|
Orchard Church - A
Place to Connect...
Church shopping? How many of us
have used that term when looking for a house of worship to call
our own? We began our journey together in 1998, newly married,
and looking for a church that matched our spiritual values of
mission, ministry and music. As Stephen Covey says, “Begin with
the end in min.” In Orchard we found our home. We knew that
marriage and life would challenge us but we were strengthened by
the love and faith our new Orchard family brought us.
Our first life challenge occurred right around the celebration
of our first anniversary when we found ourselves expecting our
first child. Some complications occurred and we celebrated our
anniversary in the hospital. Shortly thereafter, our son,
Matthew, was born 12 weeks early, weighing 2 lbs. 9 oz. If
you’re wondering exactly how small that is – David’s wedding
ring could fit all the way up Matthew’s arm onto his shoulder!
We found ourselves in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit visiting
him daily for the next 8 weeks. During this time, we received
many cards, prayers and well wishes from Orchard friends known
and unknown to us. It was reassuring to see his name listed in
the weekly prayer concerns as we worshipped each Sunday. We were
touched and grateful for the pastoral visits we received. We’re
certain our faith and membership in the “Orchard Family” played
a key role in Matthew’s survival.
Our faith was also tested on September 11, 2001, when our
daughter’s baptism was scheduled for the next Sunday. We
questioned if the overwhelming horror and tragedy of the moment
took precedence over this seemingly insignificant event of
Madison’s baptism. Orchard helped us to realize that … “hope for
you is firmly ground, knowing that as you are sharers of our
suffering … so are you sharers of our comfort”; (2 Corinthians
1:7). We decided to proceed with her baptism, providing a ritual
of hope for the future.
Currently life continues to challenge our family, community and
country in many ways. We are adjusting to job changes and
Matthew’s continued growth and development. We celebrate with
our community as it embraces its rich diversity, and pray for
the well being of our country at war and the trying economic
times. We are grateful for the constant reminder of hope Orchard
provides. Being grounded in a household of faith such as Orchard
constantly reassures and reminds us “Don’t let go!”
TOP |
