A Sermon for Cinnamon: Faith Center Fellowship

      Isn't it funny (interesting? miraculous?) how God places you just where you need to be when you need to be there? I'm finding this to be so true on this crazy Steeple Chase we've embarked on as week by week, I open my heart and mind to urgings from the Holy Spirit to direct us to a Sunday morning worship, and week after week, God keeps setting me up to hear and feel and experience exactly what I seem to need at the time.  This week it was Pastor Cody Anderson at Faith Center Fellowship in Meno, Oklahoma that God used to speak directly to me.

     I had noticed Faith Center Fellowship many times over the years as we drove through the tiny town of Meno on our way into Enid for shopping and such. At first, I wondered what in the world that place was: a school, a church, a church-school? I wasn't sure, but as the years passed and the building transformed, and a new and very informative sign was placed by the highway, I understood it's role as a nondenominational church. With a bit of research, I discovered that the building was indeed originally a school, but a small congregation from the Church of God in Ames, OK lead by pastor Monte Anderson, had stepped out in faith, purchased the building, and began a journey which led to the church we see today. From the outside, it's large and a little awkward, and definitely interesting to see, so I was curious about what was inside and was excited to experience worship there.

 

    We stepped out of our vehicle and looked around the parking lot to see three cars unloading, all with friends and neighbors from home. We knew that there were people from Fairview who attended there, but were so pleasantly surprised to be greeted by familiar faces at the moment of our arrival. The next happy surprise was that we had arrived in time for donuts, which was brought to our attention by our neighbor's kids' happy cry of "Donuts!" as we walked through the door. (I have to admit that I often think of donuts with the same high-pitched happy squeal inside.) The entry to the church was cheerful and inviting as friends greeted one another, helped themselves to coffee, and caught up on the weeks events. We were invited to sit with our friends, and after a quick potty break for the kids, we entered the spacious sanctuary and found our seats.

    Due to the aforementioned potty break, we walked in just as the lights were dimmed and the music was beginning and the incredible vocals of music leader Lacie Tribble filled the space. I'm telling you  this girl can SING! The music was contemporary worship songs with words in both Spanish and English projected onto screens flanking the stage, and it was so very well done. I love when I can immerse myself in heartfelt worship with song without any thought or worry about the people around me, and they definitely provided that experience for me. The music did go on for quite a while with phrases repeated several times in a way I know my mom would not enjoy, and my girls did get tired of standing (bless their little out of shape hearts), but for me it was EXACTLY how my heart longs to worship, and I felt so very blessed and connected.

     Afterwards, the pastor called the children down front for a special blessing over them and then they were escorted to the Jungle Room for Children's Church. Once again our oldest chose to remain with us while the younger two be-bopped off with a bunch of strangers, happy as clams and without even a glance in our direction. They absolutely LOVED their time in the Jungle Room. They were excited about their lesson and insisted I get multiple pictures of them in the room. Both girls expressed a desire to go back sometime after our "steeple thing" is over.

 

    While the little ones were having lessons of their own, Pastor Cody was speaking directly to me. I'm going to do a little online confessing here and admit that I've been having a little house envy of late. Several of our friends have either been building new homes or buying new homes or remodeling the homes they have, and I've developed a giant chasm of dissatisfaction with our 75 year old farm house and all it's many issues. (The same farm house, mind you, that was the home of my dreams a few short years ago when it was first purchased.) I've spent multiple hours planning remodels and add-ons and "easy" changes that will not only improve our house but our quality of life and REALLY who we are as people, parents, Christians, and friends. So when Pastor Cody began speaking on the 10th Commandment about coveting, he might as well have started every sentence with "Cinnamon." His warnings about materialism leading to worry, weariness, and gloom were right on, his urging to "get your eyes on Jesus," and to realize that the "opposite of coveting is contentment" were exactly what I needed to hear. His delivery was down to earth and enticing and easy to follow. His desire for vocal audience approval and agreement a little different than what we are used to, but refreshing and encouraging in a sense that you no longer felt alone in your thoughts and feelings but united with others who were admitting to feeling the same. There was no boredom or drifting of thoughts, but a connected interest in both my husband and myself throughout the message, and we were left with tools to help us and discussions to sit down to together and a desire to please our Father more than ourselves.  (Please follow this link if you'd like to listen to this sermon online http://faithcenterpeople.com/#/watch-live.)

     After the final prayer and alter call, we discovered a very nice gift on the seat next to us (I always feel a little guilty taking these.), and then made our way to pick up the kids. Several people greeted us and introduced themselves on our way, and there was just an overall feeling of happiness and enjoyment and contentment within Faith Center.

     As we prepared to leave, we stopped for a bit to visit with my husband's sweet cousin who just this past week lost her husband in a tragic accident. When I mentioned to her that we were unsure if she would be in church that Sunday, her exact words were, "There's nowhere on Earth I'd rather be," and I realized that this was exactly what the Bride of Christ is all about. Providing a home where it's members desire to be in their joy as well as their grief, being that support for one another, and reaching out to all with the love of Christ. How fortunate we are to have been led to Faith Center Fellowship on our Steeple Chase this year, and how much we are looking forward to visiting again someday in the future.