I once had an invitation to sing at a large Veteran’s Home, when we still lived in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The chaplain there, a retired Methodist minister related to me the story of meeting one of his old congregants. Their conversation went something like this, “Hi, pastor> It’s so great to see you. what are you doing these days?’

“I am holding chapel services at the Veteran’s Home these days.” he replied

“But aren’t you working somewhere at a real church?” the congregant asked.

“And just what would a ‘real church’ look like?” the pastor asked with a grin.

I love the song, “Little Brown Church in the Vale.” because it reminds me of the little white church in the valley, we used to attend and where we served on staff for many years. But as has so often been pointed out a “real Church” is not a building, whether small or large, picturesque or in need of repairs. A “Real church” is not just in the wildwood, it is in any neighborhood, nursing home or store front chapel where God’s children meet together I do hope you will enjoy the simple rendition of this classic hymn which we sang at our “Real Church” where we met for worship this Friday at Life Care Center!