"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
I was standing in line for a ride at Six Flags Over Georgia the other day (I know, I know...I can't believe it, either...never say never)...anyway, I was wearing my CHURCH IN THE NOW T-shirt, and a man in line in front of me, who apparently didn't recognize me behind my sunglasses and in that setting, looked at my shirt and asked, "Whatever happened to that church?"Wow...that's a loaded question...
He went on to say that he used to watch "that guy" on TV and thought he was pretty good, but he had seen that they weren't on I-20 any more, so he just assumed they had shut down.
I assured him that we were still very much alive and well, and about to move into a permanent location...and because I didn't want to embarrass him (and because I just wanted to ride the ride), that was the end of our exchange...
But it is an interesting thing to ponder...
Just what did happen to that church?
Well...since leaving our previous place of worship the middle of April we (CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST) have met in a theatre...
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| Our first Sunday on the move (at AMC Stonecrest Cinema) |
...and in a high school auditorium...
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| Worship at Heritage High School |
...and in a civic center...
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| Wednesday nights in Olde Town |
...and at an outdoor pavilion...
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| But, oh...those summer nights! |
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| August Board Meeting in our rented office space |
...and our amazing tech crew was setting up and tearing down for each of these services...
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| Loading up after Sunday service |
...while also somehow creating the ability in each of these locations to stream each service live for CHURCH IN THE NOW ONLINE...
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| From the home of one of our CITNO members in Houston, Texas |
In a word, week after week...without exception....this group of tough, pioneering visionaries have basically performed miracles to keep this vision alive while we moved from place to place...
But now we have a permanent home...
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| Our new address...13183 Harland Drive |
...and our first service in the new building will be Sunday, September 30..
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| A place where ALL are welcome! |
...and we're returning to having two Sunday services (9 and 11 AM)...
And it's going to be awesome!
As Pastor Judah said the other day, we're ready to stop living out of a suitcase and put something in a drawer!
It's been a long, hot summer for CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST (meanwhile, everything has been moving right along at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN, but that's another blog post)...and we've learned a lot...and we've grown...and we've changed (for the better)...and we've gotten stronger...
But I just want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who stayed with the vision of this house during this time of transition (even when many of your friends left)...and moved with the cloud (when many just couldn't keep up with the mobility of it)...and saw beyond the moving and the setting up and the tearing down...and you kept showing up for services, regardless of where they were...and you kept giving...and you kept praying...and you kept believing...and you kept praising God...and you kept working (with a great attitude)...and you didn't get discouraged...and you didn't complain about less than perfect conditions...and you kept up the CHURCH IN THE NOW brand and standard of excellence...and you showed the world how to go through hard times with class and strength and grace...and you got what we were trying to do...and you understood that YOU ARE THE CHURCH...and you found out that the House of God really isn't a building made with hands, after all...and you let go of all that we had in our previous location with gratitude and with a free heart...and you learned to LIVE IN THE NOW...
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Thank you for being good for your word...
Thank you for moving furniture and equipment into buildings...
Thank you for moving furniture and equipment out of buildings...
Thank you for every penny you've given, and for every drop of sweat that you've produced...
Thank you for showing up for the work nights (the next one is tomorrow night - 9/19, btw...)
...and thanks you for showing up last night at Covington City Hall to make sure we got the final clearance and approval to use the building!
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| Immediately after the Mayor officially welcomed us to Covington |
God is good, no doubt...and, of course, we give Him the glory for everything...in Him we live and move and have our being...
But we couldn't have done any of this without YOU!
You're simply the best...
CHURCH IN THE NOW ROCKS!
....anyway, in case anyone else asks, that's what happened to that church...
See you on September 30th!
