Grace Abounding

On Sunday, March 1, 2009, we celebrated God’s redeeming grace as our church plant officially became a local church. On this day we accepted into membership 17 charter members, affirmed our first officers, and adopted governing documents. Over thirty guests, including 5 pastors joined us for this historic day.

Garrett’s Incredible Adventure

Garrett Lee, a member of our Leadership Team, barely made it to Charter Sunday. He got called up for work for an emergency at 6 AM and only made it back after flying into Dulles Airport and driving as fast as he could to the last half. Christ was kind in getting Garrett, wearing his hospital scrubs, back to administer the vows of an elder and preside over the Lord’s Table.

Stranded Worshipers

Charter Sunday was only the beginning of an adventure for twenty-five friends from South Carolina who drove up to celebrate with us. On the way home, they got stranded in North Carolina in a large snow & ice storm. The storm forced three cars and a van full of friends to stop overnight at hotels. Pastor Eric Sipe’s car got stranded and out of gas on I-85 because the highway got shut down due to the ice & snow! Thankfully, they made it safely to a hotel after buying a 5 gallon container to bring gas to the car. Our dear friend John Gardner, an elder from Heritage, was stuck overnight on the highway with his family and a friend in their SUV because the highway was iced over and shut down. They could not get to an exit ramp, so they had to brave it out overnight in the car. We thank God for keeping our friends safe during their journey home!

I’ll post photos soon. No sermon was recorded. In lieu of a sermon, enjoy the following glimpses of our Charter Sunday. Soli Deo Gloria.

1. Order of Worship – the guide to worship for Charter Sunday designed by Christy Matias.

2. Church Covenant – commitment read aloud by charter members to love one another and this church family.

3. Vows of An Elder – the commitments made by our elders to our congregation and the congregation to the elders. Jonathan Matias was affirmed as our first full-time elder. Peter Beninate was elected Grace Church’s first treasurer, and Elizabeth Wiebe our first secretary.

4. The Story of Grace Church of Alexandria – the story as printed in our order of worship.

A Vision For a New Local Church

Nine years ago, two friends, Jonathan Matias and Shayne McAllister, saw a need for the Gospel in Washington D.C., one of the fastest growing metro areas. They began praying about starting a Gospel-preaching church near our nation’s capitol. In 2003 while at seminary together, Garrett Lee and Jonathan Matias often prayed that God would make this vision for God’s glory a reality.

Forming A Team

Enter Heritage Bible Church of Greer, South Carolina. Heritage has pursued a vision of establishing local churches in strategic cities nationwide. Under the direction of Pastor Eric Sipe, Heritage has mentored Jonathan in a pastoral internship, given financial backing, and provided supervision of the church plant. God called several individuals and families from Heritage to join the church planting team. This is the eighth church formed under Heritage’s guidance.

Relocating to Alexandria

So in November of 2007, the team relocated to the D.C. area and began meeting as Grace Church of Alexandria. They first met in the apartment of Jane Coates and then in the home of Josh & Christy Scheiderer. In 2008, Capitol Hill Baptist Church provided their church building in Washington D.C. to the team rent-free.

Gathering Worshipers in Alexandria, Virginia

In the fall of 2008, God provided our current meeting place, the Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in Cameron Station, a community in Alexandria, Virginia. We gather together to proclaim the majestic glory of God and revel in his astonishing grace. God has rescued us from our rebellion through Jesus Christ and granted us fellowship with the Triune God. We gather to hear from God through his Word and apply the Gospel to our every day lives. The Holy Spirit is transforming us and unifying us together so we will draw others to worship our great God.

On this day, March 1, 2009, we celebrate God’s redeeming grace in forming Grace Church of Alexandria. Soli deo gloria.