Chapel Days
Shortened morning classes on Thursdays enable an hour to be carved out for high school chapel which is held each week. This is an opportunity for many area pastors and, occasionally, a former student or missionary to come and challenge FCS students in their walk with God. Elementary students come to chapel on Fridays. Many times different classes prepare a short program for chapel.
Serving Abroad
Not the usual yearly encounter, the middle and high students sat under the preaching of Matt Herbster for a morning chapel service. After receiving the call to missions in Hong Kong, the Herbster family recently left The Wilds Camp and continues on deputation in hopes of leaving for Hong Kong later this year.
Because of Herbster's over 20-year impact on FCS students, the administration and the middle and high school student body rallied to quickly raise funds through a pizza roll lunch and snack to give the Herbster family a gift to aid in traveling or setting up their home in Hong Kong.
The student body gratefully received Mr. Herbster and was blessed by his message on Psalm 119 concerning hating sin and valuing God's Word. He left the student body with two truths to never forget: Be faithful in God's Word as He will continue to grow a greater desire for it, and be convinced that God will give you grace to become more like Him.
Voices of the Past: Alumni Chapel
What more could a teacher want than to hear his/her former students are living successful lives! Even though graduates are seen all around campus everyday bringing their children to school, we love to hear what is going on in their lives. Administrator Todd Daniel invited alumni to tell their stories. Not only did it give an alternative to the normal chapel services, but it allowed the students an opportunity to witness God's power in the lives of ordinary people. Mr. Daniel said, "I wanted the students to hear truth from a different perspective. The goal was to try and help the students see that God is real in their lives even at their ages."
The graduates told of their salvation and circumstances or school events that the Lord used to draw them to Himself. They told of the importance of godly friendships, the significance of life struggles and how the Lord grew them in and after high school. One of the greatest blessings was to here how they were serving the Lord in vocations that are not often considered ministry professions.
Graduate Kevin Langley told how the Lord had used experiences of driving a service truck to help him study God's Word and be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about his faith. He said, "Look for ways to serve the Lord."
In addition to his daily job, Langley seeks to minister in other ways. He and his wife, Beth, also a graduate, serve the Lord through an out-of-the-ordinary ministry. They carry construction items at least twice a year to missionaries who are constructing churches or various projects.
Another graduate, John Avelino told of how the Lord uses his upbringing at FCS as he works in the business world. He said, "No matter what you do, you can share your faith. You must be fully grounded in your beliefs so that you can answer the questions that you will encounter. God will give you opportunities."
From recent graduates of the last five years to graduates of the 1970s, the wisdom shared answered the questions in the minds of students as they realized they too can serve the Lord and be used by God.
One student said, "I appreciated the different type of chapel where people who serve in our community shared their challenges and how God can and has used their lives. It made me realize that God can use all of us."
An Earned Respect
Another big day on campus each year, Veterans Day means celebrating our heroes with a special time of recognition. The student body welcomed parents, grandparents and Sergeant Major Greg Williams with his wife, Navy Commander Meghan Williams, who shared Veterans Day Chapel with us again as last year. Unlike Commander Williams' previous message and sharing of experiences from the capturing of Saddam Hussein, he read a heartfelt narrative of the American Flag's origin. He told of each color's significance and all that the flag represents. Sergeant Williams read, "I [the flag] stand guard over my nation's school ... I am displayed in every school yard. ....I am a symbol of their country. I symbolize their birthright, their heritage, their liberty purchased in blood..."
Sergeant Major Williams gave testimony of training which prepared him and other soldiers to always defend the flag. He remembered friends who gave all for their country and said, "I hate that I had friends who did not make it in Iraq and Afghanistan, but if they were here today they'd tell you, 'I died doing what I wanted to do.'"
In addition to Sergeant Major Williams' message, Chris Joyce, an FCS grandparent, told of his experiences and of his need for a service dog at this point in his life, as he experiences some health difficulties. It was interesting that the dog stood in front of Mr. Joyce, as if to protect him from any impending harm.
An opportunity for the students to perform, the elementary chorus as well as the middle and high school chorus groups sang. The handbell choir played a stirring rendition of The National Anthem. The Advanced Speech students also performed a recitation, reminding of the extreme sacrifice of ordinary but heroic people who were devoted to their country.
The celebratory service concluded as the students shook the military men and women's hands and thanked them for their sacrifices in making our nation free.