Community Churches Outdoor Service
by
Mary Bishop
- This three part harmony
day began a few months ago when some pastors gathered to discuss a day of
worship. After a few meetings, it grew into this beautiful
event. The Assembly of God, Azalea Glen Faith Center and the Olivet
Presbyterian Church came together in a green field next to the banks of Cow
Creek with joy and anticipation.
There were about 150 people there with each church
represented, other churches were there and people came as far as Portland,
Mulino, Happy Valley, Wilderville, Grants Pass, Azalea and Glendale.
The day's temperature was heating up but there were graceful old trees to
shade some of us and shade covers over chairs and tables for most everyone.
Buck began the day singing an original song he had
finished just that morning. He sang of God's world and the marvelous
things we experience each day when God is with us. Pastor Dan Fleming
welcomed us all and the praise team started singing and worshiping.
The team included people from each church. We sang Lord I Lift Your
Name On High, As a Deer, Blessed Be Your Name, Give Me Jesus and Amazing
Grace. Many of us had tears of happiness as we sang along.
As the praise team was singing, I looked up and a dove
had just landed in a tree across the creek. The dove stayed and
watched us and listened to the music and flew off after many of us had
enjoyed seeing it. What a fantastic symbol of baptism. There
were many Swallowtail Butterflies flitting about as another symbol of this
magnificent day.
Then Pastor Terry Bess spoke to us from the Psalm 133
which is all about unity and harmony between Christians.
He likened the dew of Hermon on Mt. Zion in his sermon and we all focused on
the nearby mountain. This psalm is so moving and I do hope everyone
will have a chance to read it. When Terry was through, Buck gave us a
short enthusiastic talk about the true miracle of all of us meeting
together, and we were praising God all the day long.
Now the time for the baptisms, each pastor had members of
his own church to baptize. Buck baptized Kandace Allen, Bryan Schram,
and the 3 Gendron children, Makiah, Braeden and Angelique. Words fail
me in describing this holy event in the clear sparkling coolish waters of
Cow Creek.
The baptisms were followed with fellowship and a
potluck. Then we all gathered our belongings to head home. This
wonderful event was brought together by the 3 pastors and we want to most
especially thank Andy and Marian Owens for furnishing us this lovely green
field by the banks of Cow Creek. We look forward to meeting there
again next year. We don't know if the temperatures will be quite as
hot as they were today but after all, we are all on fire for the Lord.
All of us must take time to absorb the beauty of
inspiration of this day.
"I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:8