Launch – 2.0!
Yes, we have an official date. After lots of really hard work by very faithful servants, we are having our first public worship service on Sunday, June 11th at 9:30am. Words can barely contain the excitement, nervousness, joy, and anticipation of this event!
I wanted to share a few observations along with that…
- Our community has a special place in their hearts for the church…and most of the time that looks like a church building. Meeting in a school is all well and good, and God has blessed it over the last 1yr+, but meeting in a church building…one that looks like an actual church, has a special place in most people’s hearts. There is a significant buzz of excitement around Vernon for the work that we are doing and using an old church for good. We are expecting an increase in numbers, pray that they are confronted and gripped by the truth of the gospel!
- Our church is very generous. Both campuses are VERY generous! From the money that has come in to cover capital expenses and improvements to the hours spent by people building a stage and fixtures, painting, cleaning, pulling carpet, digging out weeds, to the team leaders working behind the scenes to get the Kingdom Kids, Tech, Coffee, Parking, all ready for prime time – generous people have sacrificially given until it hurt.
- Our people are amazing. Yes, closely related to the above, but the people of God’s church are amazing. I’m reminded of Ephesians 1:18 where Paul speaks of the “riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” I have experienced this in spades and several times welled up in tears when considering how overwhelmingly blessed I am to pastor these amazing people.
- Our God is on the move. God promised us that He will build His church, and not even the gates of Hell will stand against it. Over the recent months, we have seen God’s hand clearly and powerfully paving the way for His church in Vernon. We see us having influence in social circles that are a bit out of our comfort zone and are continually being stretched in our faith. As I’ve said many times “We are just along for the ride.”
I am up to 1 Chronicles in my yearly read and I found it funny that Israel is making preparations to move into their permanent building – the temple. David encourages his son before he died saying – “Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”
(1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV)
Thank you all. May God’s grace in Jesus continue to abound as we boldly proclaim the word of life.
PS: Our new location is the former St. Thomas Episcopal Church 307 NJ-94, Vernon Township, NJ 07462 (across from the Highlands State Bank)
