William Jefferson Clinton was about to be reelected to a second term in the Oval Office. 1996 would see the debut of ESPN, MSNBC, and The O’Reilly Factor. The New York Yankees would win the World Series.
Topping the music charts was Celine Dion singing “Because You Loved Me.” The Spice Girls had the number two hit of the year with “Wannabe.” But sitting alone at number one was the “Macarena.” In 1996, a house in Seattle would set you back $148,000.
The sun rose on October 20th, 1996. It was a Sunday morning in Freeland, Washington. The people of God at TLC had been up early; they were excited to get to church that morning. For the better part of a decade they had dreamed of this day. For the better part of a year they had pounded nails, cleaned up the construction site, dug ditches, cooked food, painted walls, and written checks. After a last-minute battle with the Island County Building department, we obtained our occupancy permit.
On October 20th, 1996 we worshiped for the first time in our Sanctuary. We will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary this Sunday with a grand Reformation Celebration. So how should we celebrate? Blessed to be a Blessing — we are having a food drive for our Island neighbors. We will be attempting to fill our church van to overflowing. We will be sharing from our abundance. We will be giving thanks to God by giving back to the community.
I was looking at the bulletin for October 20th, 1996 this morning. There were many wonderful musical selections and there were lots of flowers. Fifty-two people dedicated flowers that day. Thirty of those fifty-two are no longer with us. Twenty years from now many of us will not be here, but the work of TLC will continue because of our faithfulness today. The mission of TLC is God’s work! We are so very blessed to share the journey with dear saints, to worship in sacred space, to contemplate God’s amazing grace, as we change the world together.
Not sure what the Reformation is all about? This Sunday I will be telling the incredible story of the Reformation. We have so much to celebrate!
See you in Church.
Pastor Jim
