On September 27, I was privileged to participate in the 150th anniversary celebration of God’s enduring faithfulness to Tabernacle Advent Christian Church in Lenoir, N.C. The Sunday worship service was just one part of a celebration weekend that was months in planning. Saturday, the church hosted a community fun day with bounce houses, yard games, food and live bluegrass music.
The Sunday worship service was full, featuring a church history from Mr. Alan Sherrill and a time of memorial from Mrs. Liz Callaway. I had the honor of sharing a brief message from Ephesians 2:1-10 focusing on God’s faithfulness in the past. Appalachian regional superintendent Rev. Matt Broadway preached a short message from Ephesians 2:19-22 on God’s faithfulness in the present, and Tabernacle’s pastor, Rev. Josh Baker, preached a brief message from Ephesians 3:14-21 considering the promises of God’s future faithfulness to the church. Each sermon was followed by a choir special, a focused time of prayer and a congregational hymn.
Afterwards, a wonderful potluck meal was served under the church’s picnic shelter. Participants were invited to linger around the table on the beautiful fall day and to visit the museum of the church’s history members of the church lovingly and expertly curated for the celebration.
The weekend ended Sunday night with a memorial service at the church cemetery and more than 300 luminaries, one for each grave in the cemetery. People shared memories of many of the saints who had a significant influence on their lives but now rested in their graves awaiting the return of the Lord.
All in all, it was a full and blessed weekend of celebrating the Lord’s faithfulness to the church over the last 150 years and looking forward to what he might do in the future.
