How was your Sunday? Mine was absolutely AMAZING, and that’s just what I’ve needed. Lately, I’ve really been missing my church family and the actual act of going to church to fellowship and worship. But after today I'm feeling much more on track!
I decided to attend the Baptist church that is right around the corner from my apartment this morning for their worship service. I got there a little early and was greeted by a children’s Sunday School class who was doing an activity in front of the church. The teacher of the class welcomed me and told me to walk in and join the adult class that was meeting in the sanctuary, so I did. I felt a little awkward walking into the class since there was only about 10 minutes left of Sunday School, but I immediately felt at home and realized that the teacher and class had the same
beliefs that I do.
Before the service began I met a man named Roberto who is a high school teacher and actually went to teacher college with the principal of Hummingbird. Once again, I discovered that everyone knows everyone in Belize! He was really nice and very welcoming towards me. The service began with each class telling the congregation of about 40 people what they learned this morning. There was a preschool class, elementary class, teen class, and the adult class. After this I found out that Roberto was in fact the pastor of the church as he stood to welcome everyone. Part of his welcome involved introducing me to the congregation… it was really sweet! The music service included some familiar songs lead by a song leader and played on a guitar, drums, keyboard, and tambourine. We sang “Here I am to worship”, “Jesus, lover of my soul”, “My all in all”, and my favorite “We bring the sacrifice of praise”. I really felt like I was back home singing in the choir during that song and it was really special to me since that song is one of my favorites.
The preaching was great too as Roberto preached about withstanding persecution and standing up for Jesus in any situation. He reminded me of Doug in a lot of ways, which makes me miss my church family! I cannot wait to have service in the new church when I get home in May!
Hope everyone had as blessed a Sunday as I did! I’m ready to take on this week now! : )
This is the church. It's really sweet inside. There are probably 8 benches with a center aisle and small stand in the front for the preacher and song leader. It also has 2 classrooms and a loft in the sanctuary area.
Rachel and I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting by the pool; Jessica is still feeling sick : ( . It was the perfect Sunday!
Do you remember our choir practice talk about "the sacrifice of praise" and how it took the song to really sink in to me that praise is indeed a sacrifice? You share Aunt Deb's opinion of that song. I'm glad there is such a sweet place so close by. At this point in the game, I just hope we are having service in the new building in May!!! The rain won't stop and we can't get in. It is looking great. They are hanging chandeliers today and the windows are going in soon. We are going to Portland in two weeks. YEA!
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a sweet service! Mom was telling me that y'all were saying something at choir practice this week how the building is going slowly because I'm not there... I'd like to think I had that much pull in the situation and told Mom that we should probably just plan on having the first service in the new church on May 2nd. That would be perfect! I'm sure the weather will turn around and everything will come together soon. I'm looking forward to my first service on May 2nd whether or not that's the first one everyone else has! : )
ReplyDeleteP.S.- I've been singing "This Is Your House" in my head for the last couple weeks... can't wait to hear it's debut!