25 Days of Thanks - Day Seventeen

First Presbyterian Church of DuPage

When we decided to find a church in our area, we started out by going to the local Episcopalian and Baptist churches.  See, David grew up Episcopalian and I grew up Southern Baptist, which are two completely opposite takes on worship.  Neither one of us was comfortable in the other's church and this stalled our searched for a number of years.  Finally I felt desperate to get back into church and we started searching in earnest.  We decided to attend FPCD on a whim and then we went back at Christmas.  After those two visits, we had decided that was where we belonged.  It was a great middle ground between our two faiths and provided many opportunities for spiritual growth.  Since that time we have joined the church and I have become an Elder.  It has been a very humbling experience to see all the good things the church does.  I am incredibly thankful to have such an active place to call my church home. 

I am also thankful beyond words for our Pastor, Mark.  Pastor Mark brings such a real passion to the church and most importantly a compassion for people I have never seen in another Pastor.  He can talk on nearly any subject in very theological terms and then easily break it down for those of us who aren't as well equipped as him.  When Grayson was born and staying in the NICU (what a horrible horrible time and I still feel panic every time I think of those horrific few days) I called Pastor Mark and let him know what was going on.  He immediately put Grayson on the church prayer request list.  The next day he came to the hospital to be with us and to pray over Grayson.  I'm not sure what he said since David escorted him to NICU but I know it was beautiful.  I am forever grateful that he came and was there to bring God's grace to Grayson.  Thank you Pastor Mark.