I mentioned this previously in one or two of my posts, but I thought it would be a good idea to devote a post to it because it's something important to me. Not everyone reading this will agree, but that's OK. We're allowed to have our own opinions and I won't give you a hard time if yours differs from mine. These are the things that make each one of us unique.
Last year, I decided that I needed the fellowship of others who share the same religious beliefs as I do. I attended the First Baptist Church of North Hollywood for the first third of my life and was comfortable there. We had a great youth group and did a lot of fun and interesting things. To this day I'm still connected to many of the members of that group. Unfortunately, once I got out of high school, there wasn't much of a college age group at the church, though we had a small group briefly. But that group disbanded as our lives got busier and people moved away. I got married and moved away myself, though I returned to visit the church whenever something was going on at Mom's.
For whatever reason, I never connected to a church once Lori and I settled in Camarillo. Thought about it many times, but thoughts are only valid when some kind of action follows if necessary.
Many years after living in Camarillo, I started going shooting once a year with James and Mike. (I worked with James; Mike is a friend of James'.) They attend the First Baptist Church of Camarillo, which is only a mile from home. I knew about the church, but for some reason never stopped in. After learning that James and Mike went there, I went to a Sunday morning service. I ended up going a number of times and got to know some of the members. Each year at Christmastime, this church puts on what they call a "drive thru Nativity." Displays depicting the Christmas story are set up, and visitors simply drive their cars through the parking lot and stop at each scene. Church volunteers read from Scripture relating to the events of the Christmas story, and guests receive a pen or other little gift with the church's contact info on it once they reach the last display. My first time going through it was in 2009, right about the time I started this blog. If you want to read that post, click here.
For some reason, I didn't go through it since that time until this past Christmas. I was driving near the church when I noticed that the place was lit up like a movie premiere was going on. What could be going on at the church on a Saturday night? Then I remembered the drive thru Nativity. Even though I had seen it—and the story of the Nativity doesn't exactly change over the years—I turned around and went back. (It took awhile due to Camarillo's apparent phobia of people making U-turns and prohibiting them in so many places, but that's for another post.) I turned into the driveway and got into the queue. This time, I knew some of the members, so getting to see them while visiting added a little to the event. Music director Tim greeted me at one scene and mentioned that he wouldn't be at church the next day because he was going to Acapulco. I joked that they sing without music there (play on the phrase "a cappella"), but I'm not sure he heard me.
I've missed going on a few Sundays because I slept too long or just didn't feel well enough to go. (Usually the "not feeling well" is the cause of "sleeping too long.") Not going makes me feel like I've missed something. The service starts at 10:30 and usually runs upward of 90 minutes including the announcements and such at the end of the service. Then James, Mike, his wife and son, and I often go out somewhere for lunch. This makes for a nice Sunday routine.
Everyone (so far) at church is kind and friendly. I can always expect a hug from Dottie when I enter the building upon arrival. Traditional and modern praise songs comprise the music. At this writing, the church awaits the arrival of its new pastor, Dr Rick Kelley and his family. Former pastor Dr Dan Nelson retired last summer after 35 years of service there. Until pastor Kelley arrives, some of the church deacons have been filling in with sermons. Some of those guys could be pastors in their own right, sharing inspiring and interesting messages.
As of this post, I haven't officially joined the church, though I have spoken with a couple of deacons during a recent visit to my home. It looks like there are some things that I can get involved with right off the bat.
Maybe this is what I've needed to kick my life up a notch or twelve.
