Pitch the Tent - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

Pitch the Tent on the lawn
set up the chairs, the signs, the pulpit
flagmen at the roadside, cars parked down the street
a throng growing, walking toward the church
the iced tea and lemonade by the gallon

The heat rising under the tent,
stick to the folding chairs, the sweat pooling
on the shirts, dripping by weight, by gravity
But no one moves, all spellbound
by the oneness we breath
A holy mystery, live in us!

Hear the exhortation, the revival message
Good News for the sinners! The Savior Lives!
We are saved! By Grace Alone!
Feel the stirring, the nodding heads, the swaying bodies
in unison affirming the words of the Preacher

Amen’s and Allelulia’s share the air with sighs of truth
knowing, feeling, living the redemption, the saving
the repentance palpable in the newness of the congregation
new people thrown together with the stalwart,
faithful founders, the legacy of Wesley’s vision, his belief
carried forward to these days under the tent

Saving real and wonderful, divinely inspired words
pour from their lips, dripping with excitement, with wonder
with the love of God, giving through the sacrifice
the rising of the Lord on Easter!
Do you feel the choir rising too
in one voice, We are the Church together!
Amazing Grace, how sweet a sound we share
under the hot white tent, our tabernacle on the lawn
outside the four walls of the sanctuary,
beating hearts of faith feeling an older joy

Oh it is wonderful here under the tent
Pitched for the harvest of disciples
made for you Lord
Singing and praising your name
for your Glory, getting Your Message
Out into the world

February 20, 2007 21:16