Hear the bells ringing

"Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again.
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead.

"The angel up on the tombstone
Said 'He has risen, just as He said.
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead.'"

This bell, with the caption "He is risen...", sits on the corner of the First Christian Church. It always makes me think of The Easter Song, performed by Keith Green and written by Annie Herring. It's a fitting song for this Easter Sunday.

Doorbells

I like the architectural details in this entryway—the arches, the coach lights, and of course the bell. I wonder if that's actually the doorbell. It would make a fun alternative to the modern doorbells that most of us have.

Mission bell

The bell in this archway reminds me of some of the California mission bells I have seen. I pass it often as we head to Furman Park for a walk. Somehow it has a sense of history, just the look of it. I remember how fun it was to follow the mission bells of the El Camino Real for a mission trip when my daughter was in the 4th grade.

Although the missions date back to 1769, the mission bells that guide you along El Camino Real were not in place until 1906 when a cast iron 85 pound bell was placed into the ground in concrete at the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora Reina de Los Angeles, also known as the Plaza Church near Union Station in Los Angeles.

I don't know if this bell that I pass almost daily has any historical significance, but it is appealing and reminds me often of the heritage we have in California.

Doing the most good

You know it's the Christmas season when you hear the sound of bells ringing.

The well-recognized Salvation Army "Bell-Ringer" program is back for the Christmas season. Bell-ringers staff the Salvation Army donation "pots" around most cities in the US at Christmas time raising funds for the less fortunate.

Ruth Mirana works with the Salvation Army to "do the most good" staffing the donation pot at the Post Office on Firestone in Downey. I think we owe a big THANKS for these hard-working, caring individuals.

Stained glass

I often pass the First Presbyterian Church of Downey. With its large entryway, many archways, and bell tower, it's a very appealing building. I like these stained glass windows from the outside — I can only imagine how beautiful they are from the inside.

I know the church has been there for a long time, but the only date information I could find is on the bell here. McShane Bell Foundry has been making church bells since 1856. This one was made in 1890.