Yesterday was the first Sunday of December and the decorations at FBC were beautiful. The festive lights and flowers add to the celebration each year and I appreciate those who make it happen.
I wrapped up the sermon series on following Jesus by sharing more stories from the lives of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom. I’ve received a lot of positive feedback about the series, including from several teenagers. It is always encouraging to hear people talk about what God is doing in their lives and yesterday one Brother in Christ who has been through some significant challenges and struggled at times spiritually told me he is now the prodigal son – after the son had returned home. Amen! God will see us through anything and He always welcomes us back home when we come to our senses.
At the end of the 9:10 service I presented on behalf of the church a plaque to Don McGinnis, whom we had elected as an honorary life deacon. If FBC had a hall of fame for faithful service over decades, Don would be a charter member.
The choir and orchestra presented their annual Christmas program last night and the music was beautiful. During one very simple scene Roman soldiers transformed the place Jesus was born into a cross – it was moving. The congregation was encouraged to pray and “be with Jesus” during one song and I noticed a lot of people praying, with a few of them wiping away tears.
Following the two choir presentations last night I was able to speak with a few prospects, including two families who had recently moved to Rock Hill. Pray that the Holy Spirit draws them to FBC.
Something I really enjoyed yesterday was getting to see and speak with several college students who had returned home for Christmas break. I miss those guys when they grow up and go away to college.
Monieca and I got our first Christmas cards from the RA World Missions Post Office yesterday. One of them included a gift card – so that was extra nice. The RA Post Office is a way for members to give Christmas cards to other members without using the US Postal Service. There is a mail box in the lobby, near the church kitchen. Simply drop your cards in it and put 25 cents (or more) with it. The money goes to our world missions offering. Then check the alphabetical boxes beside the mail box to see if you have any cards to pick up. Cards are sorted by last names. Monieca and I had four cards yesterday, so check it out and support missions at the same time.
Monieca and I also enjoyed sharing lunch with Elaine Dates yesterday. She is a relatively new member whose late husband was a minister. She has been co-teaching a women’s class on Wednesday nights with Monieca. While eating at the City Club, we bumped into several FBC members from one of our senior adult Sunday School classes. They had scheduled a Christmas lunch there and seemed to have really enjoyed themselves. Since their class meets at 8:00 am they had beaten everyone to the buffet.
I was able to hang out on the third floor for a few minutes yesterday morning between services. That was fun. The hallway was crowded, but I’d rather have that than empty hallways. Praise God.
Check out the photographs below from yesterday. Take a moment and share in the comment section what you enjoyed about yesterday or some way in which you were blessed.
Pastor Steve Hogg
Leave a Reply