Fellowship

Jan 2

Written By City Church Communications Team

A Prayer for Fellowship

God, we thank you for the fact that we need people. We thank you that so many of those needs are met through the community that is City Church.

We ask for a flood of new relationships in 2024. We pray for eyes that are opened to the differences in each of us. May we see those differences as opportunities to learn more about you, Lord. We pray for opportunities to meet people who are younger than us, older than us, and in a different stage of life. We pray that we approach these opportunities with curiosity, with open hands, with hearts that genuinely want friendships and fellowship in City Church to blossom in a new way.

God, as we start out on this journey of forging new relationships, will you help us treasure our old friendships like never before? May we remember that we can’t make old friends. So we pray over these friendships too, Lord. We pray that the feeling of being known so well in these relationships reminds us of the way you know us. May we honor and embrace our longtime friends, stay committed, and have the discipline to maintain these friendships well.

Lord, we pray over our friendship with you. May we know that we will never have a friend like the friend we have in Jesus. May that security, that love, that comfort push out into the world. May that be the fountain in which all—new, old, tiring, familiar, challenging, comfortable, and long-standing—friendships are sustained.

Amen.

Scripture to prompt your own prayers:
John 15:12-13, Philippians 1:3-6

Prayer written by Leah Meyer

We’re sharing these photos in a world filled with photos—but we hope that instead of just swiping through, you’ll use them as a chance to reflect. They show a collection of former strangers brought together in fellowship. Let’s thank God for those moments in this last year and use them to inspire prayers for deeper and broader fellowship in the year to come.

(For best viewing, click on an image below and scroll through.)

These angels were ready to show up and sing His praises at City Church’s annual Christmas Pageant.

There’s nothing like catching up with your best church friend before the service starts.

Blake Parrott and Parker sharing a joke that clearly crosses generational divides.

City Groups aren’t just for living rooms!

We love to see City Groups and this classic Richmond tradition of going to see Christmas decorations at the Jefferson intertwine.

Thomas McConnell playing the bagpipes at our Easter service will always be something that brings us to a halt and a tear to our eye. He is Risen!

Turns out some people don’t escape to the restroom during our greeting time!

Harvest Part(ies) may have looked a little different this year, but the tradition of Brunswick stew lived on.

Mothering is made a little easier when your friends are in it with you.

You can usually find JB Burtch, Director of Mentoring, in the social room before the service thoughtfully guiding someone or catching up with a new member over coffee.

Taking care of one another is what we do best.

Any day is a better day when you get to hold a newborn Baby Asher.

Nursery just wouldn’t be as fun without our Youth Volunteers.

Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like sharing a pitcher after the 11PM service.

A Men’s Ministry event always calls for some shenanigans. It’s clear everyone had a great time at the Richmond Kickers soccer game.

While our Wednesday morning Women’s Bible study is all about being in God’s word together, it also allows good friends of all ages to catch up.

Russell showing off his drawing of his buddy Rosie during VBS.

Look at all those bunny bags! Sarah and Liz prep bunny bags for our Easter egg hunt at Forest Hill Park.

Katherine Malanoski, Director of Children’s Ministry, made sure our 3rd-5th graders had plenty of chances to hang out and have fun over the summer—including the quintessential roller rink experience.