Success!

This past Sunday, Septemeber 7th, we began the new ministry year at Christ Community Church. For the first time, we began a comprehensive Sunday School Program (called the Connecting & Equipping Time). On Saturday Night, the 6th, we had what is called the Vision Banquet where we look forward with anticipation to the new ministries that are beginning. It is a time where Pastor Glass can share where the Lord seems to be leading both he and the elders. It was greatly attended and I even had to call upon people from my former churches to help out in the nursery. Caitlin Fosgate (formerly at CPC) and Joyce Abraham (at Hope PCA) answered that call and helped out. A special thanks to them!

Sunday Morning the "baby" (as Tennyson calls it) was born. There is always that concern that things won't go well or that they will somehow fall apart. You never know just how people will respond to rolling out of bed to bring their children to a 9AM program. Yet by all accounts things seemed to be a success!

For the first time children in 2nd to 5th grade stayed in the service. At first parents didn't know how well this would work, but the children seemed to rise to the occassion. There are actually reports that they listened to the sermon and remembered some of stories Pastor Glass told. I believe this worked so well, because Pastor Glass has the ability to preach messages that are "accessible" to most people, even young children.

One of the important things that happened from those children remaining in service was having a very full worship room. When the children k-5th used to leave the service in the middle, it left an empty feeling to the room. Having a full worship center provided a certain "energy" to the service.

Another positive result of the new program is that word had gotten out and quite a few new families visited. I heard that we tied a record for attendance on Sunday Morning and we are already beginning to think of how to make more space available for seating.

We had many good comments about the new 9AM program for the children. It is a highly interactive time of singing, games and learning that the kids seemed to genuinely enjoy. I received good reports from the new Middle School and High School classes as well.

At 11AM the 3's and 4's joined the K and 1st for a time of children's worship called "Praise City". In that time we have started learning common hymns and praise songs and even have introduced the children to an order of worship.

It isn't perfect. Things need a lot of tweaking and fine tuning, but for a first Sunday, things seemed to go well. Continue to pray for the new program and the children involved in it that there would be changes in the heart that comes by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.