Rising From The Ashes: Mt Carmel UMC Holds First Sunday Service After Fire

May 19, 2014

Tears of sorrow became songs of joy and praise Sunday morning for the members of the Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church north of Jay.

Sunday morning, Mt. Carmel  members, visitors and friends packed their temporary home at the old Cornerstone church building in Jay for their first Sunday service since fire consumed their church building last Wednesday.

Very few physical items survived the fire — the sound system computers work and there are plans to restore candle holders, a pulpit cross and one collection plate that was found. And a church member happened to have the cemetery records at his home at the time of the fire.

But the spirit of the church and its people survived unscathed.

Thanks to the generosity of others and the use of Cornerstone, Mt. Carmel was back worshiping Lord Sunday morning with a screen, projector, sound system, piano and joyful sounds of their own choir.

Across Jay and the surrounding area, numerous churches have joined in praying for Mt. Carmel, with other United Methodist churches in the area conference taking up a love offering to help with immediate expenses.

Church members believe the first that destroyed their church building Wednesday was sparked by lightning. The first firefighter was on the scene moments after the first 911 call, and firefighters from across the area battled the blaze for hours but were unable to save the building. They were reportedly hampered by a lack of an adequate water supply.

Church members gathered and watching helplessly as their church building was destroyed. Many wept, many gathered in prayer for the safety of first responders. Some just stared silently as the fire consumed the building.

Pictured top: Mt. Carmel UMC members held a church service at the old Cornetstone church building in Jay Sunday morning. Pictured inset: The Mt. Carmel UMC Choir.  Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured bottom inset: Church member comfort one another as fire consumes their sanctuary.  Pictured below: Fire consumed the Mt. Carmel UMC Church north of Jay last Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News