It is so good...

John Eldridge took this picture of our church yesterday after worship. It looks more like central Alaska than Bellevue. Believe it or not, the parking lot had been plowed clean the afternoon before. As the storm blew snow and more snow Saturday night and Sunday morning, the roads became tougher to travel.

I decided that we would be open for worship no matter what. I live only a mile away, so I could walk, ski, or drive to the church. An email was sent to all our online friends and members informing them that if they were able to make it, the doors would be open. But could they come 30 minutes early to help shovel the sidewalks!

Late Saturday night Glenn Kost shoveled the sidewalks clean. By morning light it was clear that much work still had to be redone and done! Glenn returned early in the morning with Gene McCoy (our cheerful custodian) to clear them again. They were joined at 9:30 am by enthusiastic youth with shovels- the Devines and Prussings! They (with support from their parents) not only cleaned up the sidewalks but they blasted out the heavy street snow blocking our parking lot.

Both our choir director, Norm Jonkman, and our organist, Jenni Monillas, were cut off from us by treacherous roads. Never fear - Shirley Earl volunteered to play the piano. We moved up to the front of the sanctuary so we could all be cozy close together. When all was said and done, a little more than 50 of us slipped and slided and walked to worship. We all felt so grateful to be together.

At the passing of the peace, one choir member told me, "We will do something for an anthem." I announced it and another choir members replied, "Hugh?" Let me show you the picture of them singing "Silent Night." Their impromptu singing of that beautiful song almost made me cry. It was so from the heart. Unplanned, unrehearsed - yet pure offering of love and thanks to God. All of us felt the truth that we were in the presence of God.

The power of God humbles me. He is the power behind the awesome snow and wind. And yet He humbles himself to meet us where we are.

It is so good to be in a church were everyone jumps in to do what is needed to be done. It is so good to serve the God who loves us and loves us and loves us.

Pastor Charlie