First Preview Service...Recap

I am finally back to blogging after a great First Preview Worship Service on Sunday night, October 2. We had a great turnout and I believe a great first worship service. Hearing everyone sing for the first time reminded me that redemptive history was being written that night and continues each new day for The Fountain. See, for the very first time in history, a specific group of people, who had never been together before, gathered in a place to worship God on October 2. It was a new timbre of sound than has ever been heard because each voice has a different timbre. I was reminded that Jesus makes all things new...new churches, new sounds, and especially leads people to new life. We are excited about our 2nd Preview Worship Service on October 30 at 6pm.

We took a building at a local park and turned it into a wonderful looking space. I am thankful for many who helped us set up and even take everything down. It was a big job. We were pulling things out of boxes for the first time and trying out things that have never been used, but it all came together. That is a sign of God at work. I especially want to thank Tom Baines, Suwanee UMC, and Shadowbrook Baptist Church for allowing us to borrow some items for that night. What a great picture of the unity of the Body of Christ, and I don't want their efforts to go unnoticed. It is a reminder that the ministry of The Fountain is far bigger than what you see. We are connected and supported in some way by more churches than I could list. 

We were blessed by the music of three band members from TheKey Band. They are friends of mine from Mercer University and they have moved into the area because their band is really picking up momentum. It was a blessing to have them lead us before the throne of God in worship for the very first time ever. I preached a message about the kind of life that Jesus offers. I focused on John 4 where Jesus offers a free, undeserved gift of living water to a Samaritan woman who comes to draw water from a well. We talked about how Jesus is really offering much more than H20. Jesus is offering this woman a gift of new life where she can find the hope, purpose, and wholeness she had been looking for. I also believe that same invitation is given to me and you.

I was also excited that over 20 people volunteered that night to serve as a part of our team. We want people to experience the love and welcome of Christ from the moment they pull into the parking lot and throughout the service. We had people greeting in the parking lot and directing people where to go, people welcoming outside the front door, an awesome group providing coffee before and ice cream afterwards, some people who were helping with multiple things inside, and a lot of people praying for us. There was a great community feel already, and I believe it started with our awesome volunteers. God has blessed us with so many who want to help us launch The Fountain because they believe in the vision of leading new people to life, hope, purpose, and wholeness through Jesus Christ. The wonderful team that is already a part of The Fountain is a great picture that God is the true church planter. Mandy and I have worked very hard to recruit, get things in order, and hear God’s vision, but God is the engine pulling this train. I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

We are excited about the future of where God is leading and we invite you to be a part of God’s movement through The Fountain. I am excited about our official launch in early 2012!