As we prepared for the event that morning you heard colorful plastic eggs being snapped together, about 5000 in total, before they were thrown out on our front lawn. You smelled the grill being fired up for another great picnic.
You heard our 100 Days of Summer music playlist in the background setting the stage for a worshipful day. You smelled the sugar rising from the 200 candy bags that were sitting on the welcome table. You saw several of us setting up the Easter Story Egg sets on tables in the courtyard. So much preparation from so many from our church family goes into a day like this.
We talk about this gathering being one where we build a bridge to our community. Both as a whole and on an individual level - person to person. As I continue to hear the stories of that morning I am convinced that this is exactly what we did. From a family who has now come to 3 community events in a row who were recognized by a familiar face when they came back (Fezziwig's Christmas Party, Elf Movie Night, Easter Egg Hunt), to conversations that were had with families who were putting together the Easter Story Egg sets - we are building a bridge of relationship.
I don't know where God will take these bridges that we are building, that's up to Him. It is on us to be faithful with who and what he puts in front of us. This is what we do together.
So thank you for praying generously, for snapping eggs together, for putting baggies full of 11 tiny pieces together for the Easter Story Egg sets, for cooking hotdogs and making cupcakes, for stepping out of your comfort zone to meet someone new, for capturing the day in pictures, for decorating the tables, for donating candy, and SO MUCH MORE!
Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.”
Matthew 10:5-8 MSG
