Our first preview service!

It seems like it took several years to lead up to the big day- the first preview service for Mercy Hill Presbyterian Church. We have been praying, moving, talking about, laboring for, and anticipating this event for so long and finally it all came together.

The service was beautiful and simple. We kept things simple so there were less things to mess up!! Phil and Scott picked a venue that was accessible, modern, and had good acoustics. Our friend Keith came all the way from PA to help with the music. Shelly did an awesome job preparing the nursery. Best of all... we had 64 people in attendance. Neighbors and friends came to be a part of the first ever service of a new church.

Phil preached a great sermon on the many misconceptions that we have about Jesus and presented to us the true Jesus as the Scriptures tell about Him.

I think for some of us on the launch team, the reason for the service was just to have something tangible to see and experience. It is easier for us to tell our friends about our new church if we have actually seen it! Up until now, we have had to practice Hebrews 11:1... "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Though we finally had an "event," we were reminded that the church itself is more than an event. It is people living together as the church in their communities sharing Christ's love in their homes and with their neighbors. It is the people of God noticing and understanding the needs of the world around them and interjecting the Gospel truth that Christ died for sinners and rose again so that we might have a face to face relationship with the living God who loves us.

The hard work is still ahead of us, but we were greatly encouraged by how things went. There are so many folks out there that are hurting, wondering, and questioning. I can't wait to hear their stories and share with them the great story of redemption through faith in Jesus.