A SERMONETTE SUITABLE FOR FRAIL/AGED FOLK.

Many of us remember the old family routine of Sunday mornings........waking the children early and dressing them in their very best and most beautiful clothes. Fathers would scrub and polish every persons' shoes 'till they gleamed. After breakfast teeth were cleaned and hair brushed till it shone. My wife ( or I ) always tied colored ribbons in each of our daughters' hair, and before we left for Church, a final inspection was made of the whole family to make sure everyone of us looked at our very best. Some families were wealthy and were able to drive a car to Church, but we were poor so we walked the blocks, heads held high and proud of ourselves.

Sunday morning Church was the highlight of the week, a special routine in which the entire family participated.Usually it was the only outing we enjoyed together as a family unit, because I worked such long hours, and the children had their homework to do, and besides that we never seemed to have enough money to go out. We always amused ourselves at home - apart from this one very important Sunday outing. At Church we would meet our friends, then sing some beautiful familiar hymns, listen to (or sing in) the choir, and then hear a message from our local priest or pastor. Holy Communion followed.....always so special. Yes, Sunday Church was something we all looked forward to, and afterwards we always sat down to our traditional Sunday lunch of roast lamb with vegetables and following that,baked apples and custard.

Nowadays getting to church is often impossible for us. We just do not have the health to be able to manage it any more. But you know, God always promises us a way out, or through our difficulties. And for lots of us here, we are able to own a television. There, in countries all over the world a wonderful program is shown every Sunday morning....'SONGS OF PRAISE'. Where I live I can watch it at 11.00 a.m. and I just love it.

On 'SONGS OF PRAISE' ( it used to be called 'Hymns of Praise' ) we see Christian churches from all types of backgrounds, ages and beliefs extolling in song the glorious truths of our faithful God. Sometimes the program is filmed in a majestic old cathedral with choir boys all dressed up in colored robes with frilly starched collars, and the singing is pure and angelic. Sometimes the program might be filmed outdoors, by a river or the sea, perhaps with the congregation relaxing in deck chairs. I've seen 'Songs of Praise' programs filmed in a fantastic old mansion and some in gorgeous gardens. Others have been in old ruins where ancient churches once stood. Some are inner city churches with people of many racial groups and many poor people. In fact last year they filmed one program from the steps of the Sydney Opera House right here in Australia.

But all these programs remind us of one thing. No matter what type of Christian church we belong to, we are all praising the one eternal God. The singing may sound different and they may sing modern tunes or old familiar tunes. They may stand formally and sing with a conductor, or they may sit down on the grass with a band playing.

All of these people, mostly from the British Isles, are like us. All waiting to thank our God for His goodness, and all offering God praise and gratitude. We may look or act or sing differently, but God loves ALL praise and He accepts all of us from which ever traditional church background we have grown accustomed to.

We are truly "ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS", all here for the same purpose, and 'SONGS OF PRAISE' reminds us just how different our churches can be, yet how within the heart of every person the same God is truly loved and worshipped. God accepts the praises of His people no matter in what form they come, and I find that when I watch 'SONGS OF PRAISE' I am constantly reminded of that. Folk from all walks of life, rich or poor, city and country, all tell the glorious deeds He has done in their lives. Some speak of healings and personal stories of how God has helped them in a crisis.These brave people help us to grow and become stronger in our trust in God too.

Aren't we blessed to be able to watch this every week in our own lounge room? How good God is, that for so many years this program has been played....just for us. God understands that we can't all get to Church like we used to, so He in His love has brought Church to our television sets. Let us always remember to watch it when we can. There are many other Christian programs too which we can watch if we wish to.

SING...."Now Thank We All our God With Hearts and Hands and Voices".

PRAY a prayer thanking God for His unity within all our diversity of background and church upbringing.

If you are confined to a bed or a chair, ask your carer or nurse to turn your television on for you. In much of Australia the program is screened on Channel 2 each Sunday morning at 11.00 a.m.You can ask the nurse to check the television guide to make sure you do not miss it. You will be really blessed when you set the time apart to watch and join in to worshipping God again.

Christine M. Jones. Copyright 2003. All Rights Reserved.