It was indeed a team effort!!
So many people over so many weeks praying, walking the entire community to distribute over 10,000 tracts and invitations, inviting, preparing facilities, and so much more. We had people at the church at 5:30 this morning, and our shuttles ready for people to ride before 7 am. Our children's department and check-in, children's church, and Easter Egg hunt all went perfectly, as well as 3 worship services back to back. So many volunteers I don't think they could all be counted.
I am incredibly grateful to be your pastor. Today was a great day. Final counts are not in, but there were close to 500 people present, over 100 kids, 4000 Easter eggs were given away, and 30+ people picked up a Bible or said they want to take the Next Step with God-- and many of them were first timers to our church.
Please share with us your thoughts on what the experience meant to you-- tell us stories fromf your area of service, or from visitors you met, or just how God used your involvement Easter Sunday in your life or somebody else's life.
As you respond, others will be able to see what you write. You are a blessing to Leann and me.
Bro Danny
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5 comments:
From Pat Emery: Witnessing all the volunteers working and stepping out of their comfort zone was a total joy today. Personally speaking to several new people who came because of the flyers was a total blessing. I feel very blessed to be a part of RHBC.
From Victoria: Behind me were guests texting during the service. In front of me were guests drinking coffee during the service. In an unusual way, I think this is awesome because I know these people aren't regulars and I am thrilled they felt welcome and comfortable enough to come to RHBC. Ours is truly a church with open arms.
We had many visiting children and to see the parents start off with hesitation about how things were laid out, then walking through, picking up children, and mingling like they "knew" where they were was an unbelievable thing to see. But I must say, my favorite part was when a young family came in at the end of 9:30 just for the easter egg hung, noticeably uncomfortable with their new surroundings, yet they decided to go ahead and place their 18 month old into the toddler class and attend the service instead of just walking around waiting for the next egg hunt to be ready. They were among the ones freely walking the halls.
A few things really blessed me. 1) Seeing the huge number of people working in so many functions was exciting. 2) I saw a LOT of people there (especially in the 11:00 service) that I had never seen before...that's good. God brought them in. 3) Being up front in the Praise Team and seeing people worship from my vantage point is REALLY a blessing. Watching that gets me pumped up. When I'm not blowing, I'm singing, but there were times when I'd get choked up, so my singing stunk. What an exciting time of worship!
Many of us were pumped up about the Easter service before we ever arrived at church. No matter how much I tried to do I could see others doing more. Truly RHBC membership stepped up to Brother Danny’s challenge.
Barbie and I moved the coffee ministry to the front porch early and the change seemed to stir up some excitement in addition to moving more fellowship outside.
The service was overwhelming; God people were waiting and God visited in a powerful way. The praise team provided a powerful atmosphere for the praise that was just waiting to be released from each of us.
Brother Danny’s message was perfect. He had me thinking of all the dots in Peter’s life. And the light that came on for Mary when Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" He spoke Mary’s name as no one else had ever done. And the light that came on for the two disciples when Jesus “took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him” They heard their Lord pray to His Father with an unmistakable intimacy. I was thinking of the light that came on when Thomas was invited to "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" And the light that comes on in my own life when He chooses to make Himself known at most unexpected times.
We left the service pumped and ready to drag people in the doors if need be. I left Barbie to do the work of keeping the coffee pumps full while I visited around in the in the parking lot. It was so exciting to see both familiar and unfamiliar faces approaching the church, knowing that they were in for a tremendous blessing they would never forget.
Thanks to all who were willing vessels in the Lord’s hands.
Barbie and Eddie Perkins
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