Dear Worshipers,
This week our church is adorned with a definite Mexican flavor as we enjoy our annual Vacation Bible School. It is a very exciting week in the life of the church ecuase it is so wrought with the potential of changing children’s eternal destiny as many learn about and begin to live for Jesus. Many a believers’ testimony takes a journey through VBS, which makes sense when we consider that the majority of Christians come to know Jesus as children.
But what exactly is a “fiesta”? In my preparation for our worship service for this coming Sunday I researched that. I learned that its etymology is from the Spanish fiesta "a festival, a religious celebration," from Latin festa, plural of festum "festival, feast" --related to FEAST, FESTIVAL especially : a saint's day celebrated in Spain and Latin America with parades and dances. When I came in to the closing section last night they were definitely celebrating as they sang and danced. It was a rousing close to the first day of VBS.
As I began my planning for the service this idea of celebration was on my mind. I came across these words in one of my planning resources. “What is the best term to describe the services we share on Sundays? Worship services? Assemblies? I have an idea—how about CELEBRATIONS?! The primary reason we gather as a congregation is to CELEBRATE Jesus’ resurrection and the new life we as believers have in Him! Let’s do that!” That really resonated in my spirit! Let’s CELEBRATE!
I tend to be demonstrative in my living and in my worshipping, so this comes pretty natural to me. But the supernatural dimension is even more real. When I bring myself, or rather allow the Lord to bring me to a place of understanding what I am doing when I come to worship, I am filled with a heart that longs to CELEBRATE!
On Sunday we read the words of the Psalmist from 40:1-3. Here David talks about waiting for the Lord and being delivered from the mud to stand on the rock. David speaks of God giving a new song, a hymn of praise. That to resonated with me. But it should resonate with all of us who have been delivered from death to life. You want to talk about religious celebration, look into heaven where the saints declare the worth of God eternally.
I pray there will be many added to their number this week at VBS, and that as the saints gather to CELEBRATE “Fiesta” on Sunday, they would be caught up in that eternal FIESTA that is reserved for the people of God. Let’s CELEBRATE!
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
The Torch Is Passed
Dear Worshipers,
For the last couple of years I have labored with this vision of churches working together to present a musical that would celebrate America, but more importantly acknowledge God as the provider of all true freedom. A couple of months ago it was looking like that vision might die, but God did an amazing work. I can say with some degree of confidence that the torch has been passed onto a whole new group of people, involved for the first time this year, and that they seem very willing to run with it.
We had a wonderful turnout to both performances, coverage on WBOY, and a couple of pictures in the Dominion Post. But was it even more exciting to me was the enthusiasm of the people involved. They were really excited about this thing.
It was thrilling for me to see how significantly we were outnumbered. While we had a strong showing with about 20 of our folks, there were far more from the other churches 34, for a combined total of 54. Here is a link you can go to see some pictures of the performance from the MET. The Torch is Passed
A couple of comments from folks that were particularly meaningful to me. When Pastor Drew, who played bass, asked the sound technician if the hall normally had a good sound, he replied, “Never as good as it did today.” Praise the Lord! We actually prayed for that. Go figure. I had a man come up to me in full patriotic garb who informed me that he and his wife had attended July 4th musical celebrations in Philadelphia and Washington and that ours rated right up there with anything they had ever seen. WOW! Thanks be to God. It was a talented group, but God was One who made the performance truly spectacular.
If you were not able to be involved this year I hope you will consider now your involvement next year. It promises to be even more exhilarating as more churches get involved and the awareness of the event grows within the community. The torch is passed.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
For the last couple of years I have labored with this vision of churches working together to present a musical that would celebrate America, but more importantly acknowledge God as the provider of all true freedom. A couple of months ago it was looking like that vision might die, but God did an amazing work. I can say with some degree of confidence that the torch has been passed onto a whole new group of people, involved for the first time this year, and that they seem very willing to run with it.
We had a wonderful turnout to both performances, coverage on WBOY, and a couple of pictures in the Dominion Post. But was it even more exciting to me was the enthusiasm of the people involved. They were really excited about this thing.
It was thrilling for me to see how significantly we were outnumbered. While we had a strong showing with about 20 of our folks, there were far more from the other churches 34, for a combined total of 54. Here is a link you can go to see some pictures of the performance from the MET. The Torch is Passed
A couple of comments from folks that were particularly meaningful to me. When Pastor Drew, who played bass, asked the sound technician if the hall normally had a good sound, he replied, “Never as good as it did today.” Praise the Lord! We actually prayed for that. Go figure. I had a man come up to me in full patriotic garb who informed me that he and his wife had attended July 4th musical celebrations in Philadelphia and Washington and that ours rated right up there with anything they had ever seen. WOW! Thanks be to God. It was a talented group, but God was One who made the performance truly spectacular.
If you were not able to be involved this year I hope you will consider now your involvement next year. It promises to be even more exhilarating as more churches get involved and the awareness of the event grows within the community. The torch is passed.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
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