The last three months have thrown GSCC in a flurry of activities triggered by the excitement of acquiring its own temple of worship. A lot of historic firsts has happened: namely, the first Sunday worship in the boat, the first baby dedication, the first performance of the children’s choir, the kick off of Kids Sunday School, the first Christmas worship and most significant, the building dedication service. First experiences, it is said, become the prototype for their categories. They become the base against which related experiences are measured. The Herd, by God’s grace, is fortunate to have recorded these historic firsts which happened in God’s appointed time-“kairos” moments least expected by us in the congregation.
With spirits buoyed up by the imminent acquisition of its own church facility, GSCC marked its 6th founding anniversary in the first week of October. The consummation of the sale and the approval of the building permit realized a wish for which collective efforts became earnest only a year ago. The arrival of the boat confirmed God’s mandate for GSCC: set out to the deep and cast the net in Milpitas. Shortly after officially turning over the leased facility, GSCC moved into its own house of worship where renovation was nearly completed preparatory to holding the first Sunday service in and dedication of the building. Pastor Virgil Fernando articulated the challenge tersely: “The Boat Is Here, Now What?” His call for unity and harmony is succintly expressed in the nursery song “Row, row, your boat, gently down the stream.” An oar passed around among the congregation added urgency to the challenge. The pastor has always driven home his message with consistent simplicity as in the metaphor of a growing plant transplanted from a small pot to a bigger pot. Remember Jesus comparing the kingdom of heaven to a growing seed?
Linked indispensably to the privilege of owning “The Boat,” is responsible stewardship GSCC has to carry out as it looks forward to Year 7. Pastor Virgil spoke of the church facility as a “monument to memorialize victories that we have received in Christ.” Pastor Dan Griffiths, as he offered the prayer of dedication, noted GSCC’s palpable culture of love and foresaw its growth. Years from now, we shall look back and assess what GSCC shall have accomplished in its journey. Collated individual personal narratives will establish how GSCC will have responded to the challenge and how it shall have faithfully pursued its mandate as stated in Luke 14:23 “ Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.”
Meanwhile, let us all have a fill of the Season of Grace as we strive to lead spirit-filled lives in gratitude for God’s greatest gift of all – Jesus. From all of us in The Herd: Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
