The area congregations in North FL gathered at Good Shepherd this afternoon for our Reformation Festival. We had folks come from Gainesville, Keystone Heights, Jacksonville, and Orange Park for this special service. Our little church choir blossomed the closer we got to the service time as folks joined during rehearsal. I give Kristi, our director, lots of credit for herding this group of cats into a respectable sounding choir. We sang hymns from our two hymnals, but in parts, with our choir being the only one to have rehearsed prior to today. Not even Victory had rehearsed. But, it sounded wonderful according to those who spoke to me afterward and God gets all the glory for this!
Justin's and my goddaughter, Sarah, served as acolyte for the first time in front of this assembled group this late afternoon. She was quite nervous but her daddy calmed her down. In this picture she is met by her grandparents as they arrived for the service. Proud dad and grandparents for this moment. Shown is Sarah, Paul, Alex and Joe, Darwin, Kurt, and seated, Cliff.
Sarah is ready to lead the procession down the aisle. Our pastor served as liturgist and the new pastor from Zion, Gainesville, Brian Wrobel, gave the sermon. He began at first from the floor level of the sanctuary but eventually found his way up to the lectern in the chancel. The sermon was based on the three men in the fiery furnace, about how faith triumphs. He was a riveting speaker. His wife, due to deliver their 2nd child this month, was there with their little daughter, Charlotte. The only little one present besides our 9 and 10 year olds.
Following the meal was the worst part---clean up! Jean made it fun by draping herself in the table decorations as she was putting them away. This really looks good on her!!
