The Bible describes the local church as a body, with many different members, all of which are important to the healthy functioning of the whole.  Felicity, her husband, my friend and brother, Robert, and their two children, Xavier and Alexis, are so very vital to the health and functioning of Gilbert Independent.  They are the joy of their parents, Brother Ed and Wanda Green, as well as their preacher, who feels honored and humbled that they would choose him to be their pastor.  Because Felicity and Robert demonstrate such enthusiasm and love for the Lord and their church, I asked Felicity to put her thoughts into words so she could share them with everyone.  I am proud to introduce Felicity Sevanick, Christian wife, mother, and daughter, on her debut onto the stage of the church’s website.  Her article blessed me.  I hope it blesses you too!

R.S.Brewer, Pastor

What Church Means To Me

      By Felicity Sevanick

My first memories are of my dad reading the children stories during a special children’s church time in the service.  I was so proud.  When I was little I didn’t really understand the depths of church.  I knew we were to look our best.  My mom always dressed me in my nicest dresses and made sure my hair was done.  I knew we went there to learn about God and that it was the right thing to do, but I didn’t understand just how important it was.

 As a teenager, church was still a part of my life.  It was more about friendships being forged and social get-togethers.  I started to learn that God had a design for my life.  This was a place where you grew closer to God.  When I got caught up in life, I realized that church kept you grounded to God’s will.  I needed to be with those people with whom I shared that common love for God; it was too easy to get lead astray by the world.  Church was important, on many levels.

 Now, as a wife, parent and a child, church has taken on an even more important and in-depth meaning.  As a wife, I have learned how very important marriage is and how God wants us to treat one another.  Thanks to a message from our Preacher a couple of Sundays ago, my husband and I learned how marriage is about love, honor, respect, and being submissive.  From Gods word "Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands…Likewise ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife" 1 Peter 3:1, 7-12.  Our Preacher told us of how important the institution of marriage is.  How being married to each other is a parallel as to how the church is married to Christ.  Subsequently, submission was no longer a problem for me.  It no longer left a foul taste in my mouth, because it was explained to me from God’s Word.  I walked out of that service with a whole new outlook on my marriage.  As a parent I now understand why I was taken to church as a child.  I think often of that wonderful proverb,  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6.  How important it is for our children to go to church, see us grow closer to God, and to see us fellowship with others.  God loves children; they are so important to Him.  "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for such is the kingdom of God."  Mark 10:14.

Also, as a child, yes a child of God, I want to grow and be taught that I may be a light.  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in Heaven" Matt 5:16.  Church for me is now a place for instruction.  A place for understanding of God’s unconditional love and His will for my life.   Also, in my church family,  I’ve always heard the title Bro. John and Sis. Jane.  Brother and Sister aren’t just titles of respect, it’s so much more.  It’s a description: they are my brothers and sisters.  The love in our church family is so real, so sincere.  I know it pleases God.  We care for one another.  I was taught this by observing our Preacher and the way he interacts with the congregation.  His love for his people is genuine, truthful and honest.  I’ve been places before where the pastor, seemingly, loved from the pulpit.  He’d shake your hand and say "Hello, thanks for coming.  If there’s anything I can do to help you, please let me know."  And that’s where it ended.  Not here, not my Preacher!  When you ask something of him he gives you his full attention and does all he can, both him and his lovely wife.  The love he has for his people is perfectly mirrored in the way everyone loves one another - from the heart.

 I guess I can sum up what church means to me by saying my church is a little piece of heaven that God has given to me.  It’s a little window of the love, understanding, and sweet fellowship, that awaits us in Heaven.

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