Grace Covenant Reformed Baptist Church

Last weekend we launched Grace Covenant. We gathered together to worship in song, word and communion. I am so grateful for all the unique individuals and families that God has gifted and prepared to partner in the work of planting. There was so much anticipation and excitement among us as we set up the room. Chairs were placed in rows. The sound system was set up and tested. Coffee was brewed and the communion table was prepared. We prayed together before the service as people started to arrive. The visitors were greeted as the time grew near to begin.

The voices were loud in worship. I was surprised at how live the room was compared to Covenant Baptist. The sound difference was in large part due to the different shape of the room. We had a sound issue and the piano needs to be tuned but it did not dampen the joy in our song to the LORD.

James was presented to the congregation as a man entering the elder process. We prayed over James before studying the word together. We are continuing the series in the Gospel of Mark that we had begun at Covenant. This will be helpful as we get started because Josh and I can continue to share insight with one another as we study the same passage to preach each week. It is also fun to listen to Josh’s sermon at the end of the week and see the similarities and differences in our style and focus.

After the service we easily transformed the room from rows for the service to tables for a meal. Our church already shows great gifting in hospitality and providing great meals.
We also held a short business meeting with our current members to approve Bill as a deacon of the church based on his service and testing as a deacon at covenant. We look forward to presenting him to the body and praying for him next week.

Then we cleaned up and tore everything down. Again I am so grateful for joyful servants who worked together to get everything packed up.

The week prior to Sunday seemed to pass so slowly. It reminded me of waiting for Christmas as a small child. I was so ready for Sunday and just like that… it was done.

Now that the prep and launch has all been done, I look forward to finding a routine and rhythm to ministry at Grace Covenant. There is a surreal feeling thinking that the church has started. The LORD has built his church and I am confident that he will continue to build and provide for his people.

I saw a verse in my friend Angel’s home.

By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3&4

LORD continue to build it.