We Had Faith!

It is the Monday after a fantastic Sunday (even if it was long -- two worship services, celebration lunch, ice skating, and confirmation class). It was a glorious day! Worship attendance was up and the Rev. Dr. Bernice Kirkland, former associate pastor of First Farragut and currently serving as the Executive Pastor at Cascade UMC in Atlanta, GA, delivered an inspiring and "anointed" message (anointed being her second step in her sermon). She truly put an exclamation point on our Stepping Stones to the Future Debt Reduction Campaign. It was great to finally meet Bernice and her wonderful husband Darryl.

It was also a special day of homecomings as the Rev. Richard Edwards and his family were in attendance at the 11:00 am service. He gave us quite a "good word" after our time of commitment, which was our "step" for this Sunday. Our Celebration Meal was incredible. [The cake above, made by Jason Yarbrough, was a part of this extravaganza]

Stepping Stones has been a time of homecomings as some members whom we had not seen in a while came back. And, Stepping Stones is currently a time when new people are visiting and joining with us. We celebrated 3 births this week and still have one on the way. Through our devotional book and centering times we have grown spiritually as individuals. Through worship and making contacts we have grown together as a congregation. Stepping Stones to the Future has truly been a time of moving forward!

So, now for what you are wanting to know ... I did not even fall once ice skating on Sunday afternoon with the kids. I don't know that I would have called it Speed Skating (as was advertised in worship), because there were far too many inexperienced skaters around me. You mean that's not what you wanted to know? ...

Here's how we did ... In our first Sunday of receiving estimate of giving cards, we have surpassed our Faith Goal of $750,000! And, we stand very close to our Hope Goal of 1 Million! When we get a little over $100,000 more we will reach this goal. We still would love to make our Love Goal of 1.6 Million. We will have cards available this Sunday or you can mail your cards in to the church.

BIT: It's sometimes a little scary standing there by the basket as people come forward to make their commitment. That lurking question, "what if we don't make it to our goal?". Knowing that many people have put in a lot of time and energy and resources to make this happen. However, I felt no such fear this Sunday as people stood to come forward with their gifts. The Spirit that has been moving through this campaign had calmed my anxiousness. I had faith we would reach our Faith Goal. I am excited because I know how much this is going to help us to move boldly into the preferred future God has for us as First Farragut. Now, let us move on to to Faith & Love!