We are thankful for our husband and wife worship team of George and Sarah Strub. They led us with songs of praise, including “Hosanna,” “Beautiful One,” a lively favorite, “Everywhere I Go,” and ended with the Newsboys version of “Forever Reign.” They pointed us to Jesus, and the joy he is for us and in us.
Pastor Jerome’s message “The Discipline of Celebration” followed that theme. God is filled with the joy that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit share (Luke 3:21-22). Jesus wants us to share in their joy (John 17:5-8, 13, 20-24). In John 15:11, Jesus says about us: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
When joy overflows, you have a Celebration! We were created for life, the Life of God, filling us and spilling out in joyous celebration! In Genesis we are told that all that God created was GOOD, and is given to us to enjoy. Jesus came in our flesh, and he enjoyed a good celebration and the good things of his creation. His first miracle was turning water into fine wine so that a wedding party could continue! As he said, I came that they [us!] may have life, and have it abundantly!” (John 10:10)
We celebrated the abundant sharing of his life with our monthly Communion service, and followed that with the commissioning of our Love Venue Champion Rick Peterson, our Hope Venue Champion George Strub, and our Faith Venue Champion Sarah Strub. We then celebrated their commissioning with cake and punch, looking forward to how we can become an even greater and healthier expression of the body of Christ here in Big Sandy, celebrating and sharing him!
Jerome Ellard
Pastor, Grace Communion Big Sandy
