Announcements
NEW MEMBERS RECEPTION: will be held next Sunday, January 22, following the evening Service for those joining Church of the Open Door in 2020, 2021, and 2022. We haven't been able to host one for the past two years due to COVID limitations, and we are looking forward to a great time of fellowship!
TITHING STATEMENTS: Next Sunday, January 22, the 2022 Tithing Statements will be available for pick-up at the table in the church hallway, before and after each service.
From My Heart
Many of the most loved hymns in our hymnal were written by Fanny Crosby. She was born on March 23, 1820, in New York. She was blinded when only six weeks old through an improper medical treatment. She was able, however, to distinguish between day and night. Francis Jane Crosby lived a normal happy childhood. She spent twelve years as a student at the New York Institute for the Blind and served as a teacher from 1847-1858, teaching language and history.
Fanny is credited for writing more than 8,000 gospel hymns, with many of her hymns still being sung today in churches all over the world. She wrote on a great variety of subjects, but it seems that the themes of Heaven and the Lord’s return to this earth to gather the Redeemed to Heaven were her favorites. The anticipation of seeing her Savior undoubtedly had great personal meaning to her.
Early in her life, Fanny Crosby showed a very unusual talent to write poetry. At the early age of eight, she wrote these words:
“Oh, what a happy soul am I!
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don’t;
To weep and sigh because I’m blind
I cannot, and I won’t.”
This same strong spirit characterized her entire life. Once a well-intentioned Scottish preacher remarked to her, “I think it is a great pity that the Master when He showered so many wonderful gifts upon you, did not give you sight.” Her rebuke came quickly, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition to my Creator, it would have been that I should be born blind.”
The stunned preacher said, “Why?” Fanny responded, “Because when I get to Heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.” In 1891, she penned the words to the hymn she entitled, “My Savior First of All.” We still sing this hymn today, and it is so moving when you understand it was written by a blind
individual.
“When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide, when the bright and glorious morning I shall see; I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, and His smile will be the first to welcome me.” The chorus says, “I shall know Him, I shall know Him, and
redeemed by His side I shall stand; I shall know Him, I shall know Him by the print of the nails in His hand.”
We should all have that perspective: “My Savior First of All.”
Have a great day!
Pastor Norris