Truth Baptist Church's First Service

This is the day we have been preparing for since Matt, Jen, and Brianne moved here in December. Today we held our first Sunday services for Truth Baptist Church of Jacksonville!


Leading up to today there has been much preparation, mostly on the part of Matt and Jen, but some on our part as well. Praying, ordering materials and equipment, passing out flyers, praying, visiting people, planning out the details, purchasing toys for the nursery, more praying. But when it came down to it, no effort on our part could bring any increase; it had to be the Lord... and He really did deliver!! We are so thankful to report that the first morning service at Truth went beautifully. We praise the Lord for the 29 people in attendance, for the preaching of His word from Luke 7 (A Sinful Woman Finds Forgiveness), and for working out all the details involved so that the service was truly a blessing!



Getting things set up before the service



Ready to go!


This dear lady Lisa, whom Matt met through one of the flyers we passed out, came and made a wonderful breakfast casserole for those of us who were setting up. She is a very sweet lady, and has kept us in prayer since she got our flyer!




Jen practicing before the service




Noah hanging out before the service





Patrick and Heather Bryant came all the way from Greenville, SC to help us with our opening service! They sang a beautiful special during the service, "Amazing Grace, Amazing Love", helped us pass out flyers yesterday morning, helped with the last-minute details, took us out to eat last night, and were an incredible blessing and asset to us. Thanks, guys!


I had nursery duty during the main worship service, and was a little bummed that I wouldn't be able to take any photos of the service, but Patrick found my camera and took the photos for me! Isn't that a blessing? What is not a blessing is this atrocious picture he took of me!! :) But it's the only one I have of the nursery, so it made it onto the blog. This is me saying, "Oh GOOD!! You're going to take pictures for me?!?! THANK YOU!!" We ended up with 3 kids in the nursery; Noah, Brianne, and a little girl named Brooke.

Matt getting the service started




Those in attendance, left side



Our attendees



We praise the Lord for the work He has done so far, and trust Him for the future!







Comments

PrayerHelpers said…
Joanna,
This is great. Thanks for sharing and supporting.we heard Dave Townsley challenge us to divide in church planting philosophy as we practice the great commission. His church will be www.riversidebaptistchurchct.com
and the plant is projected for September 2010.
Br. Pat
July 26, 2009 at 5:18 PM
PrayerHelpers said…
Joanna,
Not sure if my first post made it... I have a couple google email accounts.
Gos bless you.
Br. Pat
July 26, 2009 at 5:23 PM
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