June 2019 Newsletter

Solomon’s Porch

I have fond memories of a porch. In our home in West Chester years ago we had an exterior 3-season room on the back of the house. We called it the porch. It was a bright, comfortable room we shared for conversation and relaxation. It was a place we took guests and from there we had access out to a brick patio. It was one of our favorite rooms.

There is a curious feature associated with the Jerusalem Temple called Solomon’s Porch. It was an outdoor colonnade next to Herod’s Temple, which was the center of worship in Jerusalem. The porch was an exterior structure forming a covered approach to the eastern entrance of the Temple. It had a wooden roof supported by a double row of columns at regular intervals forming an open gallery.

This was an important area for the Jewish people because it was one of the last remnants of the original temple built by Solomon. It was centrally located and one of the few public places in Jerusalem that was large enough to accommodate a crowd. It was also where people passed through or gathered to socialize and discuss before or after their sacrifices and prayers at the Temple.

Jesus performed miracles and taught on the Porch (John 10:23). So, it’s no surprise then that the Porch became a good location for the early Christians to meet. The first church gathered on the Porch for teaching and shared the Gospel freely there (Acts 3:11, 5:12).

A church lobby shares some of the same purposes Solomon’s Porch did for the early church. Among church facility designers, the church lobby is considered to be the most critical environment in the church building for sharing the Gospel and welcoming guests. It’s design creates a first impression about what we’re like and what we value. Many guests decide if they’ll return to a church within the first ten minutes of their visit – much of that might be spent in the lobby.

Of course, if you’re a long-time member, the lobby is probably the last thing you care about. It’s just the room you pass through to get to the auditorium. That’s because you have friends here and want to talk with them and have come to worship. But a visitor may know no one and need help navigating to the bathroom or kids check-in. A cup of coffee spells hospitality and a couch says “comfortable,” even if they don’t sit down. They are looking all around our “porch” forming impressions about who we are and what we value.

I hope you’re getting excited about some of the spaces we’re renovating and updating. Not because you necessarily need them but because you care what first time guests need to feel comfortable. It’s all about hospitality and making space to share our love for Christ with all those who enter. I hope you’ll do all you can to support the work.

-Pastor Richard

Graduate Sunday is June 2.

Child Dedication service is June 16.

"Lunch on Us" for new visitors is June 23.

What do Deborah, Barak, Gideon and Samson have in common? If you’re not sure ask one of our elementary students. Faith Kids worship and Faith Friends studied the Judges in May. They have learned how God used a woman to rescue the Israelites, how He used cowardly Gideon and a mere 300 men to defeat the Midianites and Samson’s strength to defeat the Philistines. Faith Kids Worship were taught about the Judges, how “...everyone did what was right in their own eyes” Judges 21:25. Ask your favorite 1st-5th grader to tell you about the cycle of sin and deliverance that is a theme of the book.

What a gift it is to instruct the children of Faith from God’s word. Please continue to pray for our children and teachers.

The 3^rd time was the charm! The skies finally cleared enough for the Women of Faith to gather for our (rescheduled, and then rescheduled again!) hike at Newlin Grist Mill on May 11. We enjoyed being together to explore the muddy yet beautiful trails and then headed back for our delayed Cinco de Mayo taco fest! We really had a terrific time together and are planning to do this again in the Fall. Have a suggestion for another place to explore? Let us know!

Ministries are winding down but we are looking ahead to the coming ministry year. Mark your calendars for the return of our 1 Day Women’s Retreat on January 21, 2020. We will spend the day on West Chester University’s campus with Ginny Bryant, wife, mom and missionary with New Tribes Mission in Senegal.  More details to come and registration will open in September.  We would love to hear your suggestions for book club and other ministry events as well as have some new faces join our leadership team and be a part of planning our events. If you’re interested, please let us know by emailing us at womenoffaith@faithcc.info. 

Over the last 5 years the Network has been attempting to operate as a "food co-op".  The idea was to "empower" clients by allowing them to operate the Network versus receiving a handout.   At that time we received training and attempted to implement a "food co-op" model.

However, our clients are not unemployed with hours of time on their hands to help run a co-op. But rather, our clientele would be classified as the "working poor" with a few who are disabled or elderly.  

The working poor, elderly, and disabled arrive at the Network exhausted and discouraged.  They do not need to be "empowered" because they are already using every last ounce of "power" they have.  I believe these clients need a moment to feel served and cared for.  I believe they will see Christ through our service to and for them.  

This change in philosophy is why I have been asking for more volunteers lately.  Praise the Lord for the volunteers who came out on our two Tuesday evenings this month! They made Tuesdays Terrific!

One week ago we wrapped up a great year of youth group. Below is a picture from our last youth group during our large water balloon toss. 

We are excited to announce that Wild Week will be taking place August 12-16. For anyone interested in helping at Wild Week in any capacity please email us at youth@faitcc.info. 

At the end of this month, June 30 - July 5,we will head to SHACC with a group of 14 students. We are excited to see how the Lord uses new experiences to challenge and help us grow in our faith.
Below is our look of relief, having completed our first year as Youth Leaders. Pray for us as we rest and recharge for summer activities and plan for the next school year!

Several months ago, we asked our two foreign missionaries to fill out an information packet so we could get to know them better and help care for them in a more refined way than just sending a monthly donation. The MacLean's sent us their list first and we promptly gathered together some supplies and mailed them to Italy. The box included hard pretzels for Scott, Reeses Peanut Butter Eggs for Karis, Peanut Butter for the whole family and some other Easter candies. Here are some pictures of Karis and Sharon enjoying their treats. 

The Bryant's, our missionaries in Africa, are coming home for an entire year, and we are asking you to help us bless them with some fun treats as well. The list has everything from their favorite candies, to their favorite candle/perfume scents, to books they would love to read, to their favorite foods, to crafts/hobbies they enjoy, to new shoes for the kids, and a soft blanket for each member of the family to use this coming winter. The prices are varied giving everyone the ability to purchase something off the list, if you wanted to do so. These items are just suggestions based on their list of preferences. I hope that you'll join us in creating a wonderful "Welcome Home" packet for the Bryant's. You can shop using the link above. If you would like to write them a greeting card, you can leave a greeting card in the church office to be sent with the package as well. Thanks to everyone who has already purchased items and had them delivered to the church! 

Whether you actually make it to the beach or spend your time imaging that you are at the beach even though you are working, I pray that this summer is restful and relaxing for you all.