In 1991, as a student at West Chester University and as a new Christian, I began to attend Covenant Fellowship Church. It was the church where the rides from WCU went on Sunday morning, so it’s where I was taken. My first morning in the Gauntlett Community Center in Newtown Square is somewhat a blur, but I do specifically remember singing the chorus to Lord, I Lift Your Name on High! (Remember that gem?)
From that point on, I sought to get a ride each Sunday, though it wasn’t until a few years later that I became an official member. After I graduated in 1994, I moved home at the request of my parents and drove two hours to church most Sundays. I wanted to attend what I considered “my home church” and sought membership only after I moved to Malvern and knew I could attend, serve, and actively be a member of the church community. Our pastors taught well the importance of church membership in a local church.
Over the years I imagined I would always be at Covenant Fellowship, but in 2012 we left CFC for about 18 months to commute to Middletown, DE, to attend and support Chris and Fibia Patton and Sovereign Grace Church. That season and leaving CFC was hard for me. I understood why we left, but my heart was never far from home.
Over three decades at Covenant Fellowship, Bryan and I have done so much here. We attended as college students and as friends while single. We were married in this church and dedicated all three of our boys here. We have attended weddings, funerals, concerts, and meetings. We have served in many areas, including community group leadership, youth group leadership, nursing home ministry, the Book Shoppe, Promise Kingdom, band, pro-life team, Youth Camp, Cross Culture, Alpha, and Bridge. I had the privilege of helping launch our first VBS. And though never officially a member of the wedding planning team, I was a “consultant for hire” for some special events (including our first outdoor wedding and reception for the Komorowski/Carey and the Campbell/Imfeld bash). I also had the joy of working in the church office before our first son was born.
And now the Lord is leading us to another gospel-preaching local body. Though changing churches doesn’t change our friendships, it does change the dynamic. For thirty years we have seen you weekly. Like family, some members are more like distant relatives, and others more immediate, but all are family.
To our pastors and their wives, thank you. Your friendships and your teachings have informed who we are and what we know of God. We are especially thankful for a biblical view of the larger Church body and the way unity among believers is valued. Our transition to a new local church actively involved our pastors from two churches—what a gift! We rejoice in what God has done in our lives through CFC and through your friendships, and what He will continue to do going forward as we remain united in Christ. I’m so thankful that we will have eternity together in one place, around one throne, worshipping our one Savior together!
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.
(Psalm 133)
