“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Greetings, friends! We have much to celebrate here at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church. This is the first in a series of blog posts I have been asked to write as we navigate this amazing year.
I pray that, here in this digital space, we can emulate the spirit of Anna Stamps Howard, one of “The Three Annas” who worked tirelessly to organize the congregation that became HMPC. “Amazed by the lack of any Presbyterian influence in Tarboro,” one account states, “she became a driving force for the establishment of a Presbyterian Church.”
The PC(USA) congregation, officially chartered in 1874, has enjoyed a strong history marked by an extraordinary legacy of leadership both within the community and beyond. It was here in 1926, in his office just off the entry to the sanctuary, that then pastor Daniel Iverson penned the original text to “Spirit of the Living God.”
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
The hymn, destined to become a classic, captured deep truths about the nature of God and quickly took on a life of its own — much like the witness of Howard Memorial — immeasurably more than anyone could have asked or imagined.
As the 150th birthday observances begin to build momentum in this year-long celebration, it is humbling to look back on the work of God’s Living Spirit in this place. It is more thrilling still to look forward, with hope and anticipation for the future.
According to some authorities, Iverson’s original wording included the more challenging invitation for God to, “Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.” Regardless, the implication is clear; our future, as our past, is only possible to the extent that we give ourselves over completely to God’s initiatives of restoration, grace, mercy, love, redemption, justice, and healing.
In Christ’s constant love — Derek Maul
