Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr

Thanks to the folks at Bible Gateway for this post today.  I hope you enjoy!

http://www.biblegateway.com/blog/?p=569

New Season Christian Center

New Season Christian Center

639 W International Airport Rd, Suite 24

www.newseasoncc.org

Service Time: Sun 10:30AM

New Season Christian Center is vibrant, life-filled and life-giving – an absolute blessing.  This is one of the friendliest churches I have ever had the honor of attending.  I felt so welcome at ‘at home’ that I forgot that it was my first time attending midway through the service.   What a beautiful reflection of our Father’s open welcoming arms, New Season family! 

The song service was fabulous.  New Season is blessed with a talented group of musicians and worship leaders who did a wonderful job leading.  I am still singing “No more shackles, no more chains, no more bondage, I am free…YEAH” to myself (I don’t sound quite as good, but that’s ok).  To quote Pastor Leonard “I’ve heard a great singer get up and sing a song and I didn’t feel a thing because there was no anointing.”  This was NOT the case here.  It was evident that this worship team was expressing a heart-felt love for the Lord.  (Sidenote: I double dog dare you to attend service and stand still.)

An elder lead a time of intercessory prayer toward the end of the song service.  His openness in sharing about the long years praying for his family struck a chord.  It was especially encouraging to hear that he has seen fruit in recent months and was a great segue to an alter call for a time of intercessory prayer for family members. 

Tithes and offerings are collected at the alter.  This makes giving seem more intentional: you have to get up, go forward and leave your offering.  It was also a great opportunity to greet even more people! 

(Very cool note: New Season is raising funds to purchase new chairs and equipment for their media department to begin broadcasting their services.)

The Bible Confession – Every person in the congregation stands and holds up their Bible and recites / repeats a confession declaring the power in the Word of God and the desire to be alert and receptive to what the Lord is about to do.  I kept my copy in my Bible – a practical way to preach to oneself before feasting on the Word.

Pastor’s message was on forgiveness – giving and receiving.  It was great – timely, applicable, solid.  It was challenging to say the very least…challenging in that, ‘Oh, that’s for me…’ kind of way. 

I cannot overstate the nearly palpable love in the air.  There was a great interaction between Pastor Leonard and his congregation.  He used several individual’s names in his hypothetical examples and kept everyone engaged.  Amens, laughter and expressions of agreement were heard throughout.  It felt like a family conversation.  I was bummed when service concluded…I didn’t want it to end! 

At one point, Pastor Leonard shared an analogy about preparing for a football game versus preparing for worship; we prepare food, wear our jerseys and lose our voices cheering…and we’re not even at the stadium for the game!  How do we prepare to come into the presence of the Lord?  How much preparation do we make?  Are we really entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise?  Great word picture and idea to consider!

I visit a lot of churches.  Many of you have said “I have always wanted to go there.  That sounds amazing.  I wish I could go, but I don’t like to miss Sunday with my church family…”  Well, wish no more –

YOU have an opportunity to join the New Season Christian Center family for a special night of worship.  Our brothers and sisters at New Season Christian are currently participating in a 21-day Daniel Fast.  This time of prayer and fasting will culminate in:

Night of Breakthru Worship

Monday, January 24

6:30PM

I’m attending, and I hope to see you there!  (You’re invited…I told Pastor Leonard that I was brining friends!)

Thank you, New Season Christian Center.  Worshiping with you was a blessing and I look forward to joining you again soon.