It's LABOR Day Sunday

Traditions.  I love 'em.  One activity I anticipate year-after-year is our LABOR Day Sunday of Service.  Our little church, Fellowship Bible Church Knoxville, has made it a tradition for our body to serve in the Knoxville community as our worship service on Labor Day weekend.  (Actually, we had not been at the church very long when we experienced this for the first time four years ago.  It made us stop and say, "This church is serious about serving.")  This year our body split between the Tennessee Veteran's Home and Water Angels.  Our team of all ages stationed ourselves at Water Angels ministry to the homeless. 

We picked up trash, swept the parking lot, cleaned the interior of the church, and Jeff - the clothing expert - led the organization of the clothing room. 

While many were working on the church building, several of us went to work on a painting project.  Stephanie had chosen a verse to be painted on the outside of the warehouse.   Franklin had been planning this project since before May, but it never worked for him to do it this summer.  How beautiful for our fellowship of believers to all pick up a paintbrush to deliver hope on this wall.  Franklin was thrilled to see everything come to fruition.  He chose the font, laminated the letters, and helped get everything ready for the big project.  It was amazing to see this wall transform in a matter of hours! 

Honestly, I felt like our church was on a mini-mission trip together.   We were huddled under each other, weaving our paint brushes in to stroke the wall any way possible!  Joe and Debbie Lively delivered our humor for the day, and we laughed together that "God does not neglect the year."  Debbie's line read, "He does not turn, they call for help."  (Yes, we were thankful it was not painted permanently this way.)  Joe's meticulous measuring made everything straight and centered.  Thank you, Joe!

A few cars stopped and encouraged as they read the verse.  Of course, I yelled a loud, "Whoo-Hoo!" after them.  (Imagine that?)

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.   Isaiah 58:12

Franklin's dream became reality.  Proclaim HIS truth!

Other unexpected ministry happened as well.   Jeannie, is a hearing impaired woman who loves the Lord and comes to this ministry frequently.  This particular Sunday morning she walked well over a mile to come to Water Angels for prayer.  Her ear was infected and she could not insert her hearing aid. Three women prayed with her, Amy, Heather, and Cathy.  Normally, no one arrives at Water Angels on Sundays until 1:00 pm to set up for the afternoon service.  However, God knew what He'd planned."

Later this same day, Jeannie testified at the service that her ears had opened up during the prayer and she was able to hear some sounds.  We praise God for answered prayers!  (Sorry, I could not get this photo upright.)

What a wonderful to serve with our sisters and brothers!  Thank you all!