Heritage Jubilee Testimony Day 13
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Friday, January 28, 2011, Day 13
WHO ARE MY BROTHERS?
Matthew 12:47-50
Why do things happen the way they do? Have you ever had that thought? I learned a long time ago that God is always in control. ALWAYS.
I had been asked to accept a position as music director at a local church. I thought about it and prayed for a year thinking I already knew I did not want to do it. But, God had other plans for me. When I told the person who asked me that I would accept, I told her I didn’t know why I was doing this. I didn’t really feel “at home” at the church and I did not feel at the time that it would be a time of growth. But I did feel the Lord wanted me to take that position. After I accepted, one night I asked God why I was there and he wrote on my heart, “You are here for a reason and only for a season”. That season lasted two years.
During that time, we had been invited to come to Heritage Church of God for their evening service. Not once in that time did Pastor Fry ever ask us to leave where we were and start coming here all the time. He just encouraged us and the many others who were attending here only at night. He let us know we were members of the night church. The people made us feel a part, some even sang in the cantata one year and served on the evening Praise Team. Some started coming on Wednesday evenings too.
Upon being relieved of my position due to a new pastor and the church changing directions, my husband and I discussed where we were going to start worshipping on Sunday mornings. We decided for the first week we would come to Heritage, but vowed not to make a commitment here. We walked in that first Sunday morning in January and Pastor Fry welcomed us, literally, with open arms and I still remember his words, “Welcome Home.” He did not even know of the events that led up to us coming there, but he knew in his heart that God had sent us. We left that day knowing that was where the Lord wanted us and we were “HOME”.
We have seen a lot of changes here. After all a church is made up of people, therefore, change will happen. But each time it gets better and better and God keeps sending more neat people through the door.
I have been in church all my life. My dad was a pastor and missionary, so yes, ALL my life. I can honestly say this is the best church ever. Is it perfect? No, I’m here, so it can’t be. But it is full of people that are growing and learning in the Lord. It is filled with people who genuinely love each other. We pray, cry, laugh, eat, play and worship together.
This is my family and I love every one of you. I don’t know you yet? I still love you because you are part of His family and that makes you part of my family. Yes, God is ALWAYS in control.
Matthew 12:47 someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He relied to them, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to His diciples, He said, “Here are my mother and my brothers 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Lynn Bryant
Director of Music |
Heritage Jubilee Testimony Day 11
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011, Day 11
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HERITAGE
It’s not as if I haven’t gone to church all my life. In fact, I have belonged to a few very spiritual churches. So what is it that keeps me here at Heritage Church of God? It may sound cliché, but it has to be the people that keep me here.
I remember the first time I walked in the doors with my sister, Beth, and it felt like everyone that greeted us really wanted us there. The best part is that it still feels like that after attending for nearly eight years. Heritage has offered so many opportunities to grow in the Spirit but none of that would continue if it weren’t for the people who want to keep that Spirit in the center of all we do.
I pray that the Lord continues to work with our church to keep us growing in His grace and knowledge and that we don’t take for granted that gift.
Jeannie Langenderfer
Junior Youth Teacher |
Heritage Jubilee Testimony Day 9
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Monday, January 24, 2011, Day 9
LOVE AND FAMILY
As I reflect on Heritage Church of God, two words come to my mind – love and family.
First is love. God’s love is a very comforting and warm feeling as you enter the door and next is the sister/brother love that lets you know that you are accepted for yourself. God brought me to Heritage Church when I was in need of nurturing and uplifting as I was the primary care giver for my parents and my younger brother.
Family is the next word and that is the part of being united in service, prayer time, sharing and caring about other’s needs, and being able to share personal needs with others.
I enjoy our Bible studies, our group knitting and crocheting in Knitting for Others, and working in the nursery room of our Child Care Center. My love for those children and the family relationships bring meaning and fulfillment into my life on a daily basis. God is good.
A verse I try to live by is Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you whenever you go.”
