Thursday, September 17, 2015

Spiritual Journey Thursday - Church

 
     I look forward to Thursdays when I can publish thoughts on my spiritual journey and hear the thoughts of others on a weekly theme topic.  It has become a space for an encouraging and fortifying community to come together.  We welcome anyone who would like to join us!
 
This week's theme is CHURCH.
 
Christmas Eve
 
Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the  apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being  the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
  I chose this week's topic after spending Sunday morning at my church, marveling at the way its servants come together and use their spiritual gifts to serve God and each other - not just on Sundays, but daily.  One of the reasons I chose Lebanon Presbyterian Church is because I felt the Holy Spirit there.  It's a place where I feel uplifted, empowered, and comforted. 
 
I'm part of the Adult Education Committee, and Sunday was our 7th annual LPC Fall Kick-Off Breakfast.  We introduce our fall classes and opportunities while serving pancakes, fruit, sausage, bacon, orange juice, and coffee.  It's amazing to me how it comes together every year - a little like the loaves and fishes story!  I only play a tiny part - Nina, our amazing leader, shops for the food, organizes all the helpers, and assists with every part of the event.  Church members volunteer to set up the tables and chairs the day before, wrap silverware, cut up fruit, set the tables, cook the food (starting bright and early that morning), and set up and brew the coffee.  Then our youth pastor and youth groups come about an hour before the breakfast  and set out syrup, butter, and the silverware wrapped in napkins, pour orange juice and milk, and line up in the kitchen to carry plates of food out to about 250 hungry church members and visitors - all while smiling and having fun.  While everyone is eating, teachers and facilitators of fall classes come to the stage and talk about their classes while Lee expertly emcees the event.  Everything is whisked away and cleaned up before the service starts an hour and 15 minutes later,  complete with beautiful contemporary music (1st service is traditional), a sermon on how Jesus sees women, and prayer.  Astounding.
 
The church body was fed spiritually and physically Sunday morning.  This event is only one of many great outreaches that are hosted and sponsored by our church.  How blessed we are to live in a country where we can worship freely and come together in His name.  LPC's mission statement is "Loving People to Christ" - I'm thankful to be a part of it!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

5 comments:

  1. Loaves and fishes! Looks like great fun and fellowship as well as nourishment. I'll link up later. I had a post all in my head yesterday but didn't have time to write it. Now it's not so clear. I am hoping to get clarity again.

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  2. Holly, the gathering of hundreds to join hands in a celebration like the loaves and fishes' story is exactly what was in my mind when reading your post. Your congregation sounds like a committed group of people who enjoy each other and provide good spiritual company. May your fall classes be filled with the spirit.

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  3. Greetings, Holly! Thank you for your generosity in hosting this sacred spot. I'm making the proverbial leap of faith and posting today...a posting, I hope, that will the first down payment on a commitment to myself and to our God to post each week. When, after reading a number of posts (past, present, and future), if you deem me worthy of having a hot link/logo to SJT, please give me the okay. Thank you! ...As a former social studies teacher and because today is US Constitution Day, I was struck by your reference to our great Grace to live in a country where the wonderful outreach things you described your Church doing is possible. "Loving People to Christ" what a blessing to make that a personal mission statement. Thank you! God bless you for inviting all who wish to do so to participate with you and each other here, on this site, in sharing their faith journeys. Here goes my first self-revelation posting for SJT. Heaven help me. God bless you.

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  4. Holly, I can all but taste the pancakes. Your church sounds like a wonderful place! Interesting that the photo I chose for my post is also a Presbyterian church - albeit one I've only seen outside, not in. And thanks, as always, for hosting.

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