First Sunday

We woke up early like it was Christmas morning. Jean Ann had some last minute things to do in her office for the first impressions ministry on this inaugural day for our new sanctuary, so we put on our "Sunday's best" and drove to church on this beautiful morning of Dec. 7, 2008.
I had every intention of taking pictures. I picked up my handy, digital Kodak that has travelled the world with us. I put it in my pocket so it would be ready for storing memories- but something amazing happened this morning. As we arrived at the church, a feeling came over me, and I didn't really care about storing pictures on my 2 gigabyte disc anymore. We began to soak it all into our minds and into our hearts. Every eye that met ours was filled with a sparkle of joy. Smiles were stretched on the faces of every man, woman, and child. Red and white poinsettias surrounded the new fountain in our foyer. Directly behind it, the new church bookstore and coffee shop was already filled with interested early-risers. The festive holiday decor of green wreathes with red bows, along with wooden crosses backlit with white lights, and golden lights filling the spaces of the colored stained glass, all brought with them smiles abundant.
People everywhere. We shook hands. We hugged necks. All glowed with what must be near to the glory of heaven. I know that blessed essentially means happy. So, blessed and happy we all were to highest degree.
We were greeted with so many stories of how folks had waited so many years for this day. Robert Brown, our member and building contractor, had been the lead on all three phases of the buildings in this location. He told me and Jean Ann that only by the love and grace of God that this was coming to fruition.
God had built this church, and now everyone was there to give Him all the glory!
Sunday school classes met at 9am. All the rooms seemed to be furiously filling.
That being said, all classes were letting out early so people could go grab a seat in time for our 10:30am service.
Jean Ann and I headed to the new choir rehearsal hall.
More smiles.
We put on our new concert-black dressy robes and found our spots in our rows.
Even more smiles.
We warmed up, discussed the order of service, and prayed.
I led the tenor line and awaited all the other lines before we were given the cue to enter while the orchestra played a marvelous overture/anthem.
More and more smiles. (It was such a remarkable view to look into the faces of the congregation. Old and young, their faces shined with joy!)
We remained standing as the orchestra ended their song and the congregation burst out the seams (over 2000 people). The pastor asked everyone to move into the rows and make openings for all that needed a seat. Today, no one seemed to mind. Nothing was an inconvenience. It was all about the experience, the worship, the communion, the togetherness.
SMILES with SMILES on top of them.
We sang. Hands raised. Love out poured.
Pastor Tommy prayed.
Tim and a praise group sang a beautiful song to Jesus.
All stood! Amen!
Pastor Chuck walked to the pulpit.
He started to speak,
he paused, his head dropped...
He tried to get a couple of words out, but they were broken with his tears...
We all could heard his heart. We felt what he was feeling.
Tears of joy.
Jean Ann began to cry. Of course, I cried too.
Many cried. (Sniffles echoed throughout his prayer.)
He began to pray and thanked God for the overflowing of blessings on this church, on this day.
This was the first time in about 15 years that we had all met in worship together as the church body. We were all together. Praising His name above all other names.
Pastor Chuck preached a message about Jesus building the church.
He ended by saying that we are the "Church Triumphant!"
Indeed we were that day.
Indeed we are.
Smiles, tears...a love offering to our Savior Jesus Christ.
I pray these memories will stay with us all forever. And today, my eyes and my heart were my camera. I pray that we will honor Him in unity and peace through our love and faithfulness to the one true God. The Creator. The GREAT I AM!
The Pastor said that only the Word will be preached from this pulpit. I say, Amen!
I praise God for Jesus. Thank you for this church, your children, and all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. Thank YOU for this First Sunday. Only you are worthy of our praise!
Merry CHRISTmas everyone!