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| safeharbornaz.org |
This week the pendulum swung the other way and we discovered a community that was probably one of the smallest we visited to date. Safe Harbor Church is centrally located on a main thoroughfare within easy walking distance of several multi and single-family housing developments.
SHC provided a welcoming environment as we were greeted by a number of congregants and the pastor prior to the service. There was a comfortable familiarity among those in attendance and we recognized and sang to two young women for their birthdays and an older couple for their anniversary. The auditorium was well lit with both artificial and diffused natural light. A projection screen was used during the pre-service announcements, while the audience read aloud the a Apostles' Creed, and as a visual aide during the message. Music was provided by a seven instrument orchestra and three vocalists, and was made up entirely of Fanny Crosby classics. In addition a special piece was performed by an eight voice choir with a solo by the pastor. All-in-all nearly half in attendance participated directly in some way during the service.
The message was a continuation of a series that is looking at eight specific signs highlighted in the Gospel of John. As stated these signs were included "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (Jn 20:31). This week we took a look at the miracle of Jesus giving sight to a man born blind (Jn 9).
To begin with the pastor dispelled the myth that tragedy or misfortune only comes to those who sin, a common belief in Jesus time that persists even today. Like all of the signs that Jesus performed this one was designed to fulfill specific prophetic marks for the coming messiah that would have been understood by his Jewish community. In addition to the messianic fulfillment the pastor challenged us to consider another element to this event. Namely that "everything Jesus touches, changes."
SHC offered a casual, yet traditional, environment. The congregants were warm and welcoming and, while they didn't highlight it, there was evidence that they are involved in serving those who are less fortunate in our community.
SHC provided a welcoming environment as we were greeted by a number of congregants and the pastor prior to the service. There was a comfortable familiarity among those in attendance and we recognized and sang to two young women for their birthdays and an older couple for their anniversary. The auditorium was well lit with both artificial and diffused natural light. A projection screen was used during the pre-service announcements, while the audience read aloud the a Apostles' Creed, and as a visual aide during the message. Music was provided by a seven instrument orchestra and three vocalists, and was made up entirely of Fanny Crosby classics. In addition a special piece was performed by an eight voice choir with a solo by the pastor. All-in-all nearly half in attendance participated directly in some way during the service.
The message was a continuation of a series that is looking at eight specific signs highlighted in the Gospel of John. As stated these signs were included "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (Jn 20:31). This week we took a look at the miracle of Jesus giving sight to a man born blind (Jn 9).
To begin with the pastor dispelled the myth that tragedy or misfortune only comes to those who sin, a common belief in Jesus time that persists even today. Like all of the signs that Jesus performed this one was designed to fulfill specific prophetic marks for the coming messiah that would have been understood by his Jewish community. In addition to the messianic fulfillment the pastor challenged us to consider another element to this event. Namely that "everything Jesus touches, changes."
- God became man to turn creatures into sons; not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man.
- Jesus didn't come to merely comfort sinners; he came to transform them into saints.
- Some folks have a "Frebreze" Christianity-they aren't really clean, they just smell that way.
- Jesus doesn't just cover up the sin; he purges it.
Ultimately, he stated, this was "not just a miracle of healing; it was a miracle of creation."
The pastor then led us in a time of reflection and communion open to all in attendance.
SHC offered a casual, yet traditional, environment. The congregants were warm and welcoming and, while they didn't highlight it, there was evidence that they are involved in serving those who are less fortunate in our community.
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