Yesterday, I posted the picture above to facebook. This is how my office looked when I walked in on Sunday morning. We are a church that reaches kids and young families and our kids love trying to get one over on “Pastor Craig.”
The picture on facebook generated lots of buzz and comments. Even this morning someone asked me if I had cleaned my office.
But, that picture was only one picture of Malvern Hill yesterday. There were several other pictures of Malvern Hill that mattered yesterday.
Yesterday we celebrated baptism. Celebrated is always a great word to use, but in this case it is especially true. Angie (the one in the robe), was so excited I was afraid she would float.
Yesterday we also observed the Lord’s Supper.
Yesterday, a small army of people worked to prepare all of the necessary elements for our worship. Yesterday people rehearsed their music, gave out bulletins, prepared the Lord’s Supper, filled the baptistry, prayed with baptism candidates, and unlocked doors. Yesterday children sat with parents and grandparents and learned about the importance of the Lord’s Supper. Yesterday, teenagers helped younger brothers understand why they couldn’t partake of the Lord’s Supper.
Yesterday, one of our members got married. Yesterday, one of our children came forward during worship as a candidate for baptism. Yesterday, a young woman asked to meet with me to talk about her recent decision to follow Jesus as her savior. Yesterday, LifeGroups met all over our campus and wrestled with applying God’s word to their lives.
Yesterday, we had a Next Steps class for potential members to explore their commitment to Malvern Hill. Yesterday, people learned about world religions, politics, and apologetics during our Equipping Studies. Yesterday, nursery workers rocked babies and played with toddlers. Yesterday, children’s workers taught and prayed with children. Yesterday, the saints of Malvern Hill sang, prayed, and rejoiced in the Lord.
Yesterday, deacons prayed over me. Yesterday, teenagers prayed together. Yesterday, lonely people got a hug and a handshake. Yesterday, hurting people were comforted. Yesterday, sinners found grace.
Yesterday, Christians wrestled with religious freedom in the public square. Yesterday, women found hope in the ministry of each other. Yesterday, children were prayed. Yesterday, the gospel was preached and the gates of hell were pushed back a little further. Yesterday, my office was dirty, but that is just a taste of yesterday.
You see, yesterday I posted a picture of my office. It was a picture of our church, but it was only a small snapshot of what the church is on any given Sunday.
Yesterday was a great day. But, yesterday was not abnormal. Yesterday was an ordinary Sunday, but ordinary Sundays are pretty extraordinary. Where were you yesterday?
