Such Joy | Cedar Grove
Today led us to Church number 1 on the search...and when I say number one not because we've ranked it, but because it was one that was on all of our lists. We've been connected to it in a few ways over the years, though we don't know anyone there right now. What we do know is that it is the source of two amazing church planting couples that have started their own ministries. People I respect greatly.
My first impression was a vibrant energy...after being in a church of 50 people +/- walking into a lobby of hundreds of people mingling was intense - thankfully friendly greeters took the edge off feeling like we were lost in a school of herring. There was a line for coffee, people hugging, chatting, laughing, smiling.
The service was beautiful. The music was well done, but came to life with the addition of line dancing pastors (you had to be there it was great, in the most fun-loving, spontaneously goofy way!) moments of worship that brought tears to my eyes (not hard though I suppose on day one of our journey). Announcements about GIANT children being born reminded me of "home" in the years when children were being added to our midst.
The message was well spoken, sincere, and thought provoking. The pastor struck me with his gentle humility and humour (when he talked about how he didn't have a green thumb because it had been cut off - and gave a thumbs up minus half this digit I thought it was some sort of crazy visual effect...and yet apparently he actually is missing part of his thumb and quite happy to use it as a sermon illustration!).
The woman who sat in front of us was friendly and most welcoming. As I prayed through the service to help me see opportunities to minister - where we might fit - a few lept off the page...
1. They are hosting Alpha a program near and dear to my heart that I helped lead for several rounds at New Beginnings.
2. They appear to have several missions trips in the works and are actually hosting the Watato Children's Choir when they come to Missions Fest this year.
3. They have a grief recovery program which would be a wonderful opportunity for Mom to minister (considering her experience and recently published book).
They have more ministries and groups than any church I've ever seen...this says to me that they are thriving and people are engaged - otherwise all those people would have not looked so stinkin' happy they would have looked TIRED!
At first I spotted one strike - they have a formal (but beautiful) sanctuary but this means NO COFFEE...and yet like when I was in the Catholic churches in Peru several years ago...there is something to keeping the sanctuary a holy place. I'm just used to my holy place including a warm cup of Java. I see the upside, but it would still be an adjustment.
All in all, a wonderful place to spend day one. There is nothing I like more than being surrounded by pure joy and this place was full of it. Even my son was dancing...and he doesn't dance!
Next week we have two stops - wish us luck!
In other news, I've begun another search simultaneously - for our family to pull off a short term trip this year - something for us to focus on and work towards as we search for a home. If anyone else is interested in heading off somewhere with us to serve for a week to 10 days in the late summer early fall, please let me know!
My first impression was a vibrant energy...after being in a church of 50 people +/- walking into a lobby of hundreds of people mingling was intense - thankfully friendly greeters took the edge off feeling like we were lost in a school of herring. There was a line for coffee, people hugging, chatting, laughing, smiling.
The service was beautiful. The music was well done, but came to life with the addition of line dancing pastors (you had to be there it was great, in the most fun-loving, spontaneously goofy way!) moments of worship that brought tears to my eyes (not hard though I suppose on day one of our journey). Announcements about GIANT children being born reminded me of "home" in the years when children were being added to our midst.
The message was well spoken, sincere, and thought provoking. The pastor struck me with his gentle humility and humour (when he talked about how he didn't have a green thumb because it had been cut off - and gave a thumbs up minus half this digit I thought it was some sort of crazy visual effect...and yet apparently he actually is missing part of his thumb and quite happy to use it as a sermon illustration!).
The woman who sat in front of us was friendly and most welcoming. As I prayed through the service to help me see opportunities to minister - where we might fit - a few lept off the page...
1. They are hosting Alpha a program near and dear to my heart that I helped lead for several rounds at New Beginnings.
2. They appear to have several missions trips in the works and are actually hosting the Watato Children's Choir when they come to Missions Fest this year.
3. They have a grief recovery program which would be a wonderful opportunity for Mom to minister (considering her experience and recently published book).
They have more ministries and groups than any church I've ever seen...this says to me that they are thriving and people are engaged - otherwise all those people would have not looked so stinkin' happy they would have looked TIRED!
At first I spotted one strike - they have a formal (but beautiful) sanctuary but this means NO COFFEE...and yet like when I was in the Catholic churches in Peru several years ago...there is something to keeping the sanctuary a holy place. I'm just used to my holy place including a warm cup of Java. I see the upside, but it would still be an adjustment.
All in all, a wonderful place to spend day one. There is nothing I like more than being surrounded by pure joy and this place was full of it. Even my son was dancing...and he doesn't dance!
Next week we have two stops - wish us luck!
In other news, I've begun another search simultaneously - for our family to pull off a short term trip this year - something for us to focus on and work towards as we search for a home. If anyone else is interested in heading off somewhere with us to serve for a week to 10 days in the late summer early fall, please let me know!
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