One of the most important things about our home is our faith. One of the ways that faith manifests itself is through involvement in a local church. But sometimes there's a disconnect between what we want home to be and what home really is.
I remember one year, back when our kids were small, when we didn't have a church family at all. We worshipped together at home, just the five of us. We were homeschooling at the time, and for a year we were also "home churching." It wasn't the best of circumstances--not something I'd recommend--but God was very kind to us that year as we did our best to honor Him.
For awhile, last year was a tough time, too. We were part of a small group of friends who wanted to start a new church, but it was a rough road at the beginning. Eastertime last year was particularly hard. We had a sweet sunrise service at a local conference center, but Easter Sunday seems to call forth a longing for a special service, with lots of people celebrating together.
Fast forward to this year. Our little church plant is putting down some roots. We're meeting in the gym of an elementary school, so we're not very fancy. But Easter Sunday--oh! What a glorious time we had together! No matter that we were housed within cinder block walls, with basketball hoops overhead. We were celebrating together, and there were nearly 200 of us. I got to decorate the altar table:
See? My homemade Easter candles got used one more time.
One of my sons read the morning's scripture. Another of my sons helped to hide eggs for the preschoolers. My husband baked a ham for the fellowship meal. And just look at this adorable cake baked by one of our friends:
When you start a new church, it's all-hands-on-deck. You all work together or things don't get done. But you can be sure that God will bless even the most feeble efforts to serve and praise Him. I'm grateful that our family has this chance to be part of this, for that spirit of serving together definitely says "home" to me.
Visit Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer and read about other wonderful Easter memories!
I'm sure God will continue to grow your church. It looks like Easter was a very special day. Your candles looked great on the altar and the little lamb cake your friend made was adorable. Carla
ReplyDelete"When you start a new church, it's all-hands-on-deck. You all work together or things don't get done. But you can be sure that God will bless even the most feeble efforts to serve and praise Him."--As a pastor's wife, I can tell you that all churches would be serving Him better, if they were serving with this attitude. Thanks for sharing your heart, Richella.
ReplyDeleteThat cake brought back some memories!! My daughter's grandparents had a cake like that at every Easter!! Haven't seen one since!! We attended a home church service this year also! Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteHi Richella! I appreciate this post because we've been a start of a new church, and I also have a friend who's in beginning stages of a new church. I love the candles, and I must say the cake is just too adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support and for linking to RE today!
What a wonderful day. God will continue to bless you with this church plant. Thank you for sharing today.
ReplyDeleteThat cake is just too cute!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to celebrate growth, too, on Easter Sunday!
ReplyDeleteRichella, this was a lovely post. We had our very first Easter with our new church plant last week. We are just about 30 weeks in, so we are definitely in the baby stages! We meet in a junior high so we aren't very fancy either, but I so enjoy putting out all the candles and things that transform that school into a place to worship. Church planting is a long, difficult road but the sweetness of that family, togetherness and spiritual growth is what we pray for!
ReplyDeleteOur church family is the BIGGEST reason we moved to this area. Without them, we would never be able to survive the upheavals of our last 10 years. They are our family in the truest sense of the word!
ReplyDeleteThank so much for your sweet comments on my blog!
From one Boymom to another...I look forward to seeing of your blog!
What a beautiful post! A church is a family...a HOME...most definitely!! So glad that you had such a lovely service and time of fellowship together :)!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Stacey
it is fun to plant a church... our process has been amazing as we jumped on the bandwagon with some others... five years ago. and we are still worshipping in a middle school cafeteria, with a bulldog mascot hanging above the stage. but... we are almost ready to build. i am excited... but i think i am gonna miss that dog. or at least that family feeling as everyone pulls together to get a job done. hang in there. it is gonna be GREAT!
ReplyDelete(my friend has that lamb pan and i wanted to use it this year... but time got away from me!)
Wonderful Richella! The cake is adorable and the candles were a special and heartfelt touch.
ReplyDeleteI hope you try the salmon recipe. It's really delish!
Have a blessed day sweet friend.
~Melissa :)
Wow..that cake! How blessed your church is to have you! I thought of you and your sons when Duke won! :)
ReplyDeleteRichella,
ReplyDeleteYou are just so precious!
I love hearing about your wonderful church and how God is blessing it. I love your candles and that sweet little cake. It reminded me of something my mom would make. (yes, she decorated cakes too!)
What a wonderful Easter it must have been to see your whole family at work for His kingdom.
Bless you, dear friend!
Traci
Looks like you had a wonderful Easter!! What wonderfel memories you all made as a family. So thankful He's alive!!
ReplyDeleteBTW do I remember that song, He lives...I've sang it so many times I could hardly count and I love it!
Thanks for your sweet comment. I sure wish you, Traci and I could get together, we'd have too much fun!
That is THE cutest cake, and I love how your family got involved. :) One of these days I'm going to join Sandy's party. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear everything is going well and you had a great celebration. I'm so impressed with your candles, I've never tried to make something like that before.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day,
Jade