In this week’s video sermon, Bob talks about family, community, and working things out as we go along in this new paradigm with some wonderful scripture included.

This really goes without saying, but what a crazy week we have had! If you would have asked anyone just two weeks ago what their plans for the week were, not a single person would have said: “Well, I think I will spend my time locked indoors, unsuccessfully try to purchase toilet paper, and wonder how much, or how little a global pandemic would affect me.” All this said, it’s crazy how quickly we adapt, and most of us have found our groove, and a new “normal.”

CHRISTIANS TO UNITE AGAINST COVID-19
A world day of prayer is called on Sunday 22 March at 12 noon local
time.
All Christians are asked to pray at home from 12 noon to 1pm, covering
the globe in 24 hours. Pray for:
1. The stop of the spread of the virus
2. The recovery of those already infected
3. Peace for the families who lost loved ones
4. Restoration of the economies of the world
5. Wisdom for the governments who have to manage the outbreak.
Never before has there been a reason to call ALL Christians around the
world to a global day of prayer against a threat that affects the entire
world.
Please let everyone know.
Let’s blanket the world in prayer.

In this, our first ever virtual church service, Bob shares with us some thoughts about drawing strength from God’s word in these strange and confusing times. Please click the image below to hear Bob’s sermon.

Some encouraging thoughts that have been shared by our members:

C = Celebrate God’s Goodness
A = Ask God for Help
L = Leave your concerns with God
M = Meditate on Good Things

A Prayer by Max Lucado from Philippians 4:4-7

Dear Lord,

We’re still hoping we’ll wake up. We’re still hoping we’ll open a sleepy eye and think, “What a horrible dream. How could this have happened?”

Today is an auspicious day for the Warrenton Church of Christ as we celebrate the official installation of three new Elders. These men have joined our existing three Elders to assist in the grand and noble task of leading the Warrenton Church of Christ congregation.

In the church’s more than 50 year history, we have never been so honored to have six men, with the support of their wives, stepping up to take on this role: the weight of which is not lost on any member of this family.  

Brother’s Bruce, George, and Perry, we thank each of you for making this solemn commitment to serve us in this way and to join our Elders in this challenging and deeply selfless task. We also thank Cathy, Lorraine, and Susie for your love and support for these men as they step into leadership. We appreciate all that you do, and will do in the future to ensure the growth, and spiritual health of this family.

We shall be keeping all of you in our prayers as you adapt to your new and important roles in this church.  God bless you all.

More than 50 years ago, Tom Seals started a small church in Warrenton, VA with a handful of other christians. These were the first meetings of what has become a wonderful church family, with missions, Elders, a full time pulpit minister, deacons, a vibrant preschool, and a church building that has stood now for 50 years.

In this video, Tom Seals honors us with a visit for the homecoming celebrations of the Koonce family’s return from 22 years of mission work in Africa, and the 50th anniversary of breaking ground for the church building. In this video Tom will share with us his thoughts on where this church should go in the next 50 years.

After 22 years in the African mission field, we are blessed and honored to celebrate the return of our dear brother and sister Marty and Louise marking the end of a very long and incredible service first in Togo, and later in post-genocide Rwanda.

We are so blessed to have them back with us in good health and good spirits after such an amazing and rewarding mission taking the word, and the hope of Christ Jesus to a regions of the world so different, and so deeply and permanently impacted by the genocide in 1994.

It is impossible to imagine what the people of Rwanda endured during those fateful months, but you can begin to appreciate the impact when you listen to Marty talk about the spirit of the amazing people he has worked with during the years of his Rwandan mission. Please take a look at this video of Marty’s message as he recounts the mission years and his family’s life on the continent of Africa. You will be blessed by this message.

This past weekend we were blessed to have so many things to celebrate with our church brothers and sisters. The homecoming of the Koonce family after 22 years on missions in Africa, 50 years since we broke ground on the church building, a visit from our founding Minister Tom Seals and many others from the earliest days of the church. And if that wasn’t enough, the baptism of James, meaning we also got to welcome a new brother to our midst.

Fifty years ago we broke ground on the Warrenton Church of Christ building. To help us celebrate that event we were honored by a visit from our founding Minister Dr. Tom Seals. He shared memories with us of the early days when the church was just a handful of people meeting in what was then the PNC bank building. It was such an incredible joy and privilage to have the man who started this wonderful church joining us on this auspicious day. For those of you who could not be with us, or those who would simply love to hear his message again, we have provided a video of Tom’s wonderful narrative of years past and the simple beginnings.

So without further ado, enjoy this video (more to follow this week) as Bob Kolodner introduces Tom Seals.