Well, Sunday is the big day that Grace House and the ARK will meet together to soar into the future together. In the natural this is something seldom seen….two growing churches deciding to do Kingdom together. I sincerely believe this to be the Lord leading us forward. I will share more about the reasons on Sunday. I know any change in the areas of our lives we rely upon for safety, security, and well being can be challenging.
As your pastor, let me assure you of a few things as we move ahead:
First, each of us is a part of what is happening. Each member of Grace House is valuable and important and you will be needed more than ever. Why? Because Father knows what all of us need, and in part, it's each other. This coming together will result in a lot of giving and receiving. Be sensitive to all the new people you will begin to see hanging around. Especially on Wednesdays we will have the opportunity to connect more as congregations. The ARK has lots of younger people and younger couples. We have more, how do I say it, ah…."Seasoned" people. Seriously, you have something to share and impart that is valuable. Sometimes, it may be a hug or smile, or an encouraging word. But the relationships that will develop will be used by God to impact lives and build a beautiful picture for our city to see. Please be willing and ready and take the initiative to spread God's love. This is the most powerful thing we can do. Do you remember a time in your life when an older person s poke life to you and it meant a lot? Most of us have had these defining moments.
Secondly, we are still Grace House. Remember we only had one service a week till a few months ago. We will still have that special time together on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. for our Grace House service. I do believe we will see some of our ARK family dropping in on some of our Sunday morning services too. Just don't want you to feel like things are completely changing. View it as God adding to our lives instead of taking something from us.
Thirdly, the Polaroids have not completely developed yet. In other words, none of us can see just how everything will fit together yet. So, let's be flexible and realize that God will grace us all to adjust. Let's be pliable in His hands and He will do a good job of making this what He desires it to be. God is at work in all of this to move all of us forward in developing a Christ honoring supernatural culture where God's presence is tangibly present in our city and region through the family of God. Family is God's idea.
Fourthly, the special combined service this Sunday will be powerful as we come together. I imagine it will be pretty packed. This special service will most likely be a little louder than normal. Like some of our team did in Trinidad recently, you may want to get earplugs/cotton balls to help cut the volume a bit. We will do what we can about this, but just realize this younger crowd is used to a little more "sound" than we normally have. Ready yourself for a great time and a lot of energy, praise, dancing, and an awesome time in the Lord.
Lastly, this Sunday you will have two different ways you can give your offering to Grace House. You can do as you always do and use our boxes on the wall or you may bring it forward to baskets we will have at the altar during the time we ask you to do so. Either way will be fine. Both we and the ARK will have designated containers for this.
Please know you are loved. I really appreciate the spirit you have all demonstrated in this big step of faith. Our family is growing! I really hope to see each of you there Sunday. This will be one of those days that marks our history and you do not need to miss it. I love you all dearly.
Blessings,
Pastor Eddie
