Moving Toward A New Communion Of Saints To Join.
Last Sunday, Tricia and I headed southwest to check out for the second time, a church called Valley Community Church in Granby, Connecticut. Sad to say, we have been not attending or belonging to a church for a number of months. It wasn't that the prior church in Springfield didn't preach the Gospel, or have a mediocre Worship Team, or small groups to join, or was stubbornly legalistic in its stance on law and grace. It's just that we never really felt that God wanted us there for the long haul. Sure, the church was very close to where we live. Yes, we knew folks there, taught a class on spiritual formation, and even launched the Prayer Team and led it for a time, then handed it over. No matter how we tried to fit in, we didn't feel a fit. It's not that people ignored or were unkind to us. But as time went on it we just could see this church as out church for there rest of our lives.
As I alluded to above, we attended a service there for the first time. We headed into the sanctuary and soon after the service began. It started with the Worship Band leading us into a few songs. It was well done and the congregation seemed fully engaged. After a few songs, Pastor Clarke Pfaff worked through his sermon "Half-Hearted Followers". He clearly explicates his message in a way that can be grasped and understood by congregation. You can listen to them through podcasts on the website.
We will attend the services for awhile before we make up our mind. I need to say though that the sanctuary is like a movie theater. I'm not sure why they decided it to be that way. Perhaps it was so that we would not be distracted by others to keep the lights off where we are sitting. The large stage in front is well-illuminated and you can see the singers and the Worship Band (except the drummer in a drum cage). At the end of the Worship Tricia and I went up to connect with Clarke and say hello to Cynthia, his wife. From there we went to the parking lot and headed back to Springfield.
We decided we will keep going until we make a decision. Although it's a bit far to travel, we think it's worth it. We aren't going anywhere else, so perhaps the Holy Spirit is guiding us there. Part of the decision will be determined by the opportunity to buy or rent to buy in Connecticut. It's a big jump to make, but if the LORD is summoning there we best go. Other logistics will fall in place if we are doing God's bidding.
As I alluded to above, we attended a service there for the first time. We headed into the sanctuary and soon after the service began. It started with the Worship Band leading us into a few songs. It was well done and the congregation seemed fully engaged. After a few songs, Pastor Clarke Pfaff worked through his sermon "Half-Hearted Followers". He clearly explicates his message in a way that can be grasped and understood by congregation. You can listen to them through podcasts on the website.
We will attend the services for awhile before we make up our mind. I need to say though that the sanctuary is like a movie theater. I'm not sure why they decided it to be that way. Perhaps it was so that we would not be distracted by others to keep the lights off where we are sitting. The large stage in front is well-illuminated and you can see the singers and the Worship Band (except the drummer in a drum cage). At the end of the Worship Tricia and I went up to connect with Clarke and say hello to Cynthia, his wife. From there we went to the parking lot and headed back to Springfield.
We decided we will keep going until we make a decision. Although it's a bit far to travel, we think it's worth it. We aren't going anywhere else, so perhaps the Holy Spirit is guiding us there. Part of the decision will be determined by the opportunity to buy or rent to buy in Connecticut. It's a big jump to make, but if the LORD is summoning there we best go. Other logistics will fall in place if we are doing God's bidding.
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