We want to share an answer to prayer as we tell you about our Sabbath Day worship services. (yes, this is a bit long, but I wanted to write it down to share with you and for myself also.)
On Saturdays we drive out to the Blackfoot Reserve, to the city of Standoff, about a 40 minute drive, 61 kilometers.
We enjoy watching the rolling hills, the wheat and hay fields and the appearance of the Rocky mountains as they loom closer each kilometer we drive. Yes, there is snow on the tops of some of those peaks, recent snow.
We arrive at Lighthouse Church, our second visit, and we are greeted as good friends, with hugs and handshakes. Our new Blackfoot friends are arriving for worship on Saturday, and it is a very relaxed, slow time. A time to unwind and turn our cares over to the One who always cares for His children.
This morning the Sunday School teacher is sick and Ruby asks if I would help with any children, ages 2 to 12 who may come. Our lesson this morning was from Psalm 91, we talked about dreams and nightmares and then read the Psalm from a picture book. We learned that God is with us no matter where we are and what is happening.
The children and I agreed that it is great to have a God we can call on no matter what is happening in our lives. Then we proceeded to have craft time - we made lanterns out of construction paper that had Jesus shining the way ahead of us - to be there when we are afraid or in trouble.
Howard and I first visited the Lighthouse Church, started by Pastor Ruby over 20 years ago, on September 12th, 2015. Howard had met Ruby earlier that week and she was very interested in having us come out and visit the church. She believed that the congregation would be very receptive to someone with addiction Counseling skills who is a Christian joining them in worship.
About 10 years ago, Lighthouse Church was given a building and had it transported from a city to the east of Lethbridge all the way to the city of Standoff on the Blackfoot Reserve, west of Lethbridge - to land owned by a member of the tribe who is a believer in Jesus. He and his wife are also leaders of this congregation on the reserve.
We weren't sure what to expect that first visit, but we were welcomed warmly by all of the members of the congregation who are members of the Blackfoot tribe. We joined in their worship which is led by Andrew. Andrew plays the guitar - very well - and we join in as we learn the words to his songs. Many play tambourines and clap as we praise God with our singing. Then Pastor Morton welcomes us and leads us in a time of greeting everyone in the church and in prayer and praise. There was a time for sharing what God has done in peoples lives. Last week we heard from a young lady who struggles with grief in the passing of her sister, and from a young man who is starting a youth group in the church and in the community.
There is time for communion on some Sabbath days and we come forward to get the elements and return to our seats to partake together when all are served.
Then there is a time for prayer, Howard was invited to join the other leaders, including Pastor Ruby, Pastor Morton and a leader from the Messianic church in Lethbridge who will share a message with us later in the service. It was humbling and uplifting to see many come forward for a time to pray with others. I was very uncomfortable that first time, but was sure that God was making me so on purpose. I had a time of "prayer in my chair" and committed to praying for those who were coming forward.
After communion, a message from God's word is shared with us by a leader from the Messianic Church in Lethbridge who comes several times a month to lead. His family opens our time of hearing God's word by leading us in a Jewish hymn. That first message was from the book of Ruth, how God provided for Naomi and Ruth in so many ways.
The service ended with another time of prayer and song, then we all had a fellowship meal together in their gathering area. There was plenty of food, even though I brought none. It was a special time of getting to know individuals in the congregation. A time to put our listening skills into action.
I am humbled by those who are willing to share their stories with us. So many stories of grief, many stories of those struggling with addictions, but also stories of how Jesus has been working in peoples lives in mighty ways.
We are not sure what the future holds for us as we commit to worshiping at Lighthouse Church on Saturdays. We ask for your prayers as we seek to follow where God is leading us.
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