On a much more joyous note, on Sunday we had our first service in our official capacity as the occupants of the newly-acquired and first permanent building for our church, Genesis, in the Church on Main formerly known as the First Baptist Church of Royal Oak! (Pictured is the new sign, the Olive Branch is the still-affiliated daycare that is run in out of one section of the expansive 40,000 sq ft facility.) The short version of the backstory is that we have been a portable church since the beginning and after the pastors cultivated some relationships that seemed to be coincidental (we know now better!) we are now proudly stationed in Royal Oak just north of downtown on Main St in a beautiful brick building - and, yes, it actually has a steeple that you can see from a distance as you approach Royal Oak.
The Barton & I served as greeters at one of the entrances and got to welcome many of the attendees, which included a mix of friends new & old and several folks who joined us from the former First Baptist congregation that we have yet to meet formally. When we arrived early to pray with the rest of the greeters, worship team and pastoral staff, the energy in the place was palpable. I personally shed a tear on more than one occasion that day (and got an unsolicited tissue handed to me by our pastor's wife, thanks Carmel :)! So on top of the usual promise that a new year brings, I'm hopeful that we can capitalize on that energy and all take up the challenges ahead that will come with caring for a new building and continuing to nurture our church body.
Thank you, thank you to our God, my faithful Father, your faithfulness never ceases to amaze and humble me...
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