Greetings everyone! The first worship experience beyond our former church took place in our home this morning. Mary Kay and I are greatly encouraged by the support we enjoyed this morning from the friends who joined us. As church services go, in many respects, it was similar to what would be experienced in the larger setting. We sang four songs together (thank God for an iPod and the JBL On Stage speaker), prayed together, opened God's Word together, and then shared communion together.
In another sense it was completely different. There were nineteen adults present this morning and we could all sit comfortably together in our living room. For the most part we were seated in a circle, facing one another. When we finished singing, we asked for prayer for Mary Kay and me and for our future: how would God like us to serve him? Others chimed in with their own prayer requests and praises. I had in mind just one other person leading us in prayer, but several added on with their own spoken prayers. It was quite intimate.
Then I shared a message titled, "Transitions." Using my own Transition lens' glasses as an example, I noted how my glasses quickly change when I walk out into the sunlight. But they are slow to change, when I walk back indoors. In the same way, we are quick to accept change when we walk into the good transitions in life. But we are slow to accept the negative transitions. Using chapter 12 of seven different Old Testament books, we examined that God always transitions His people. The Bible is replete with transitions. And in these transitions, God is always working. 1 Kings 12:15 tells us that, "the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the LORD that he might fulfill his word." What might God be doing in the turn of affairs we each face during the transitional times of our lives?
After this message, we brought out a communion tray with bread in the center. I broke the bread and instructed those who were with us about taking communion. Then when each was ready, each one broke off a piece of bread and took a communion cup. Christ was truly at the center of our gathering this morning. It was comforting and affirming.
Afterward, Mary Kay served up chili and almost everyone had brought food to share with others. Most stayed to eat and fellowship. As I said at the beginning, Mary Kay and I are encouraged. We have received many written messages of support, and we appreciate them all. Just last night someone wrote us a long message that ended with this:
This morning the kind words were expressed aloud, accompanied by hugs and enveloped in joy. We don't know the sum of all the steps we must take from here. However, we are strengthened enough by today to take the next step - and that is enough. We will trust God, in faith, for any steps beyond that. I'll talk with you later, Mark
