CHURCH...

it's almost been two months since bayou city fellowship opened its doors.

as we begin, evan and i have spent many weeks worshipping and serving with the kids' ministry.

it's a bible-based, fast-paced, joy-filled, learning time each week.

it's neat how the Lord has prepared our hearts for serving in this capacity to be a delight, not a duty.

the weeks we have worshipped in the sanctuary have been precious too.

to see the fruits of so many prayers offered for this church.

the humbling act of trusting His leadership for each step and each decision.

to feel the Spirit move.

wherever we worship each week i'm learning much about His power.

it's hard to put these lessons into words, or explain all that is going on.

but i can't help but attempt to record and remember even snippets from this season.

our second time to worship in the sanctuary we began singing one of my favorite hymns.
we must have been singing in slow motion for there to be enough time,
for each of the things that passed through my mind.
specific moments that had happened over the past two months played like snapshots in a slideshow.

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
   Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
2. the feeling of being "home," worshipping in this place with each person that came.
3. breaking bread with one another.
   Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
4. as i praised God my eye caught sight of others worshipping around me.
   specifically, one who was told he wouldn't live to see this day, but did.
   

   and one who contemplated taking his own live, but didn't. 

   both situations can only be explained by Christ at work.
5. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
6. Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea.
7. listening to individual voices memorize and recite scripture.
8. "with your whole heart, love God." deuteronomy 6:5
9. Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
10. Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

1. being stretched in many ways. inviting a stranger when led. feeling completely inadequate.

1. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
2. Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.

1. the beginning of community groups. not opening up our home originally for lack of "perfect setting."
2. learning to step out in faith when led. learning once again my plans aren't perfect.

1. Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
2. Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
3. witnessing kids' worship. the child who mistakenly called church "bayou silly fellowship."
   the uninhabited praise of a preschooler.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
5. All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea.

learning time and time again this is not a work of our hands.

1. Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
2. God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! 
3. learning what faith really means. being reminded what salvation means.

you are welcome: bayou city fellowship.