“This is exactly what I was looking for. This is exactly what Laconia needs.”
So said one woman, in tears, after 55 gathered in Pitman’s Freight Room in Laconia, NH, on September 18 for the first preview service of Water’s Edge – a Church of Christ.
Church planter Shaun Dutile and his team worked diligently to put together the first of many worship gatherings in Laconia. Worship team, sound board operator, people to set up chairs, to lead communion, read scriptures and prayers—conducting a church service takes a lot of hands and a lot of heart.
Two couples from the Dutiles’ supporting church in Lubbock, TX, flew all the way to NH for the event. They declared it a mountaintop event followed by another mountaintop the same afternoon as they all climbed Mount Major together.
Despite Shaun’s initial disappointment to have only 55 in attendance, he was encouraged by the feedback he received from people who came. Here are a few things people said:
“You have really given me a lot to think about . . . Some speakers I cannot feel their heart when they speak, but I felt like I could feel your heart in mine. Thank you.”
“Church was great! You guys did an awesome job! My daughter and I loved it!”
“I have been praying for this sort of church to come to Laconia for the past 3 years. I have been praying for you and didn’t know it was you I prayed for!”
One father who really struggles with anger and a dislike of himself said, “That was really something Shaun. I need to call you perhaps tomorrow.” The Gospel touched his heart in some way.
The local newspaper featured the church’s opening on its front page. You can read that article here. (login required)
You can also read about the day from Shaun’s perspective and catch up on the work he is doing in his community through Celebrate Recovery and other outlets on his blog.
How to Pray for Water’s Edge
So said one woman, in tears, after 55 gathered in Pitman’s Freight Room in Laconia, NH, on September 18 for the first preview service of Water’s Edge – a Church of Christ.
Church planter Shaun Dutile and his team worked diligently to put together the first of many worship gatherings in Laconia. Worship team, sound board operator, people to set up chairs, to lead communion, read scriptures and prayers—conducting a church service takes a lot of hands and a lot of heart.
Two couples from the Dutiles’ supporting church in Lubbock, TX, flew all the way to NH for the event. They declared it a mountaintop event followed by another mountaintop the same afternoon as they all climbed Mount Major together.
Despite Shaun’s initial disappointment to have only 55 in attendance, he was encouraged by the feedback he received from people who came. Here are a few things people said:
“You have really given me a lot to think about . . . Some speakers I cannot feel their heart when they speak, but I felt like I could feel your heart in mine. Thank you.”
“Church was great! You guys did an awesome job! My daughter and I loved it!”
“I have been praying for this sort of church to come to Laconia for the past 3 years. I have been praying for you and didn’t know it was you I prayed for!”
One father who really struggles with anger and a dislike of himself said, “That was really something Shaun. I need to call you perhaps tomorrow.” The Gospel touched his heart in some way.
The local newspaper featured the church’s opening on its front page. You can read that article here. (login required)
You can also read about the day from Shaun’s perspective and catch up on the work he is doing in his community through Celebrate Recovery and other outlets on his blog.
How to Pray for Water’s Edge
- That those who came were encouraged
- That the excitement of the new start will carry forward
- That God will work in the hearts of those who have already committed and those who haven’t yet to see this new church stabilize and become a vital part of Laconia