This upcoming Sunday, our great little congregation will celebrate its 4 year anniversary. A lot has happened over 4 years. When we planted this church in little ole' Fairfax, Oldest was all of 14. Soccer Chick was 7, Bball Girl was 4 and Youngest was 1. The "Youngest was 1" thing is the hardest to comprehend. I don't even remember him waddling around when we were trying to start a new church. Head buried in the sand, overwhelmed maybe?
On Sunday we will have a special celebration service. I'm looking forward to it. I heard from a little bird the message will be "The Impacting Church & Influencing Christian." With the grace of God, FCFC and us Christians will be recognized as both.
Over the past four years, we've seen families come in and join us and families leave us. We've had some great joyous times, laughter and friendship. We've had some sad times, as people move on to other places and faces, and as we journey through life with our members. Let me tell you church planting is not for the weak at heart. Its different than taking on a pastorate with an established congregation. That ain't easy either but church planting is a whole other animal. Building from the ground up is tough work. Don't take it unless God tells you to.
God told us to and although it is hard work and can be filled with disappointments, it is a joy. Its a joy to see people grow. Its a joy to meet new people. Its a joy to see people accept Christ for the first time in their lives. Like this past Sunday. The Hub delivered a great sermon on Memorial Day. A visitor gave her life to Christ at the end of the service. No matter if we have 10 people seated or 1,000 people seated, that one life made the service worth it.
Each individual life is what gives us fuel to continue. If FCFC makes a difference in the life of just one soul then we are accomplishing God's plan. FCFC continues to be a community church for all people to come get to know God better. We hope we are open and welcoming and giving people the encouragement they need to embrace a life with God and grow closer to Him. We don't take the burden lightly. As I reflect on the past four years I see God's hand working in every situation that we have been through. We know God is beside us and His presence is in our worship services. Thank God for what He is doing in our lives as we continue to grow and thank God for what He is doing in the lives of our church members. May FCFC's church family continue to expand and multiply and be known in the community as a great little ole' place with some really great people where folks can come and get some Jesus.
On a closing note, here's a Youngest quip for you. Here's what Youngest looks like after a long pool-filled, grandma-hanging-with weekend. Middle of the day, the TV was watching him.
That evening I told him that I saw a picture of him sleeping. Told him his lovely daddy had snapped a picture and sent it to me. "You were tired, huh buddy?" asked The Hub.
"Yea, dad. I didn't even know I was sleeping. I had no idea."
"Really buddy? You didn't tell yourself you were sleeping?"
"DAD! Really!?! That's crazy. How can my sleeping self tell my sleeping self that I am sleeping. Really!"
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