The Chapel has had a full summer of ministry! Some of the highlights are our first ever year-round collection for Operation Christmas Child, our always amazing Summer Youth Ministry including the youth-lead worship service and baptism, the Women’s Summer Bible Study about Heaven, and the new-this-year 8:00AM worship service on the beach! Please read on in this newsletter to learn more and see pics of each of these programs!
I would like to share some reflections on our 8:00 AM worship service on the beach. This week I heard Cece Winans’ sing, Goodness of God. That song and its lyrics always stir me.
I love You Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God
Chorus: All my life You have been faithful All my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able I will sing of the goodness of God.
Hearing, “I will sing of the goodness of God”, caused me to immediately think of this summer’s 8:00AM worship services. I hope you were able to attend one or more. The nine Sundays of worship were one of the most moving experiences of my life. God was so faithful in showing the Board and planning team the way to this new outreach and so good to bless us with nine Sundays of great weather! The planning team was fully committed, and their excitement and enthusiasm never waned once. Attendees commented on how special it was to be on the beach for worship. God’s goodness was so evident.
Each of the nine services followed an order which included a welcome, singing, prayer, scripture, special music, and preaching. It was all so wonderful, but I want to tell you about the time of prayer. We were invited to join in a moment of quiet. Quiet? Imagine. Quiet. The introduction to this special time went like this…
“Out here on the beach we are surrounded by the beauty of God’s creations. The sound of the waves, the movement of the breeze, and the rhythm of the morning remind us that God is always present, even in the stillness. For the next few moments, I invite you to simply be still. You may want to close your eyes, lower your gaze, or look out at the ocean. As you listen to the waves, take a slow breath and allow your heart to settle. If there is something weighing on you today, quietly offer it to God. If there is something you are thankful for, take this moment to express that gratitude. And if you don’t have the words to pray, that is okay. Sometimes the most meaningful prayer is simply being present with God.”
…And then we were all quiet and it was amazing. The Holy Spirit was there. Creation sang God’s glory.
This special prayer time concluded with, “Gracious God, thank you for meeting us in the quiet moments. Help us to hear your voice, to feel your peace, and to carry your presence with us today. Amen.”
Let’s remember to be quiet before the Lord all year long and to reflect on His goodness. Plan to join us next summer for worship on the beach at 8:00AM. It was so amazing.
