Hi Y'all!
Praise our loving Lord Jesus Christ!
Today we helped set up and take down Cordero School for the worship time at Hamilton Grace in Jersey City -- a new congregation started by Hoboken Grace. The worship time was God-focused, very similar to our Edge Service. Jean Carlos preached on John 6:44, emphasizing that God is always pursuing us.
They block off the rear portion of the auditorium with curtains and have a welcome/meet and greet area there complete with a good spread of breakfast foods: fruits, juice, bagels, donuts, etc. They also have coffee set up in the hall. There are several rooms across the hall for graded children's programs and an area for parents with little children, equipped with a large screen video feed of the service.
They do the Lord's supper differently than we do. They place juice and pita bread on four high-top tables adjacent to the two aisles. Early in the service, they tell the folks that Jesuswants to have a relationship with them and that, if they feel led, they should simply get up anytime during the service and commune with Him. Many did throughout the service.
Something else impressed me. The worship leader (Justin, our host) led a prayer time. He prayed a simple prayer and then instructed us to talk silently with God -- again emphasizing the reality of having a relationship with our Father. Then he shut up for about four minutes and actually gave us time to talk with God.
As I am writing this, Ryan, Roger, Ashton and John are at the office where we worked Friday organizing the storage space with our host, Nancy, who is a professional organizer. I stayed at the apartment to write this because my sore arm has rendered me useless for any kind of physical activity. Except for taking pictures (see below) and carrying a few small items, I wasn't much help this morning. Prayers much appreciated.
God was at work this morning -- at least in me. Even before the worship time began, He was overwhelming me with His prenense, goodness and love. I wept. I also saw people praying together spontaneously. It is obvious to me that these folks really do love and care for each other and want our Father to work through them in each others' lives. Glory to His Name!
Keep praying that God will use us for His glory. I am struck by the humble, servant attitude of Ashton, John, Roger and Ryan.
I love you. God bless you.
Fred