32 Comments

  1. Kris Packard
    January 26, 2009 @ 8:47 am

    David,

    I am choked up as well, reading about yesterday. I am SO HAPPY for you and all who took part in restoration arlington’s first official service. Praise God!

    Reply

  2. Scott Kelsey
    January 26, 2009 @ 8:56 am

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

    David, thanks for the recap. I’m so excited to see what Jesus has in store for RAC. It’s a privilege to serve beside you and the rest of the crew.

    Reply

  3. Bill Deiss
    January 26, 2009 @ 8:58 am

    David,

    You make us proud to see such a man of courage. It increases our faith – in a powerful God who can do all things and is the ulitimate source of our courage. So it’s plain that you are a man for God and it shows.

    I’m very glad you had such a wonderful and meaningful first service.

    Both Nancy and I send blessings to you and Laurel, May God grant you strength as you serve this new community in the name of Christ.

    Bill

    Reply

  4. Carolyn Wright
    January 26, 2009 @ 9:02 am

    Thank you for sharing so vividly–not as good as being there, but we certainly get the flavor of it. And speaking of flavors, I count 3 separate pastry infusions –are you sure this isn’t Arlington Carbohydrate Anglican?

    In all seriousness, though, I praise God that He is at work, bringing glory to Himself while also giving you the desires of your heart. Glory be to Him!

    Reply

  5. Chris Shue
    January 26, 2009 @ 9:26 am

    Congrats Dave – I know how hard you have been working toward this (thanks, Facebook!) and it is great to see it come to fruition.

    Great stuff.

    Chris

    Reply

  6. Martha Berg
    January 26, 2009 @ 9:39 am

    David and All,

    We have been praying for you all along. It is so exciting that it (regular weekly worship services) have now begun. As you wrote ~ God is good.

    My heart is filled with joy for you and the community of Restoration. God’s continued blessing on your journey.

    In the family,
    Martha

    Reply

  7. davidmartinhanke
    January 26, 2009 @ 9:46 am

    Kelsey, you and Anthony definitely had the coldest job of the day– thanks.

    Shue, means a lot that you would track with me on this. Still hoping to buy you lunch.

    Deiss, thanks.

    Kris, Carolyn, and Martha– you have been such faithful encouragers. I am not surprised that you are some of the first to ask and the first to respond. It has been so good to work alongside you.

    Reply

  8. Charles Sinclair
    January 26, 2009 @ 10:01 am

    Dear David and Restoration Church of Arlington,
    We rejoice with you on your first day and sincerely pray this will be merely the tip of the giganic Spiritual “Iceburg” that will sink the ship of evil and negativism that plagues our spiritual growth. There is no group more anxious for you to grow and minister to this part of our county than the present members of Trinity Baptist Church. This is something we have not been able to effectively do and obviously the Lord has great plans in store for His young survant and the congregarion of Restoration.

    Onward! Onward! Brother. We are behind you in prayer and encouragement. We love being together and look forwar to the years to come.

    Charles Sinclair
    Pastor Trinity Baptist Church

    Reply

  9. Tim Ogden
    January 26, 2009 @ 10:08 am

    David,
    Keep leading in the example of Christ. It inspires us.

    Tim

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  10. Kathleen Christopher
    January 26, 2009 @ 10:26 am

    David –
    Thank you so much for the vivid account — I almost feel like I was there! And you know, we ARE all there with you in spirit. God has called you, equipped you, and blessed you — and He is blessing many others through you. I know that Restoration Anglican will be a beacon of light in the Arlington community and beyond.
    Go GOD!!!!

    Kathleen+

    Reply

  11. Virginia Watson
    January 26, 2009 @ 10:28 am

    I rejoice with you. Last night I had some of my C.S. Lewis mentees here for supper. We call it salad by committee. One of the ladies, Rachael Preston, was at your first service and gave us a glowing account. Another of the group plans to join you next week. My thoughts went to hymn 390—”Praise to the Lord; over all things he gloriously reighneth; borne as on eagle wings, safely his saints he sustaineth. Hast thou not seen how all thou needeth hath been granted in what he ordaineth. ” And a well done and tip of my hat to you and Laurel also for your hard work and joy in doing that work.
    Every blessing,
    Virginia Watson

    Reply

  12. candee currie
    January 26, 2009 @ 10:32 am

    Thank you David for sharing the beauty of knowing God and following His sweet call. We love you guys and are praying that God will move through Arlington in a fresh Restorative way! God is very good, candee

    Reply

  13. Bob Wright
    January 26, 2009 @ 10:48 am

    What a great way to start a new church with special music, many people and kids, and such a great and wonderful blessing from the pulpit. Thanks David.

    Reply

  14. Cliff Warner
    January 26, 2009 @ 11:36 am

    Rejoicing with you from Texas! You were made for this; the Restoration community will be blessed and Arlington won’t be the same.

    Reply

  15. Peggy and Bob Reaves
    January 26, 2009 @ 11:53 am

    What a wonderful way to share in this “first day” of RAC. This blog will be a great way for us to receive a taste of MORE of the Lord’s plan and His great blessings. We are grateful for this call on your life. and how this church will evolve. Continued blessings on you and your dear family-Peggy and Bob

    Reply

  16. Amy Rowe
    January 26, 2009 @ 11:55 am

    I agree, there was palpable joy and energy. We were blessed to finish an already exhilerating day by meeting with our small group for the first time last night. More joy. Looking forward to growing as a community.