Carol Ford
Heritage Child Care
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Heritage Jubilee Testimony Day 12
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Thursday, January 27, 2011, Day 12
GOD IS LOVE
When I think of just the word heritage, I think of something that can be passed along from generation to generation. And if ever I were asked to name only one thing I would want to pass along to my children and grandchildren, most definitely it would be love.
When I was thinking about the meaning and the origin of the word love, I realized that the word love has a meaning that is impossible to describe and it has no origin! Love always was, is, and always will be. Love is not a feeling. Love is alive and it is a true and whole entity that envelopes and embodies all; not just some. So what is this little four letter word that is so big and so wonderful that it is indescribable? God is Love – Love is God!
At Heritage Church of God, I am a part of a very large family. I have many brothers and sisters in Christ. Love is our corner stone and also the ground on which this church was built. I feel very blessed to be a part of God’s family, this church. Yes, there are times when we let the “outside” world in the doors of our family’s home and feelings get hurt or feathers get ruffled; however, our patriarch lives among us and He touches us. His love is rubbed onto us and then all is well again.
When you are asked what church you go to, please don’t say “Heritage.” Make sure you always say “Heritage Church of GOD,” because this is HIS house! Not every church keeps God as the hub of their wheel; but at Heritage Church of God, God is alive, well, and living among us.
Margie Campos
Bible Study Leader
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Heritage Jubilee Testimony Day 10
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Tuesday, January 25, 2011, Day 10
GO AND TELL – WILL THEY LISTEN
Exodus 4:1
I rarely went to church after my teen years. I had a family and was involved in outside interests. Until one day, God said, “Enough is enough. You are either for Me or against Me.” That was pretty scary for me. It was decision time. I decided to live for Christ.
God led me to Heritage Church of God where I have been involved in music and calling on new people. In 2005 and 2008, God healed me of cancer through many prayers by my church family. I have compassion in my heart that God has many more things for me to do.
This morning I was reading Exodus, Chapter 4. Three times Moses made lame excuses for not speaking to the Israelites.
* But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice (so God gave him signs to use) but still Moses said;
* But I am slow in speech and slow of tongue (God said, I will be your mouth) but still Moses said;
* But please send by the hand on whomever else you may send.
WOW! Could that be me? Do I make up lame excuses when God says, “Go tell the world what Jesus Christ has done for you.”
Jesus did not make lame excuses when he walked up that hill to Calvary or when He forgave us of our sins even though we were unworthy of forgiveness.
Do you make lame excuses to God?
God has a purpose for each one of us. Part of doing His will is to witness to the lost whether they are a family member, a friend or a stranger. GO AND TELL.
Peggy Stalder
Director of Visitation |
Heritage Jubilee Testimony Day 8
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Sunday, January 23, 201, Day 8
DEFINING A FAMILY
“A family is love, understanding, and encouragement.” That is how my grandma, Joyce Genung, defines a family. If you ask me, I would define a family as what we have here at Heritage Church of God.
The understanding and acceptance of each person that God brings through our doors, is a testament to how dedicated the church is to building up the Kingdom of Heaven. In my life, I have seen this through my husband. Todd has gone from calling the church, “Heather’s church” to now, “our church.” I thank God for the many friendships He has given us here at Heritage. They all help us to have a stronger marriage and a closer relationship with the Lord.
God is also working in the church through our many Bible studies and children’s programs. With the encouragement from the God driven leaders, we are working together to build a strong foundation of faith in every generation. It is awesome to see our children and our youth supported and encouraged to fulfill the callings that God has on their lives. He is changing our hearts every week. God has blessed me and taught me so much more from the people in my Living Light Bible Study than I could ever teach them. Where else can you go and be reminded that God can use you where you are today. He does not care what you look like or how you dress. He wants you just the way you are. Encouragement! Try it, it spreads?.
“….But the greatest of these is love.” Romans 13:13. God’s love is pouring out, over, and through every person and ministry here at Heritage. Love is at the core of everything we do. I am so thankful to be a fourth-generation member of a church that teaches its people how to love as God loves. It is my prayer that all who enter here will be as encouraged, understood, and loved as my family has been.
Heather Mefferd
Director of Living Light |
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