministry Update.

          The first things that I noticed when I walked in to the Cawood Methodist Church in Speedwell, Tennessee, were the bouquets of dogwood blossoms. I immediately thanked the Lord for that special gift.

          Cawood was the church Mom and Dad belonged to during the time they lived in Tennessee. It was so special to them that Dad’s memorial service was held there even though he died after moving to Florida. In fact Dad’s memorial service fifteen years ago was the last time I had been in that building ¾ until the morning of this visit. And Mom and Dad are both buried near the church ¾ under a dogwood tree.

          While few in number, this congregation is filled with love. We were greeted warmly upon our arrival.

          The service was beautiful. We sang traditional hymns like Blessed Assurance and Victory in Jesus. A young woman named Elizabeth taught the children about the armor of God making sure that they knew that their real enemy is Satan, not other people.

          Ann, Elizabeth’s mother, had the Sunday school share special music, Keep on the Firing Line. We like that song so much that we plan to share it at some Rec Room events. One line that I especially like is, "If you wear a crown, then bear the cross you must; keep on the firing line.

          And, though many of the members are related to each other, the congregation makes newcomers welcome as well. My parents learned that thirty years ago. And we found that it’s still true today.

          And the sermon was perfect for us. My brother had read Psalm 23 to my mother repeatedly during her last few days before going to be with the Good Shepherd. It was wonderful that that Lord arranged for that Psalm to be the sermon topic of the day.

          Some quotes from the sermon:

                    "Sometimes I only nibble — I get the weeds and it’s all my own fault. That doesn’t satisfy."

                    But He feeds me "and it just gets better." – He said that phrase repeatedly and effectively, "it just gets better."

                    "Twenty-two years ago He found me, but that’s not all ¾ He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. "

                    If I were to do it myself, it would just be "me, myself and I, society’s holy trinity."

                    Notice that "our enemies: sin, death and the devil, are NOT welcome at the table."

                    But we have "forgiveness and reconciliation, the oil of gladness."

                    "The sheep dogs, Mercy and Goodness, follow after us."

          And finally, Dave’s comment was, "It’s the best sermon I’ve ever head on Psalm 23."