Sunday, July 13, 2008

Sunday Flashback


Long day today!

After two worship gatherings this AM I taught our Discovering Nags Head Church class, the first of 5 classes designed to help believers discover and apply the five purposes of our church. It's the intro class to our church, and is taken by new people to our church, answering their questions before they take the plunge into a committed partnership with us. I always enjoy teaching it and getting to know those God is bringing our way.

This morning I spoke about having "patient endurance" (2 Peter 1:6) and used Peter's own stories of his own impatience and at the same time Jesus' tremendous patience with him. It hit home with most of us; after all, how many of us don't struggle with patience and the trials that help us endure?

Today was a picture perfect day weatherwise. Maybe that explains why our attendance didn't come near to last Sunday when it was rainy and gray! "Let's see, do we go to church on our vacation or hit the beach while the sky is blue and the surf is up?" And it seemed like the "energy" was off a bit. Who knows?

It is so fantastic to watch folks hang out after a gathering and linger just to spend time together. One of our guests was talking with me in the lobby and made mention of that. When people genuinely love one another they love to do just that - love one another. Of course coffee and donuts don't discourage that fellowship, either!

Sam and Buddy gave a great testimony in both gatherings about their accountability relationship. I talked about that two weeks ago and their story was a great follow up. Iron sharpens iron.

A Josh Groban song? Hey, it worked well with the message. Good job from the band on all the songs. Those guys really are good. It's hard to remember what it was like at NHC when our musical talent was nearly non-existent. God has really blessed us.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rick on the guitar and Gail at the piano was pretty good if you ask me!

CJolly said...

Remember the old gentleman who played the saw? That was some talent!

Another great message yesterday, Rick. You have to know that one touched a lot of people. But all your messages do, don't they?...

I don't think I'm going too far out on a limb in speaking for the band by saying we appreciate all the kind words that you, and others say about us. I know we are all grateful to God for the gift of music, and feel especially blessed to be able to do what we do each week. Thanks!