Dear Church Family,

What a joy it was to gather at Tate Farm for our Vesper Service once again! The air was filled with laughter, conversation, and the sounds of God’s people doing life together. The splash of fishing lures hitting the water,  joyful laughter of children playing and racing paddle boats across the pond. In the background, you could hear the peaceful chorus of crickets and rustling trees seem to join in with the strumming of the guitar and lifting of voices in worship, creation itself joining in praise.

I felt that these were not just random sounds; they were the music of the Church being the Church. We weren’t simply going to church - we were living as the church…  what I imagine as a little preview of heaven.

In the sharing of food, laughter, and worship, we were reminded that faith is meant to be experienced together, not in isolation.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25, ESV).

Every laugh, every conversation, every moment of worship under the open sky was an act of encouragement and unity. These gatherings help strengthen our bonds and renew our sense of belonging—not just to each other, but to Christ Himself.

So, to everyone who came, helped, sang, cooked, played, or simply sat and soaked it all in—thank you. You made the evening what it was: a living picture of the Church in fellowship. May we continue to find joy not only within the walls of our buildings, but wherever God’s people gather.

Let’s keep making these sounds of faith together.

Loving you all, 

Michael