Today I began visiting Lancaster churches while on my sabbactical. I want to see how our neighbor/fellow ministries "do church" and point out highlights and observations as a fellow pastor looks at churches as a visitor. I went to Grace Church of Willow Valley and happened to hit Grace’s annual Peace Officers Memorial service. This is a staple in our community and something I have admired Pastor John Smith for making a Lancaster church tradition. I was blessed to be there and it was a complete accident. Grace has an early service called “Traditions” which was in process when I arrived. It was sparsely attended and mostly older saints, thus the name. While they are in worship, there are a variety of ABF classes happening. I stuck my head in and they all seemed full and the people engaged. That was encouraging in a day when SS and Adult Ed seems on the down turn.
They had one 10:30am service for the special celebration. Usually they have two services – a blended and younger gen service – I am not sure how they handle the preaching -- maybe they use video link? They used their new Family Life Center. A wonderful facility. The lobby is a café type set up and the meeting area is spacious and bright. The service has been happening 22 years honoring the fallen police officers in Lancaster. The county has really embraced it and annually delegations from different police departments send reps. Also, the police chiefs association awards their annual policeman of the year, investigator of the year and bravery awards as part of the service. That was really great.
Pastor John Smith does a fantastic job emceeing the service. Their soloist could knock the birds out of tree. Her “God Bless America” was unbelievable. The only downer was the sound. With a facility that nice, they need to get an adequate sound system. The speaker was a NJ State Trooper who is also a Grace Brethren pastor. He was very articulate and started out very engaging, especially preaching in uniform with his gun strapped to his waist. His main thought was that Jesus was the Door. He referred to it early. He evangelistically was painting a picture that there is a door that all of us must enter for eternal life. To illustrate this idea, he went to the story of Noah and how Noah boarded the ark and went through the door and God closed it – thus he was saved. The gospel was passionately offered. But there was more heat and it needed more “light” for understanding. The service ended in a touching “honor roll” of fallen policeman. The names were read, pictures put up on the screen and then taps. I was sitting behind a wife of a police chief who was the most recent to have died. She has come each year since the death and she is not a member of the church. For that reason this service gets my way-to-go Pastor John award!!! My visit to Grace Brethren Church of Willow Valley was a real pleasure.