'Send the old revival'

Autumn is renewal time in churches

By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@thecitizennews.com

As the leaves begin to fade into yellows, reds and burnt oranges for their grand finale, many Christians look to autumn as a time of spiritual renewal.

Church revivals are traditionally scheduled in the fall, which coincides with nature's period of silent regeneration.

The Rev. Mark Outlaw, pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church, noted that revivals help members "refocus on their spiritual life" and "light the fire again in their hearts" in their walk with Christ.

Bethany UMC will open its four-day revival Sunday evening. The revival will be led by the Rev. Jim Ellison, pastor of Providence UMC, who coincidentally attended seminary with Outlaw and served as youth minister in Outlaw's father's church.

The presence of someone different in the pulpit "really maximizes the revival," noted Outlaw. He emphasized the benefits of having a fresh new face who delivers his message with a different tone.

The Sunday night opening will feature a Sunday school challenge, a competition among classes on the best attendance for the first night of revival. "Monday night will be children's night, with special music geared toward the church's youngest members."

The youths of the congregation will be the focus of Tuesday night's session and the spotlight will be trained on families Wednesday, the closing night of the revival. Each evening begins at 6:45 with congregational singing and concludes at 8 p.m.

The beginning of the liturgical year in Roman churches also starts in the fall with Advent, a time of preparation before the birth of Christ.

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