This past Sunday Pastor Chris shared our 2020 Year in Review slideshow during our Gatherings. Take a few minutes to click through some of the ways God was at work through our Church body this year. We’re looking forward to seeing what God has in store in 2021! Mobile version of site does not support captions - please view on a computer to read photo descriptions.
We started off the year surrendering to Jesus and nailing things to the Cross we needed to give up to Him, reading verses together, and discussing how we can focus on Him.
Our youth grew in fellowship and their faith on the Youth Winter Retreat and during Bible reading challenges throughout the year.
Our volunteers walked the halls of Image and the Church property praying over different ministries and asking God to use us mightily to reach others for Him.
Our women grew in fellowship, in their faith, and in their walks with Jesus during the Women’s Retreat.
We celebrated births and marriages!
People accepted Jesus!
Our staff and volunteers worked hard behind the scenes to figure out how to best reach people online with the Gospel and how to continually adapt our traditional offerings.
We shared devotionals and ways to continue the conversation from sermons throughout the year and provided resources for our families. We delivered kits with activities and Bible challenges for kids to grow in their love for Jesus. And we worshiped in our pajamas!
We hosted outdoor Gatherings to worship together in person!
Our community groups met at the beginning of the year and again this Fall to focus on growing in His Word!
We shared the Gospel message each week and our worship team continued to point us to Jesus and help us celebrate and honor Him.
We supported our neighbors in need at Fred Lynn Middle School, providing funds to purchase resources for students working from home.
We supported missions work around the world!
Our members found creative ways to show Jesus’ love during this unprecedented time - acts of service like creating masks, helping neighbors, collecting food for a local food bank, and providing for a member who lost her job.
Our First Image team welcomed guests throughout the year both in person and online. We brought friends! New members joined on mission at Image.
Iglesia Biblica Bautista Woodbridge continued to reach the area for the Kingdom and we’re proud to partner with Pastor Jose Mazariego and his family!
We continued to pray for God to do a mighty work through our Church body and we can’t wait to see how He will continue to work in 2021!
Chris in Richmond shared the following with us about the impact worshiping with Image from home has had in her life:
We’re thankful for stories of life change like this and the opportunity to still gather online together during this time.
We were thankful for the opportunity to gather both in person in the building and online to celebrate Christmas as a Church family. Check out a few photos below and more on our Facebook page HERE.
Check out this story from Debra in Stafford about adapting to the current times and the power of worship in her life!
We’re thankful that so many people are able to tune in with us each week and that our members have been inviting other people to join in. One of our members, Beth, shared this with us:
Beth’s life-long friend Lanell shared this with us:
Beth and Lanell even got to worship together in person during our Outdoor Gathering when Lanell visited this Fall.
Join Pastor Brian as he takes us on a tour of upgrades and replacements being made in the auditorium. Your gift to support our special One Gift offering will help fund these improvements and allow us to more effectively share the Gospel message.
Check out this story about the importance of worshiping online even when we can’t be together in person:
“The chance to be able to ‘attend’ church virtually during the pandemic has been such a blessing as I've been able to feel a part of the family of God as it's been very easy to feel secluded during so many restrictions of things being closed. And although I enjoy my family of 4, it's been nice to be a part of something bigger than all of us ... even though I've watched it on my laptop. It encouraged us to find a Church home near us and as things have started to open up, we've been able to start plugging in." - Tina, Halethorpe, MD
Thank you for Helping the Hornets! With your support, we raised $1,400 for Fred Lynn Middle School. These funds covered the cost of white boards for all students to use during virtual learning!
Virtual learning this Fall will be challenging across the County. For many families at Fred Lynn, this challenge is on top of trying to make ends meet and other crises. We made an impact by helping to provide tools for success. Students will be able to use these supplies for working out problems in class, keeping to do lists, and practicing and mastering new skills.
Pastor Chris met with Principal Brewer and Erin Lowery, Image Church member and Fred Lynn teacher, for the check presentation. In August, to help kick off the program, Principal Brewer came and talked with Pastor Chris about how the school is managing during these unprecedented times.
1] God is with us and for us
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. [ESV]
2] This too shall pass
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [ESV]
3] Respond with joy and hope
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [ESV]
4] Keep growing
James 1:4
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [ESV]
5] This is not the end
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [ESV]
6] Remain focused on our Constant One
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. [ESV]
