Every team wins
Who'da believed it? The Spartans, the Wolverines, the Tigers and even the Lions won...all on one weekend! And at First Church it was just about as big a day. We welcomed back families who had been gone for the summer and new first-time visitors. At 11:00 we kicked off a new Sunday School option for children called "Soar" and we launched "Shine" our new contemporary worship service in the CLC. At 9:30 the Sunday School classes were all back in place and Youth Cafe was at it's best. We welcomed back the Chancel Choir after their summer break with a set of rousing anthems and the United Methodist Women shared their fall luncheon. The Circuit Rider Book Store was busy, the fellowship hall was full and the new adult classes drew participants at 9:30 and 11:00am. And all of this, of course, depended on dozens of volunteer greeters, teachers, musicians, ushers, and cooks. What a day...it felt like every team hit a home run, every team won!
And in the process we celebrated the approval of the South Wing Renovation and the overwhelming response to the appeal for emergency food for Cass Community Services--over 160 bags and boxes of food in just four weeks. You see this church understands that worship and nurture must go hand in hand with mission and service. This congregation understands that ministry to children and youth is just as important as care for the elderly and the needy. This congregation is committed to offering both excellent traditional worship and energizing contemporary worship. This congregation knows that our life together begins in worship, but must also include feeding ourselves and feeding others ("Worship Plus 2"). This congregation knows that maintaining and renovating our facilities here is just as important as building a children's home in Costa Rica or a seminary in Estonia. Each team is important and every team wins.
If you weren't here this Sunday, I encourage you to be here next Sunday and every Sunday as we seek to "gather, nurture and equip disciples for mission and ministry." That's who we are. That's what we do. And when we do, every team wins.
Worship:
8:15, 9:30 and 11:00: Traditional worship in the sanctuary
11:00: "Shine", new contemporary worship in the CLC
Christian Education:
9:30: Full Sunday School for children, "Youth Cafe" for 6th-12th graders
11:00: "Soar", a new alternative program for children
9:30 & 11:00: New adult classes on various topics
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