John Shugart came from Tennessee in 1860 to what is now Gardendale, Alabama, to plant a new church. Those early brush arbor services soon became Shugart Methodist Episcopal Church, South. That was the beginning of what today is Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. Next year, we will celebrate our 150th anniversary in ministry.
Just over a decade later, Frances R. Havergal wrote a song that became the theme song for the church. No, it was never adopted as the church’s song. But the song “Take My Life” certainly captures the focus of this church family through the generations. Those early believers who built that first wood frame facility, gave their lives to Christ saying, “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord to thee.”
Beginning in January we will have a year long celebration of these 150 years of ministry in North Jefferson County. One of the things I’ve noticed as we look over the history is the commitment of God’s people to give their lives whole-heartedly to Christ and the building of Christ’s Church. They have lived the song, “Take My Life.” That is the reason I suggest it could well be the theme song of this church. We are blessed with this present location and facilities, because of people who did more than sing, “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” What about you and me? Are we willing to make such a commitment?
The many ministries that take place today, happen because of people who continue to live the song, “Take my will, and make it thine, it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. Take my life, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store. Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”
