Fresh Start For REAL!

                              


     I don't know if I've ever been to a church that felt more real.  There were no greeters at the door, there was no bulletin or posted order of worship, there was no praise band or pianist, or pomp and circumstance whatsoever. There was no musical call to worship, or candles lit, or offering taken.  There was no elaborately decorated sanctuary or formally robed pastor or quietly observing Sunday morning worshipers.

    There was, however, a little boy who held the door open for us as we walked inside, and a pastor who welcomed us and shook my husband's hand and told stories to my daughter and made her laugh. There was a friend who offered me coffee and led me to the kitchen where I was encouraged to help myself to not only the coffee but the homemade muffins sitting on the counter as well. There were friends sitting together at tables talking and laughing who smiled or nodded or said hello as I walked by.

    There was a historic sanctuary in a historic church that had once been the First United Methodist Church until ten years ago when they built a new church and sold the old one to a private party who now graciously leases part of the building to Fresh Start Fellowship for their Sunday and Wednesday services. There were lovely stained glass windows and padded chairs lined up in rows and a stage with a large screen tv set upon a table waiting to pull up YouTube and provide both music and lyrics to the morning's worshipers.

     There was a room in the back where the little ones (including my own) went to play and unbridled laughter and screams and even a few cries could be heard as Pastor Kris Ewbank walked to the front and mother's took turns stepping out to check on the kids. There was an open forum kind of chat about things happening in the community and congregation that flowed seamlessly into a conversation about mother's that many took part in, unreservedly sharing memories and stories and gratitude on this Mother's Day morning.

    There was a thought provoking and touching Biblical message which pitted societies' version of a good mom against God's version.  Examples in biblical mothers such as Lois and Eunice were used to encourage us to seek Godly wisdom and to encourage our children to step out in faith like Timothy and John Mark of the New Testament. And when Pastor Kris had finished his sermon, there was an open opportunity to ask questions or share observations or realizations from the lesson that morning. It was relaxed and encouraging and heartfelt and open and real, and when everyone had said their fill, we were asked to gather together at the front where members shared concerns and asked for prayers and took turns praying for others. There was a call for a special prayer for single mothers in the congregation, and surrounded by those who had been their themselves, as well as all the other mothers and grandmothers and men in the congregation, we laid hands on one another and prayed for wisdom and strength and the ability to reach out to one another in love.

     There was no closing song or benediction, but there was an invitation to join the weekly potluck (which we passed on this week due to Mother's day and middle daughter's birthday). There was no parting "visitors" gift, but there was a pile of trash bags in the corner of the sanctuary and a request to help add to it with items for their inner city ministry. There were a few similarities to the Sunday morning worship services we're used to attending, and there were many, many differences.....which is exactly as it was supposed to be. Fresh Start Fellowship was started eight years ago with the goal of providing a different kind of church to serve others and worship God in a different kind of way in order to make a difference. And we were so blessed on our Steeple Chase this week to discover that they are continuing to do just that!

It may be different, but it's difference with a purpose.
These items are being gathered in the sanctuary to be shared in ministry.
Now that's a difference I can stand behind!

P.S.  Fresh Start Fellowship is hosting a women's conference this Saturday at the Fairview Community Center. They've asked me to be one of the speakers, and I would very much appreciate your prayers as I take this opportunity to do what I feel God leading me to do. I'd also LOVE to have you in attendance. God bless you, my friends, and thank you so much for being a part of our journey.
 

(P.P.S. Old picture! Don't expect me to look like that on Saturday!)