“So
fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your
ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt.
Serve the Lord alone.
But
if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would
you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be
the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my
family, we will serve the Lord.”
We
have passed this church a number of times and have looked forward to worshiping
here. It is a great setting on top of a hill, a beacon to the community.
We
came in just as the service was starting, along with quite a few other folks.
This seems to be common with contemporary worship services. Once we were inside
I had no way of knowing that I had passed the restrooms as they were
immediately inside the entrance. There was directional signage indicating other
areas, but it took a while to locate the men’s room. I noticed that even though
the restroom seemed modern, neither had changing tables.
My
grandchildren were trying to be louder than the congregation so we went to the
nursery. While I was disappointed that I couldn’t hear the sermon there, I did
have a delightful visit with the staff and children. I look forward to
listening to the sermon online and perhaps getting to learn the purpose of the
exercise equipment on the chancel.
They
had my kind of cross with large spikes that spoke volumes sitting silently
there off to one side.
This
church sits on top of a hill reached via a winding driveway. I wished we’d had
time to look around at the view because it’s probably stunning.
The
service was just beginning when we arrived with our grandtwins and their
parents. We sang the opening songs, but the kids became fussy so we took them
to the nursery. The ladies there were very welcoming and showed no hesitation
whatsoever at having two more one-year-olds join them. I returned to the
Sanctuary, but the pull was too strong for Bob and he stayed with the little
ones.
The
Sanctuary is light and pleasant with comfortable chairs. This is the first time
I’ve seen a projection screen mounted and framed, and I thought it looked
marvelous. There was a beautiful, rough-hewn cross in front standing (at a
guess) maybe 6 feet high.
The
music was terrific: energetic and well done. It made me realize again how much
music can contribute to a worship experience.
As
soon as the opening songs ended, the service began with “Cinderella” by Steven
Curtis Chapman. Each portion of the song was enacted by an appropriate-aged
girl and a man portraying her father. At the very end an older couple danced a
few steps together, representing the couple who married. It was very well done
and quite touching, and I noticed that mine were not the only damp eyes.
Following
this was a clip from the movie “Courageous.” If you have not seen this movie,
it’s from the same people who did the movie “Fireproof,” but the major
characters are police officers (except for the one man who is their friend). I recommend
the movie highly – both my thumbs are way up for this one – and it’s perfect
for Father’s Day as it’s a call to men to be the spiritual leaders of their
households and to follow Biblical standards in their personal lives and in
their influence of others. The pastor used clips from the movie throughout his
message.
The
message, entitled “A Stronger Man,” focused on encouraging the men in the
congregation to 1 – accept personal responsibility, 2 – guard the value of
relationships, and 3 – live out the Resolution (which was based on the
Resolution in the movie “Courageous”).
The
pastor was open about some of the struggles he faced being raised by a single
mom. He declared the Enemy meant it for ill, but God meant it for good and thus
God has brought much good from his battles. Hearing him preach with such passion,
in my opinion, God continues to use him. He spoke of the men who are currently
fathers “fathering a generation,” and “turning to God as the Father to the
fatherless.”
He
included the women in the congregation as well, reminding them that they are
helpers to the men and giving the women the opportunity to stand up and be
proud of the men. He closed by giving the men the chance to come forward and
sign a copy of the Resolution, sealing the deal.
It
was an emotional time, and something I have not had the privilege of witnessing
in a church in a good while. It was vulnerable passion for a God-given role
that can influence others for generations to come. As I sat there I knew that
this is a church that understands brokenness, and I sensed the strength that
comes as a result. I believe that is something only God can create – strength in
the broken places.
Today’s
worship was a blessing, and I thank God for leading us here today.
Father, we pray that You will indeed use
this church on the hill as a beacon to the surrounding community. We believe
You honor a church that teaches the values found in the movie “Courageous,” and
we pray for the men of this church as they step up to the challenge to be the
men and leaders You have called them to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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