Final Worship Service in Historic Falls Church: Making Disciples of All Nations
The Final Worship Service in the Historic Falls Church: Making Disciples of All Nations
By Sarah Frances Ives
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
May 14, 2012
On May 13, 2012, the Falls Church Anglican worshipped one final time in the historic church and in the large worship center they had opened in the 1990s. As they departed from their buildings in accordance with the Virginia court order, they planned final worship services in which all could participate. Many attended, as this 4000 member congregation now would meet in various locations all over Northern Virginia. These final worship services, full of laughter and tears, praise and music, provoked memories and thoughts from everyone, with time planned for the full involvement of the community.
As I attended one final service, I too reflected on my experiences with the Falls Church. During 1985 I attended the Falls Church and remember one quiet Saturday morning at a meeting and praise service where John Yates shared his vision for this growing community. During this time of the expanding charismatic movement, Yates understood that people needed a church where everyone was welcome and where conformity to a single way of life and faith was not required. Under his leadership, the services at the Falls Church became alive with a diversity of worship.
We saw the mother raising her hands in prayer and the father standing solemnly beside her. Or the father, alive with new vision and understanding, worshipped with the mother whose attention appeared placed on her responsibilities. Teenagers walked in and found no judgment awaiting them, but wisdom and guidance as they made difficult decisions. Bouncing children who needed to know the basics of the faith made noise and distractions but were still welcome. In droves, single adults found their way here and soon groups of study, prayer and healing began. No matter where a person was in his or her walk with Jesus, this church would open its doors to you so that strong groups of believers became formed. Yates wanted a place where everyone could worship together, no matter where they were spiritually. I believe he called this a middle way, where we could praise with hands up or down, we could worship crying or smiling. Indeed, Yates worked for a church where the Prince of Peace was welcome.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
By Sarah Frances Ives
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
May 14, 2012
On May 13, 2012, the Falls Church Anglican worshipped one final time in the historic church and in the large worship center they had opened in the 1990s. As they departed from their buildings in accordance with the Virginia court order, they planned final worship services in which all could participate. Many attended, as this 4000 member congregation now would meet in various locations all over Northern Virginia. These final worship services, full of laughter and tears, praise and music, provoked memories and thoughts from everyone, with time planned for the full involvement of the community.As I attended one final service, I too reflected on my experiences with the Falls Church. During 1985 I attended the Falls Church and remember one quiet Saturday morning at a meeting and praise service where John Yates shared his vision for this growing community. During this time of the expanding charismatic movement, Yates understood that people needed a church where everyone was welcome and where conformity to a single way of life and faith was not required. Under his leadership, the services at the Falls Church became alive with a diversity of worship.
We saw the mother raising her hands in prayer and the father standing solemnly beside her. Or the father, alive with new vision and understanding, worshipped with the mother whose attention appeared placed on her responsibilities. Teenagers walked in and found no judgment awaiting them, but wisdom and guidance as they made difficult decisions. Bouncing children who needed to know the basics of the faith made noise and distractions but were still welcome. In droves, single adults found their way here and soon groups of study, prayer and healing began. No matter where a person was in his or her walk with Jesus, this church would open its doors to you so that strong groups of believers became formed. Yates wanted a place where everyone could worship together, no matter where they were spiritually. I believe he called this a middle way, where we could praise with hands up or down, we could worship crying or smiling. Indeed, Yates worked for a church where the Prince of Peace was welcome.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
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