April 17, 2004
Endings & Beginnings
Tomorrow marks the last day we worship at our current church facility. The following Sunday will be our first in a brand new facility in a brand new location. As I think back over the almost four years we've been a part of this body of believers, there are several milestones that are extremely significant.
Both of our children were baptized at this church. Jenna was the first to be baptized (on May 9, 2001), and Joel had the honor of doing the deed, just as we had always hoped. As they stood there in the baptistry in their white robes, Joel spoke to the Wednesday night crowd, telling them he just might baptize her with tears first....
Later that night when we were talking about her baptism, Jenna said it 'felt good.' When I asked her what she meant, she said, "It felt like Jesus was touching my heart." (!) What precious words from the mouth of our sweet daughter to describe this simple act of obedience!
Although Zach trusted Christ for his salvation when he was just 5, he did not follow the Lord in baptism until July 3, 2002. Again, it was Joel that did the baptizing, with it's own tremendous significance. You see, Zach was the first Comm to join Joel in salvation--since the rest of his family are not believers.
Both Zach and Jenna participated in the children's musicals as well over the past few years, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. Both of them astounded us by singing solos a couple of times in front of audiences of about 500. What a joy to our hearts to see them serving God in such special ways.
Other ways God has touched our hearts at this church: the dear friends He's given us; the wonderful FLOCK He put us into; the special way Joel has helped out at VBS the past two summers; the support groups we helped start; the healing of friends; the special Easter and Christmas services we've participated in; the funeral of a beautiful soul.... We have been encouraged by the Holy Spirit through those who have taught us. We have been convicted of our sin, repented, and been forgiven and restored. We have met God there so many times--or rather He met us there at the very point of our need.
We have laughed with this congregation in this place. We have shared tears and struggles, prayer requests and praises, hopes and fears and concerns. And we have grown in this place.
As a sweet friend put it at our last Wednesday night choir rehearsal the other night, "I've been so excited about going to the new location...but now we have to leave!" It is so true. We have been excited about this new facility over the past three years. We can't wait to see what God is going to do in this new place. But at the same time, it is more than a little bit hard to leave this old place--with its green shag carpeting, sprawling campus, bad sound system, and limited parking.
Tomorrow is sure to be an emotional day, an exciting day. I know it will be a day to remember. I am so thankful God brought us to this body of believers, and I look forward to what He's going to do with us and through us as we begin a new phase of our lives at the new location.