On Sunday, our church had a celebration dinner and it was truly an amazing event. I have to say that I only visited 3 churches before we settled into a routine with Court Street Christian Church. The boys both fell in love with the church upon their first visit and kept us going back because of their enthusiasm. After spending almost 11 years at Yucaipa Christian Church I felt like nothing could replace the comfort level I had there.
On Sunday, the goal was simple..to celebrate what God did in the life of the church in 2009 and offer praise to Him. There was an amazing home cooked lasagna dinner and the sanctuary looked beautiful. One person was so excited that they donated all the food and there was around 300 people there. They had a party set up for the little ones with pizza, movies, and even a bounce or two set up. There was 3 people that shared their testimony on how the church has impacted them personally and it was incredibly powerful.
There was Bob, who at the age of 67 decided to give his life over to Jesus and thanked the church who prayed for him for years as his wife attended without him. There was Megan who gave an amazing account of what life looks like apart from God after walking away from the church in her young adult life. One day she realized that although she had a "good life" it wasn't the life God wanted for her. Then there was Russ. Russ showed real raw emotions as he shared about a very recent event in his life where he made some bad choices that also became public knowledge. He explained that the members of this church welcomed him when he returned to church when he thought they might "hold the doors shut" when they saw him coming. He said that two people hugged him and said they were glad he was here and that people would move across the room to welcome him and shake his hand. Basically they loved him when he didn't feel lovable.
It was a great evening and I walked away finally feeling at home with this church. I just felt without a doubt that it was a place I wanted to be and something I definitely want to be a part of.
That feels good.
1 comment:
Oh man I am blessed and teared up just reading how it blessed you. I love hearing how the body of Christ is loving on and ministering and forgiving one another. Thanks for sharing. :)
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