The Methodist Tower

Selma is known for its beautiful downtown church spires, and here

 is the tower at Church Street United Methodist.

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 Methodists have worshipped at this location since 1835 on land set aside

 in 1817 by the Selma Land Company. However, this is the third structure.

 It was built in 1901 to replace an 1853 sanctuary that sustained 

extensive damage when its steeple was toppled by a storm

 and landed point down at the altar. Over a century later,

 this spire is holding up just fine!

Linking to ABC Wednesday where the Letter of the Week is M. 

 

Where the Pink Dogwood Blooms

My camera has been waiting, waiting and waiting for this pink dogwood tree

 to bloom in the Church Street United Methodist Church courtyard.

Finally, last week the first buds opened, but it still wasn't quite at peak.

 Good enough!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs

The Resurrection Cross

The sky was mostly cloudy the day after Easter, but flowers on the cross

 in front of Church Street United Methodist Church were still vibrant with color.

 I like the way the newly leafed tree posed in the background too!

Linking to Weekly Top Shot and City Daily Photo Blogs

Galactic Blast

A Galactic Blast is on the way, and those who participate in Church Street United Methodist Church's Vacation Bible School will learn more about a powerful force in the universe!

Many Selma churches are promoting their VBS events with signs like this.

The Rose Window at Church Street

Church Street United Methodist Church celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, and the Rose Window at the rear of its sanctuary memorializes eight of its founders. The church recently participated in the Historic Selma Pilgrimage as the church on tour, and in April it will host an anniversary celebration.

The Church Street Methodist Tour

A circuit riding preacher (Roger Butler), left, helped tell the history of Church Street United Methodist Church during Pilgrimage Weekend. At right, Robert Gamble, architectural historian with the Alabama Historical Commission, came to Selma for the tours and enjoys talking with members of the church. The church was founded 175 years ago and will host its anniversary celebration in April. Built in the early 1900s, the current sanctuary is its third.

Singing to the Seniors

Leika's Preschool choir at Church Street United Methodist Church sings Christmas carols to seniors at a recent appreciation luncheon in the fellowship hall. The background nativity was painted by church member Bill Smith.

Thanks for the photo by guest photographer Christine Weerts.

Church Street Methodist (Skywatch Friday)

Skies are blue, and temperatures are cold in Selma this week, and while I have posted photos of Church Street United Methodist Church before, here's yet another angle.

Methodists have worshiped here since 1835, and while this structure isn't the first, it sits on land set aside for the Methodists when the Selma Town Land Company drew the city's blueprints back in 1817.

The rose window above is a memorial to the 11 people who were part of the original congregation. Their names are included on the eight "petals."

To see more skies around the world, visit Skywatch HERE.

Late Afternoon (Skywatch Friday)

The late afternoon sun shines brightly against the red bricks of Church Street United Methodist Church. Built in 1901 after an 1899 wind storm toppled the steeple into the sanctuary, this structure has undergone several renovations. It is located at Dallas Avenue and Church Street on an acre of land set aside for churches by the Selma Land Company in 1817. The first wooden structure was built here in 1835.

Visit more Longest-Day-of-the-Year Skywatch photos at Wigger's World.

The Good News of Good Friday

Most of Selma's churches are Christian. Here, a cross and cloak stand in front of Church Street United Methodist Church in the weeks preceding Easter. They represent the cross of Calvary where Jesus was crucified for claiming to be the Messiah, the long-promised Savior, who is also God incarnate. But, many religious leaders disagreed and accused Him of blasphemy.

"Again the High Priest asked Him, saying unto Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
"Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him "Prophesy!" And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
(from Mark 14: 61b-65, The Bible - New Testament)

While the death of Jesus seemed terribly tragic to his followers, it was necessary for the completely innocent Son of God to sacrifice his life for the sins of everybody in the world. Since there is nothing that we can do to earn our way to Heaven, Jesus became the "sacrificial lamb" and willingly took the punishment that every person deserves. Only those who place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord receive the free gift of eternal life with Christ.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3: 16-18 (The Bible, New Testament)

So, the Good News that a Savior would deliver us from our sins was fulfilled on Good Friday.

Stay tuned for the resurrection and new life.