Anywhere…
It can happen anywhere, at any moment. It can be scheduled, unscheduled, done with a lot of noise or silently. Sometimes people don’t even know that it is going on, they just know that something is different. It is difficult to explain to people because it is normal at Love City, but some people may only truly experience a few times in their lives. It is being in the Spirit with others, in the body of Christ, the Church. That is why sometimes it is difficult to answer when people ask us if Love City is a church, because no, we do not have a Sunday service or any traditional programming, but every day we are part of the Church.
I think it may be hard for people to understand at times because people are used to having dedicated times and spaces for God and community, they are programmed to see God in those times and spaces and can live with blinders on in the other moments. They are not used to having these encounters in the middle of school, thrifting, or eating dinner. However, these spaces are the buildings and activities that help us enter into those spontaneous, unplanned moments that we are so used to seeing.
Today, a man hobbled into Merriment, exhausted. He had just finished his second day at a new job, he was liking it so far, but it wore him out. As he was looking around the store, he all of a sudden just started singing along to the worship music we had playing. Renewing and rejuvenating him before our eyes. While you may not experience this in your normal shopping trips, it is quite a regular occurrence for us.
On many occasions our team has had beautiful, meaningful, Spirit filled conversations. We have prayed for people. People even ask Shawn if he would baptize them. We do not instigate or set these moments up in any way. It is all Spirit led. It is a natural response of our neighbors upon seeing the purity of God’s Kingdom in the work we are doing. Just as throughout scripture when people had an encounter with God’s presence it led to worship and community, think of Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Paul, John all of them encountered God’s presence and then naturally began to worship and commune with other believers. Our neighbors even give offerings. We don’t pass collection plates or anything like that, but we have two small baskets sitting by both of our cash registers for people who want to contribute to what God is doing in our community. Ever week those baskets are stuffed full. Worship, Prayer, Offerings, and if you are lucky you may wander in one day and hear one of neighbors preaching to the choir about the Kingdom of God.
Love City may never make sense to some people. The way we see God’s Church and our part in it may never make sense to some people. That’s okay, because our neighbors can see it and people understand that something is different here. And not only do they get to see it, but they get to participate in it with us anytime, anywhere…
Ethan
Merriment!!!
Merriment is open for business Thursday and Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday from 11am-4pm. Donations can be dropped off Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-4pm. If you have any questions or to confirm a drop off time please call (502) 901-1105. We hope to see you soon!!
Fish Fry OPEN!!!
Stop by the Fish Fry to grab lunch, or bring the family for dinner, or just grab a bite while you check out the new windows!! Churched Up Tots or a Fried Fish Sandwich. However you do it, We’d love to see you!!!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.