Thank you to everyone that helped make Trunk or Treat a big success (see the highlight video above). I’ve participated in a lot of church events in my lifetime, but perhaps none ever felt as necessary as last Sunday’s gathering. It has been a long year, and with that we have experienced a long drought in church programs due to the ongoing pandemic. But for two hours on Sunday, it almost felt like things were “normal” again. Granted, we were still sanitizing train seats after each rider, many were wearing masks, and we handed out “touch-free” candy. However, there was incredible power in our family of faith simply gathering again for fun and fellowship.
Things felt normal because you and I were not made to be alone (Gen 2:18, Ecc 4:9). But unfortunately, many have been living in isolation and left unable to meet their God-given need for community. Acts 2:42 says, the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Healthy churches devote themselves to gathering. It starts with worship and the teaching of God’s Word, but it expands to the fellowship and community that our souls desperately need. Last Sunday, I was thrilled to watch many people quench that thirst for fellowship for the first time since March.
We experienced another “pandemic-record” crowd in our Sunday morning services, and we saw hundreds more join us for the community event that evening. My prayer is that ABC will continue to serve as an outlet for God’s people to connect and belong during this storm. Some in our church will need to continue connecting online for a season. But for many others, my hope is that they too will reenter our church doors. There are thousands of people in Austin that have reemerged into every other facet of culture, except church. My prayer is that those folks will start feeding their souls the things that they are truly hungry for: God’s Word and the fellowship of His people.
In the coming weeks, you’re going to see our church continue to safely move forward. This Sunday we’re bringing in a dynamic singer, Jeff Anderson (from Veritas), to help lead us in worship. We’ll also celebrate our first Parent Child Dedication of 2020 and train all of our BFG leaders through a 4PM leadership summit. This week, we just wrapped up a critical staff retreat, and in the following weeks, you’ll hear about us celebrating veterans, ordaining deacons, observing the Lord’s Supper, celebrating Thanksgiving, and unveiling a dynamic December calendar. This Sunday, I look forward to beginning our new sermon series, “Walking on Your Knees.” We will turn to the Lord’s prayer to find strength and guidance as we enter into a critical election week. I hope you come prayed up and ready to worship and fellowship with our family of faith. Invite someone to join you, and we’ll see you Sunday!
www.jonathanspencer.org 