St. John’s Episcopal Church is located on Lafayette Square, Washington, DC.  It has stood on this site since 1816, and every president from James Madison to Donald Trump has attended services here, thus it is sometimes called “Church of the Presidents.” Not all have been regular attenders, some were regular in different churches, while others seldom attended anywhere, but through the years they have all come here.  When you look at it today, it is difficult to think of it as being the first building on the block as the newer buildings seem to crowd it out and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs looms behind it, but it was not only first on this block, but second only to the White House on the Square.

More important than simply having been frequented by the high and mighty of the Republic, is the fact that the faithful have worshipped our Lord here for almost 200 years.  While this isn’t much in European terms maybe, here in America there are few churches where people have worshipped longer than this.  I might go so far as to say that they have left us all with a legacy of hope, faith and light, and I sure hope that our generation will continue that legacy.

It is for all of us, wherever we may be, and whatever style of worship we might engage in, to ensure that the faith goes beyond our time on the earth.  It is for each of us to live as Christ would have us to live, and to pass His love on to the next generation.  May each of us be up to that challenge as we go forth today and in the days to follow.