OAKLAND HERITAGE CHURCH OF GOD: From my Farmington friend, Betty

The Little White Church On The Hill

THE LITTLE WHITE CHURCH ON THE HILL

The old oak tree still stands on the hill, it’s branches spreading wide;
The cedar trees with their perfume, lined up, still stand beside
The cemetery, with tombstones old, so peaceful and so still,
But the centerpiece of this rural scene is the little white church on the hill.

Since 1883 it has stood there, a lighthouse to show the way,
A haven for the weary, a place for the burdened to pray.
Jacob Blickensderfer designed it, but God set the dream in his heart.
Oakland needed a churchhouse, where people could draw apart

And come to a place of worship when they needed sweet peace and rest;
A place where they felt God’s presence, when they needed to be blessed;
A place where they sought His healing when the physical body was ill;
Jacob built them this House of Worship, this little white church on the hill.

The bell tower guards the southern side, the bell rings loud and clear
Proclaiming the time of worship has come, as it’s done for many a year;
And the little white church with its doors open wide still welcomes God’s people in
Where the music rings out and the gospel is preached that you can be saved from your sin.

Weathered stones now compose the old library walls where ivy has grown through the years -
A memorial built more than a century ago in honor of one held so dear
Who wrote in his diary that family and business meant so much to him, but still
He was leaving a legacy for others to use– the little white church on the hill.

The old wooden cross which was hand made with love still beckons the weary to come;
It’s the first thing you see when you enter the church and you know that at last you are home
In the little white church which was built long ago for families who wanted to pray,
Where the altar is blessed and stained with the tears of those who were seeking the Way.

Sometimes in the silence of this sanctuary - I sit and it seems I can hear
The laughter of children from days long ago, the memories that now seem so near
Of Jacob, Louisa, and their children, too, who worshiped in this very place.
These walls heard their songs and echoed their prayers as they came to partake of His grace.

And then I can see their caskets, draped with sadness and flowers of mourning
Being carried away from this chapel outside to await the final dawning.
When their graves on this hillside will open and this building will be no more,
But the church will all be together on that happy golden shore.

And we will all share our precious memories of the times we gathered here
As we sang and prayed and worshipped in this place we all hold dear;
And I think even heaven will listen, and the angels will all be still
As we remember the blessings of Oakland, and the little white church on the hill.

Written by Pastor Joan Hart on July 26, 2002 in honor of the Oakland Heritage Church of God, formerly the Oakland United Methodist Church, and originally the Oakland Moravian Church, and in memory of Jacob Blickensderfer, who designed and built the church in 1883. Copyright 2002

Thursday, June 11, 2009

From my Farmington friend, Betty

Received this today after emailing Betty some web pictures of our church. You all will remember how I have told you about Betty and her conversion from a lifesong lifestyle of lesbianism to that of a saved and sanctified beautiful saint of God.

Joan, Will never forget the 1st. time we came to this Beautiful Church, The memories that flooded my mind about feelings I was getting. Milan was so surprised, told us to hide as you were on the way, You and Gladys went to your house I think as you had forgotten something,It was a Blessing I can never speak of how it made me feel.The sermon was as always a Work of how God works in you.I came up front for Prayers.We shared food,fellowship,had a very joy filled day. I have my Birthday this mo.on the 27th, you came spent 4 and half hours with me.I have never been the same again,Then you baptized me and 6 others on the following March 17th.WOW. could shout from roof tops to let people know what they are missing. I know my GOD WHO LIVES TODAY. Thank you for being here,careing about someone like me.I want what you do, When my time comes to go home, Have a Happy day of Praise and singing. I will See my Jesus face. Gods Blessings. Betty Shanks