Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79

This Sunday in Tarboro was, in my estimation, exactly the beginning we were hoping for. The day could not have been any better, turning out to be a beautiful celebration of the following:

1. The first Sunday in Advent, the season of expectation for the coming King.
2. The beginning of the Christian Year (the ecclesiastical/liturgical calendar).
3. A new relationship with this beautiful congregation of good and faithful people who follow Jesus.

The symmetry of the moment felt pitch-perfect. To begin a new ministry on the first day of the church calendar could not have been better timing. And, sharing the Lord’s Supper together put everything in its proper perspective.

In consequence church this weekend was like walking up to bat with no outs, the bases loaded, and the ball sitting on a tee – all you have to do is make contact and something good is going to happen!

The congregation arrived expecting to meet God in worship, expecting to be encouraged by one another, and expecting to hear good news from the new preacher; and it has been my observation that people generally tend to experience what it is that they already believe is going to happen.

The sanctuary – already beautiful – was decorated, tastefully, in the best of Christmas finery; and the people – equally lovely – showed up with open hearts and welcoming spirits.

There was a good crowd in attendance, and the congregation received the message with attention, and grace, and good humor. Not only did Rebekah and I experience genuine welcome, but we felt as if we had been in the company of a strong and faithful body of believers.

Maybe it’s because we, too, tend to experience what it is that we already believe is going to happen.

Rebekah and I came to worship, as we always do, expecting to encounter the Spirit of God and to grow in our faith – and, no surprise, that is what always happens at church. We also showed up here in Tarboro expecting to meet a church ready to serve God, and to love Jesus, and to be equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit; ready to grow in grace and mercy and love and light; ready to be renewed with love and encouragement and faithfulness and joy.

And that is absolutely what is already happening.

Telling – and living – a good story:

This story I am telling about the church here in Tarboro is a story that – in the way Jesus would construct the equation – has to be believed to be seen.

What I would suggest to our new family in Tarboro is this: having shown up as believers on Sunday, never stop believing; and, don’t stop showing up either.

Do that much, and God will take care of the rest – Derek