1 out of 1242

If you read Ed's blog yesterday, I'm sure you know that today we're thanking God for the largest non-holiday attendance in CCC history for the 3rd straight week. And while it's an awesome thing that God sent 1242 people through our doors, let me tell you about just one. Just before the 10:30 service a woman walks into the church foyer with a terrified look on her face. In her hands, she is clutching one of our "church for the rest of us" cards (the one with the beer guys). As she approaches one of our staff members, she reaches out her hand to reveal the crumpled card and says, "This is why I'm here." Her hands are literally shaking. It's obvious she's not sure if church is a place where she belongs. Before she takes her seat in the auditorium she is escorted through our new attenders area and introduced to no less than 4 0r 5 CCCers who love her and reassure her that she's in the right place. After the service is over, she walks back out to the new attenders table and she looks like a completely different person. She's no longer shaking. Her head is held high. She grabs a cup of coffee and confidently speaks to all of us who were there. As she passes by Grand Central on her way out the door to pick up her first timer gift, she proudly tells the attendant, "I will definitely be back next Sunday!!!!" Another one of God's lost kids took a step towards home yesterday and, to her surprise, found grace and love when she was fully expecting judgment and rejection. She is our mission. And I have no words to express how blessed I am to be on that mission with all of you!