This past Sunday, October 3, the Youth department hosted a Purity Ring Ceremony in the sanctuary. Twenty-six students and their parents, all total about sixty-five, met at 5:30 pm for a final session before entering the service at 6:30 pm. The event was well attended by the church body and I am incredibly grateful for the turn out. We have awesome members here at First and I for one love you all.
Following the service, the Youth department escorted the entire group of youth and parents to the Fellowship Hall for a banquet style dinner. We set up the tables in one long line right down the middle and then formed a T on the end to accommodate all guests. We set out the church china, silverware, glasses, decorations, and set up some nice music for background ambiance. The first item on the menu was Caesar salad, which was prepared by my parents, Sonny and Shirley Cawthon who drove in from Tyler just to help with this event. They actually made the salad and the desserts. We filled the glasses with water and tea and as soon as the salad course was finished, we began bringing out the main course. Handmade chicken cordon bleu with a red wine shallot sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, and Italian cut green beans were the main course. And finally, we had our “just” desserts. We served two options for this course and prepared individual chocolate pudding tarts and coconut-cream pudding tarts, both served with ripe strawberries and plump grapes. Hot tea and coffee helped to complete the evening meal.
Keri Moreno set up a professional backdrop and used her very nice camera to take family pictures and a great shot of the whole group of youth. Additionally, several other key people helped to make this event an awesome night. Keri and Eli Moreno, Eric Shipp, Bob and Carole Bogart (my awesome in-laws) and myself made sure that the tables were served, bussed, glasses full, and needs attended. You can imagine a service of seventy hungry folks, there is a lot to stay on top of and this incredible team rose to the occasion and performed beautifully for our Lord and the families. None of us realized the extent of what we would need to do to make this happen. And when the dishwasher broke, we rallied one last time around our two huge sinks and hand washed each item. Now that’s love! I am so proud of those who selflessly serve these youth and their families. I could never thank them enough.
Finally, I want to introduce you to our chef for the evening. Jason Gray is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Cooking school of Dallas and currently works at Lone Star Park as the pasta chef. However, his handiwork has been seen recently on Wednesday nights at Oasis dinner. He has recently started a catering business. He is highly recommended. His number is 972-822-9932. If you have a dinner party or family event and want to have someone else take on the task of preparation, then Chef Jason Gray is your man.
The service itself was incredible. The church body stood and applauded as the youth and their parents made there way into the sanctuary. It was a majestic moment followed by O, Worship the King. Sammy gave the opening prayer and it was very graciously given. Eric and Eli read Scripture. Steven Turner played a wonderful song. The parents and the youth stood up at the altar and made their vows of purity before God, each other and the church. We closed with All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, presented the youth and parents to the church with a special charge for the body of believers and then David Turner spoke a message of truth to the youth and then closed us in prayer.
I have to say that I am humbled by all parts of this event. There was extensive planning and preparation. Many worked tirelessly for this moment. Many supported us throughout the entire process. I thank all of the parents for allowing us to work with your young men and young women. I thank you parents for your efforts to diligently work hard for your children and to raise them in the way of the Lord. We love our youth and we love serving our King of kings and Lord of lords.
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