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For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
-Psalm 100:5, NIV
Yesterday morning I was reading my Bible. I was using the guide we handed out in the fall of 2016 when we dedicated our new buildings. Dr. Tom Tewell preached that day and we shared commemorative bookmarks that contained "Fifty Passages from the Bible." These were some of Tom's favorite passages that were first shared in Tom's home church in New York City, following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. (You can still pick one up in the church office.) The passage I read yesterday was Psalm 100 which begins with those great words, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth." Another translation says, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord." (I always found comfort in those words for those of us who don't sing that well!)
However, the verse that caught my attention this time was the one above that ends, "his [God's] faithfulness continues through all generations." We had been talking in our staff meeting about the intergenerational emphasis of Johns Creek Presbyterian Church. Our "Dare 2 Dream" long-range plan focuses on being a church in which people from all generations come together for worship, fellowship, and service. This is at the core of who we are - our identity as a church. I have found that people who are looking for this kind of connection and community are drawn to a church family like ours.
We had a great example of intergenerational church life last Sunday night with our Chili Cook-Off and Talent Show. For the first time in a while, twice as many people showed up as made reservations! The Great Hall was full, the food was great, and I saw people smiling as they visited around the tables -- talking with friends old and new. On stage we saw talent from some of our youngest, to our youth, to those in the middle of the age spectrum, to some who have lots of life experience. People cheered for everyone in such an enthusiastically supportive way. I am so grateful that God's goodness and love could be seen "through all generations."
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