Yesterday was a glorious day out at Chalco Hills Park where Faith Bible Church enjoyed its annual outdoor worship service and picnic. (This is in addition to our monthly get-together meals after church.) It was very cool for August but absolutely perfect for an event of this kind. We sang a few songs, prayed together and I preached a short sermon on Isaiah 9:1-7, accompanied with a testimony on what this passage taught me when I was away from friends and family (I was ministering in Poland) when the horrors of 9-11 shocked the world.It was a very moving service.
And then came the lighter moments of the day: spirited conversations, a terrific pot-luck lunch, fishing, a football game, horseshoes...and more conversations. It was a lovely day.
Ours is a little church but nearly everyone came. And that meant driving from clear across town (and beyond) to make the scene, making our group of 60 pretty impressive.
We really love being involved with Faith Bible Church and we're looking forward to growing and serving together in the years to come. It's a church whose model we appreciate so much: a "tentmaker" pastor/teacher who helps other "tentmaker" leaders equip the body for the work of the ministry. This leaves funds free for ministry even as it hastens individual growth in Christ and produces practical, worshipful service to others.
Church isn't all picnics. But having them now and again is a very good thing.
