How does a church community celebrate 80 years of God’s faithfulness?  And how does a community of believers prepare to be used by God in the years to come? 

Those two questions were very real as Carole and I, joined many others Sunday evening for the Celebration Service.  The evening really was a celebration event, one marked with numerous examples to support God’s faithfulness to this local church over 80 years.  The entire evening was about giving God honour and worth.  Through songs of praise and worship, through testimonies of former pastors, families, and youth, and even through pictures of years past highlighting the lives impacted as a result of God’s faithfulness, God remained central.   This was a community giving thanks to God for all He had done!  It was fantastic!  

Acknowledging God’s faithfulness in the Celebration Service sets the stage well for all that God is yet to do in the years to come.  This is a foundation in which God can continue to build, to open hearts, and to ultimately, change lives.  This is a foundation that allows God to grow His people in ways that give the local church hope and a future.  Upon this foundation, one can only imagine all that God would hope to see realized in this community.  The future is ripe when God’s people begin with a posture of gratitude and an openness to follow His leading.  

For Carole and I, Sunday evening was very special.  We were overwhelmed by the numerous greetings and words of welcome and encouragement.  We’re excited to embrace this church as our home location, and we eagerly look forward to joining hands with our fellow Christ followers as we strive to give God our best in order to be the church God calls us to be.  Above all, we thank our friends in Vineland for reminding us once again how God is always constant and always faithful.  This gives us great hope for the future! We count it a blessing to partner with this community in being Christ to others.  May God find us faithful!