St. John in the Wilderness

Oh, how grand it must have been, This humble chapel deep within the pines.
How grand it must have been,
Long before the moss and the vines.

Oh, how brave I can imagine they were,
A rugged people, simple in values, fervent in prayer.
How brave I can imagine they were.
Braving the elements, the winters, the bears.

Oh, how tough it must have been,
Forging a community from where there was none.
How tough it must have been,
Traveling so far, to worship as one.

Oh, how exciting it must have been,
To witness Lady Baring entering in fine lace.
How exciting it must have been,
Living in a time of such glory and grace.

Oh, how wonderful it must have been,
Riding up to this house of the Lord.
How wonderful it must have been,
Being greeted with such kind words.

NOW I TELL YOU TODAY!

Oh, how grand it IS,
This beautiful church deep within the pines.
How grand it is,
Among the moss and the vines.

Oh, how brave indeed they are,
A rugged people, simple in values, fervent in prayer.
How brave indeed they are.
Braving the elements, the summers, the bears.

Oh, how tough it can be,
Forging a community as sometimes there is none.
How tough it can be,
Traveling so far, to worship as one.

Oh, how exciting it can be,
To be here, among friends, right now, in this place.
How exciting it can be,
Living in a time of such glory and of such grace.

Oh, how wonderful it is,
Riding up to His house, the house of the Lord.
How wonderful it is,
Being greeted with such kind words.

(written from the perspective of a newcomer to a landmark place of worship.  awe and respect of the beauty and historical significance inspired this work. - b2)