Graduation Night

"...I will build my church..." Matthew 16:18

Every year around this time we have the joy of celebrating the culmination of many years of prayer (on the part of moms and dads) and hard work in the lives of young people as they graduate from high school or college. Multiple weekends are filled with painfully long ceremonies and packed-out backyard parties as we congratulate those who are "the future" of our families, churches, and communities.

Well, just last week (on Monday, April 25th, to be precise) New Beginnings had its own "Graduation Night". About 45 people from our church traveled to Pinebrook Bible Conference Center in East Stroudsburg, PA, to attend a worship service where New Beginnings was received into the Bible Fellowship Church as one of two brand new self-supporting churches in our denomination. (A special word of congratulations to Tim Zuck and the Saucon Community Bible Fellowship Church for reaching this major milestone too!) It was an exciting and emotional night as Sara, Harvey, and Harry all shared the story of God's providence in leading our fellowship to that night.

The core group of New Beginnings BFC, about 25 persons strong, met for their very first "official" service on Sunday, October 3, 2004, in the home of Carl and Sonja Rentschler. Six-and-a-half years later, by the sovereign guidance and grace of God, New Beginnings is a vibrant community of about 140 people who are learning day-by-day what it means to love God and love others. Our grace-filled curriculum has been a good mixture of moments of healing, helping, hurting, and honoring in Christ. The Lord has been working in us and through us to expand His kingdom and build His church in Woodbury Heights, NJ.

Here a a few snapshots of our "Graduation Night"...