January 1, 2009

On the Journey

                            Yes, only 3 weeks and 5 days—

              Surely, it has been more than 3 weeks and 5 days. This is what I find myself saying 3 weeks and 5 days after the fire. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday we were shivering in the cold watching smoke billow from our beloved sanctuary. In other ways, it feels like it happened a lifetime ago. On the one hand, days and nights have seemed to run away from us. On the other hand, the days and nights have seemed to last forever.

              At times, it is very difficult for me to grasp all that has happened during this Advent season of displacement. Countless decisions have been made during a time of crisis. Tremendous energy expended by a legion of committed folks to hold our community of faith together, to secure the treasures of our building, to document our losses, to transform Tilghman auditorium into a place of worship, to present a concert presentation of The Life of Christ in Living Pictures, to prepare for worship, to care for our members and friends, and to pray without ceasing for our congregation. This congregation, sustained by God’s grace, has met the challenge of these days. Thanks be to God!

              While stumbling forward through this time of displacement, we have received strength from those who reached out to us. We have experienced the blessing of caring and compassionate friends who have stood alongside us. Almost daily, we have received messages of encouragement from folks who share our feelings of loss and displacement.  Friends scattered across the country have sent financial gifts to assist us in this time of crisis. Area churches have offered the use of their facilities for our ministries. The administration at Tilghman High School has accommodated our every request.

              Despite the trials of the past 3 weeks and 5 days, we have continued to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. With the gracious assistance of the Pizza Inn, we hosted our friends from River City Mission on Tuesday, December 23. Just like any other Christmas, they received their packages containing a variety of small gifts from the members of Immanuel. Families gathered here on Saturday, December 20, to wrap presents provided for their children through Share the Joy. While their parents wrapped, the children made a special Christmas gifts. We went to assisted living facilities and nursing homes to sing carols, read scriptures, and proclaim the birth of Jesus. Whenever we encountered an opportunity to serve others, we responded.

              During these past 3 weeks and 5 days, we have gathered to worship and to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We have read familiar scriptures and sung the songs of the season. With joy, we came together for our Immanuel Christmas Homecoming. On Christmas Eve, we made our way to our Lord’s Table offering our thanks for his coming and his sacrifice. We have experienced the presence and power of God together in worship. Folks have come to join with us on our journey of faith. Because life does not lie down and behave for anyone, we have wept with brothers and sisters in their sorrow, visited our friends in the hospital, prayed for those meeting unexpected challenges, and rejoiced with those celebrating accomplishments.

              In two days, we will enter a new year. It will be a time of new beginnings. Already we know the New Year holds challenges for us. The challenges will also bring opportunities. Because of what I have seen and experienced throughout the past 3 weeks and 5 days, I choose to embrace the New Year with hope and purpose. Trusting in Jesus, we will seek to follow him wherever he may lead us in the coming days.

              In the coming year, we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Baptist beginnings. Four hundred years ago in Holland, a group of believers gathered together, baptized one another, and formed the first Baptist church. This year we will celebrate the 115th anniversary of Immanuel Baptist Church. We were constituted as a congregation on 24 January 1894. At that time, we were known as Second Baptist Church. When we moved into a new building at 408 Murrell Boulevard in 1922, we chose the name Immanuel. Despite this season of displacement, we build for tomorrow on a foundation of faithfulness to God and a willingness to seek first the kingdom of God.

              Before the fire, the staff had embraced a theme for 2009. We were prepared to declare a Year of Jubilee. According to the Old Testament, every 50 years the people of God would declare the year of jubilee. This was a year to let go of the past, to be restored, and to embark on a new beginning. It was a time of allowing the past to be the past, so one might experience anew the promises of God. In the coming weeks, you will hear more about this, as you are encouraged to experience a new beginning, to embrace new commitments, and enter a new life. We pray this will be a year of spiritual renewal and transformation.

              Together we have made our way through the past 3 weeks and 5 days. Together we will enter and embrace the New Year. What have we learned during the past 3 weeks and 5 days—God is with us, and we are Immanuel. Thanks be to God!jamie