Sunday of the family reunion - Family church

Family Church on Sunday morning is one of my favorite things about our reunion time.  To be able to gather together as family and worship is so meaningful and powerful and special to all of us.  We are thankful for the legacy of faith and love that has been passed down to us throughout many generations.  And we take seriously our role in making sure that continues to be the legacy of our family.

Joe later wrote that he and Sarah felt the house was so empty after we all left and that they were so thankful for the blessing of having had all of us there.  That they felt it truly blessed their home (they have lived there less than a year).  I completely understand that feeling from hosting reunions in years past.  I wrote Joe back and told him I truly felt that worship at their house was anointed.  And that I know what he means about the family presence sort of seeping into the floors and walls of a house.  It is a beautiful, lingering thing.

After church we went to lunch at Paolo and Charlie's.  Dear Liz paid for the entire crew!!  Goodness!  And it was delicious.  I had the best Eggs Benedict that I think I have ever had there.  They also had a pannacotta for dessert that would make you cry (in a good way!)  Yum!!  Our waiter was a great guy who joined right in with all of us.  We told him he was now an official member of the family.  :)

I have to share this excerpt of a column written by Sarah about the reunion.  I truly believe she summed it all up perfectly.  :D

"Joe’s family comes together annually to weave and tighten the love knots of one big, grateful heart that focuses on adoration and acceptance, whether there’s a common bloodline or not. Boyfriends, girlfriends, childhood friends, old classmates, college roommates—if someone shows up, related or not, they are treated like family. The more the merrier! Have another brownie and let’s sing a song together!"

https://www.facebook.com/TheThunker/posts/1933129350121412
(You should follow The Thunker on facebook - Sarah is extraordinary!)

One side of the duplex...Jonathan, Jackson, Brianna,
Anna, Matthew, Laura, Julie, Rojina, James

The other side (just missing Megan)
Stephen, Rachel, Kerry, Candace, Hannah, Susanna, Rebekah

family church at Joe and Sarah's house

Julie

Jackson and Brianna

Zac and Hannah

Sarah and Joe

Laura and Julie

Priscilla, Jane, and Candace

Matthew, Stephen, Rachel, James,
Anna, Rojina

James and Daddy 

Jonathan and Kerry 

Singing 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'

Brianna transcribed a song into another key...  :)

After church, Matthew sang 'They Call the Wind Mariah' for Mama...

Mama then told the story behind that song and why it is so important to her. 

lunch at Paolo and Charlies

Jackson, Brianna, and Jane

Kerry, Mama, Daddy, Anna, Matthew, Candace

Karen, Jonathan, Susanna, Hannah, Zac, Robin

Laura, Julie, David, Becky, Rojina, James

group with our wonderful waiter  :)

Rojina, Daddy, Jonathan, Jackson

Anna, Daddy, and Rojina

Jackson, Brianna, Laura, Jonathan 

Everyone who was at lunch that day!  :) 

You can see a huge album of photos from the entire reunion at this link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157710458260922

And here is the video of our full church service.  I will work to get shorter videos of individual songs uploaded at some point.  But for now, the whole thing is here.