Honestly, it's a little hard to know what to say, even after thinking/reflecting on it for over a week. So I'll answer the questions I've gotten most in the past 7 days: how was it? What did you do? And how do you feel about it? Then, since a picture tells a thousand words, I'll post a few favorite pics from the 100+ taken by our good friend Tina Howard [who also wrote a great "first-timer" take on The City Church here], and below that is a link to the rest of her pics, and the sermon video. It's a pleasure to get to reflect on a great night - I hope the words and images give you a small glimpse of how it went!
In a small sense, it was a celebration of six+ months of prayer, fasting, work, and foundation-laying; it appropriately felt like the start of something new. But in a much larger sense, it was a celebration of God: of who he is; of his word; of Christ's death and resurrection for us; and of his work in our lives. In this sense, it was far less 'something new' and much more of a logical next step in what we've already been doing.
For curious onlookers, we started by explaining that "this event is not the church" - that WE, as God's people, are the church, and this is simply a coming together OF the church for celebration. We prayed. We sang and recited Psalm 50 together. We walked through Revelation 2:1-7 together, talking about our only true "first love" and some of the "lesser loves" that take the place of the gospel. Kids ages 0-2 learned that God Is Good, while 3- & 4-year-olds learned that God Made Everything.
Then we sent parents to get kids, and enjoyed the part of the night that was the most meaningful for many folks: we took communion together, as families and Villages surrounded the tables to serve each other bread and juice or wine, to prayed for each other, and to remember the gospel together. We gave. We sang a couple more songs. Then we prayed and went home or to dinner together.
For me, it was an incredible night - if I'm honest, I was a bit distracted by self-centered logistical concerns [which I frustrate myself with and need to trust God in; I know!], but past that, it was truly a joy to see a half-full theater full of folks - some of whom have been with us through the fall; some of whom joined us for the first time Sunday - growing in our understanding and love of God, and realizing the mission and ministry the gospel calls us to. It was a huge display of community to see so many folks chip in to "load in" the KidCity and A/V equipment. It was merciful that the last set-up item fell into place 15 minutes before "go time." It was wonderful to see responses; to know the presence of the Lord; to start our church talking about the Gospel. It was a good night.
Here are a few pics to help paint even a better picture of it [click to enlarge]:
See all of Tina's great photos on flickr here.
Finally, click the pic below for a video of our first sermon, as we jumped into "The Gospel-Centered Life":
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