Readings for the Coming Week
- William Lawrence
2 Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
Alternate First reading and Psalm
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 93
Second reading
Revelation 1:4b-8
Gospel
John 18:33-37
In this season of Thanksgiving, the Bible reminds us that we are to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). The Rev. Dr. Norman Sanders explains what this means for us today.
About
Early History of Churches in Freeport
The history of the Presbyterian Church in Brazoria county began shortly after Texas won its independence. One of the landmarks of the county was the Bethel Presbyterian Church, built by Mrs. Josiah Bell in 1838 along the Brazos River in East Columbia. Attendance at the church required a riverboat trip, with some members traveling for two days and one night to reach the church.
Other Presbyterian churches of the area were established in later years. The Perry family built the Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church in in 1879, and in the late 1800’s the town of Quintana built their church. Quintana was a much larger town at that time, with 1500 to 2000 inhabitants. The major industries included exportation of cotton, crude sugar, cowhides, and salt. The Quintana church was destroyed in the storm of 1900.
Know More About
The Church Windows
In 1989 it became obvious that the windows in the church sanctuary needed to be replaced. In two weeks enough money was pledged to install stained glass. A committee consisting of Billy McCoy, Phyllis McCoy, Keith Polinkas, Bertha Salmans, Lila Stephenson, Bruce Story, and the Rev. Stixrud worked with the Texas Art Glass Company of Houston. The windows are a statement of Presbyterian beliefs. Each window depicts a different section of the Apostle’s Creed. The dedication of the windows was held with an organ recital on Sunday, October 28, 1990