A Service in the Park

By Editor | September 18, 2024 |

Photo by Shari Harris
The Church Band provided praise and worship music Saturday that had people on their feet.

By Shari Harris

Publisher

The Licking Ministerial Alliance hosted a dinner, music and a sermon at the Intercounty Pavilion at the Old City Park in Licking Saturday evening. Many attended the event, bringing lawn chairs and enjoying the fellowship, music and message of the evening.

A light rain didn’t deter those organizing the meeting or the attendees. As Pastor Erin McConnell, Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church, said in his greeting, “Don’t let the U.S. Postal Service outdo the Saints of God!” He reminded the gathering that “it rains on the just and the unjust.”

Pastor Rob Lilly, Licking First Baptist Church, asked those attending to have expectations that God is going to do something at the meeting. He provided the opening prayer.

The Church Band, from Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church had people on their feet as they sang praise and worship music.

Pastor John Jordan, Rock Springs Baptist Church, delivered a short message about the mission of the Licking Ministerial Alliance, and many gave offerings to support their mission while Duane Turner played the guitar and sang, making a circuit around the pavilion.

Pastor Matt McGuire, Abounding Hope Church, provided the main message for the evening. He shared his journey to the pulpit. He talked about the darkness that resides in our world, and pointed out that the darker it is, the brighter a light will shine. He urged every child of God to shine their light in the darkness.

Pastor McGuire compared the Bible to a metal sword, with the Bible a supernatural weapon that will fight the darkness. He encouraged people to study and train on how to share the Bible with others.

After an altar call, Pastor Russ Stigall, Boone Creek Baptist Church, offered the closing prayer.

Pastor Gary Parker, New Life Free Will Baptist Church, was also present and assisted during the altar call.

Pastor Paul Richardson, Licking Assembly of God, was unable to attend due to being away on a mission trip.

Near the end of the service, a rainbow could be seen by those sitting on the west side of the pavilion, providing a beautiful ending to an evening of worship.