This is for Worcester.

WORCESTER, MA – "...AN ASPECT OF NEWNESS ON EVERY OBJECT..."

This is for the city that Charles Dickens once said had "...an aspect of newness on every object..."

This is for the city that established its charter in 1848; it went from 16,000 then to more than 100,000 by 1895 and is now reaching for 200,000 today.

This is for the city that held the first National Woman's Rights Convention.

This is for the city who had none other than Abraham Lincoln speak at City Hall before he became president.

This is for the city where Thomas Edison demonstrated his new incandescent light in Mechanics Hall.

This is for the city that was and continues to be a crazy collection of ethnic diversity. In 1898, it was Irish, Swedes, French, Polish, Ukranians, Jewish, Armenian, Finnish, and African Americans. Today it's all of the above and more including Ghanian, Iranian, Vietnamese, Albanian, Puerto Rican, and Mexican to name a few.

This is for the city who boasted the world's fastest cyclist – the famous Major Taylor – the first great black sports personality in the country.

This is for the city who thrived during the Industrial Revolution, took a blow, and now perseveres in the service sector, along with biotechnology, manufacturing, medicine, insurance, and research.

This is for the city that is now known as the "Heart of New England."

In light of all this, and with Charles Dickens' quote providing a vision for Worcester today, my prayer for this city is that Jesus will do what He promises: "Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5).

– Sully

If your curiosity is piqued, or something inside you is being stirred, feel free to connect.