    Reply

  17. Trace
    January 26, 2009 @ 12:31 pm

    CONGRATS!!! i am so glad the service was a hit!!

    Reply

  18. Nar Taing
    January 26, 2009 @ 1:58 pm

    I’m so moved by your blog David! Thanks for sharing! I will be praying for you all!

    Reply

  19. Louise Brooks
    January 26, 2009 @ 2:13 pm

    Reading your blog, reading everyone’s comments, having space today to reflect — it’s joy that increases to create a bursting heart. Grateful. Thankful. Awed by all He is doing in and through Restoration! God is sooooooooooooo good!

    Reply

  20. KaJe
    January 26, 2009 @ 2:36 pm

    What a great God we serve–that He is vitally involved in drawing new believers to himself in Arlington and around the world! So glad to hear of your fantastic first day–just what we’ve come to expect from you!

    Reply

  21. pam webb
    January 26, 2009 @ 5:15 pm

    Such a great victory! Your willingness to be led by the Spirit is life-giving to all of us.I thought about the reporter who asked Charles Spurgeon how he managed a church of 10,000 people. Spurgeon took him down to the church basement where there were 600 people praying, and he said, “here is the furnace room”. Rejoicing with you and Laurel.

    Reply

  22. Jennie
    January 26, 2009 @ 7:06 pm

    Wow! David, your account is so real and so accurate from where I sat in the pews yesterday morning! As I shared with you yesterday afternoon, mid-service I had an overwhelming feeling of “this is where I am supposed to be.” After the service several folks told me they had that feeling BEFORE I shared my experience with them. God is amazing! However, In all the goodness, for me there is still fear. There is a feeling of being alone and separated from the Godly masses at TFC. There is a fear of quick burnout from all the work that still (and will always) has (have) to be done. Seeing all these comments just now helps me realize that the congregation of RAC is SO not alone. God has given us AMAZING support, love, counsel and prayer (please, please keep praying all!) from lots of TFC folks, friends and the folks at Trinity Baptist. Thank you Father Sinclair for your comments and for all you have done and continue to do for RAC! With a heart filled with thanksgiving! Jennie

    Reply

  23. Sabrina Chan
    January 26, 2009 @ 8:48 pm

    Ooooh…. love it. Thanks for the play by play.

    It made me think about all kinds of new and crazy things we got to do together on staff, and made me so thankful to God for those experiences and for y’all. I got all teary reading it!!! So excited for y’all!

    Miss you dearly, loved the picture card. It’s in prime photo space on my new fridge (Wilbur) in my new house (Mattie St.). 😀

    Reply

  24. Kristen
    January 26, 2009 @ 9:23 pm

    Feeling very thankful. Feet haven’t touched the ground yet.

    Reply

  25. Abri
    January 26, 2009 @ 11:29 pm

    Fantastic! I definitely teared up while reading this. 🙂 God is so awesome, and this makes me want to pray more that He will make a way for me to have a job back up home so that I can come worship with all of you. Thankfully, miracles happen, and God blesses His people. I can’t wait to see what He is going to do through Restoration and I can’t wait to find out what my place is in it all!

    Reply

  26. Jennifer Greenleaf
    January 27, 2009 @ 8:52 am

    To all the saints at RAC,

    God’s graciousness is papable in the re-telling of your first day of worship. Thank you for giving us this little window into all that He is doing among you. WOW!

    Just this morning I was meditating on Psalm 18, some of which I see reflected in your story:

    For who is God, but the LORD? And who is the rock, except our God- the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. (v31-35)

    May Jesus continue to be your strength. May he assure you daily of His salvation. May you rest secure in knowing He is with you and equipping you. May the name of Jesus be made great in Arlington through RAC!

    Reply

  27. susan yates
    January 27, 2009 @ 9:39 am

    So thrilled for you ALL!!!
    God is so faithful. Enjoy this day and don’t get too stressed about the future. He holds that too:)
    We love you so much!
    Susan

    Reply

  28. Jeff Alsup
    January 27, 2009 @ 10:58 am

    Dave –

    What a beautiful picture of new beginnings. Had no idea this is what is happening in your life. Many blessings on you as you begin the journey, friend.

    Reply

  29. Phoebe
    January 27, 2009 @ 7:52 pm

    Just saw this, having returned from Asia, and Elizabeth Boesen was kind enough to send. SO moving, David! We are so proud of you and rejoice in what God has done on your first Sunday as a church…and what He has in store. You can’t even imagine!

    Robert and I love you guys.

    Reply

  30. Carlos
    January 29, 2009 @ 4:37 pm

    Hermano,

    The joy of the Lord is contagious! Aixa and I rejoice with you, Laurel and the Restoration Familia!

    En Cristo,

    Carlos+

    Reply

  31. Jackie
    February 1, 2009 @ 6:08 pm

    WOW – this is only the beginning and our God is a great God! As I read, I felt the presence of the Lord in every word. We are so excited for the folks at RAC and know they will be richly blessed through your leadership.

    David, it was a blessing to be with you even a short time and see how God has worked in and through you and Laurel. May you continue to know His presence and pleasure in all you do.

    When you need a retreat, NC has a place for you. Hugs, Jackie & Larry

    Reply

  32. Anne Cregger
    February 1, 2020 @ 7:39 am

    This is soooo fun to read 10+ years later. It was an amazing day and it’s STILL amazing! We’ve come through some hard and some awesome times, and the Lord still shows up— never leaves.
    So grateful for all He’s doing.

    Reply

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