CHAPEL

 

     On Wednesday, November 30th I had the wonderful privilege of sharing at the West Sayville Christian School Chapel. If there is one thing I have always loved to do, it is definitely speaking at any Christian school chapel service. I have been speaking at West Sayville Christian School since the spring of 1994! West Sayville is a small school but recently it has grown considerably. A few years ago it was in danger of closing it's doors but a generous donor gave the school a considerable amount of money to not only keep the school doors open, but also allow the school to expand to 12th grade! I was very happy to hear that news because it meant I would be able to continue speaking in their chapel! 

     My Chapel Speaking career began back in 1991 at Smithtown Christian School. I was only the Children's Pastor at Smithtown Gospel for about a month and I had been praying for the Lord to open a door for me to connect with our Christian School students. Low and behold the Principal at the time, Mr. Ed Parker came into my office and asked if I would be willing to speak at their schools chapel service. I said yes of course and we agreed on my first ever chapel speaking engagement to be on April 10, 1991. How do I remember that? That's easy to answer. I have kept a log book of every chapel I have ever shared on for the past 31 years! I'll even prove it by telling you what I spoke on!! "What is a Christian?" It went so well that day that I was invited back the following month. Speaking at the school helped me connect with the students of SCS! The following fall, Mr. Parker came in my office once again and this time he gave me a whole sheet to fill out with dates on it. "The kids love it when you speak, Pastor Dave. I think you should speak once a month!!" And that's what I did. Not just in the 1991-1992 school year but every school year up until 2013. The best part about these opportunities was that I had freedom to share on whatever I felt was on my heart. It gave me an opportunity to "test drive" different methods of children's ministry and teaching. You name it and I've tried it! Ventriloquism, puppetry, gospel illusions, costume characters. storytelling...the list goes on! This experience led me to share at other Christian Schools such as Copiague Christian Academy, Emanuel Lutheran School, North Shore Christian School and West Sayville Christian School. West Sayville is where I got the name "The Puppet Guy" which is what the kids still call me.

     I used to love at SCS when I would visit the kids in the cafeteria and they would ask me when I was speaking again. It felt good to know God was using me to touch their hearts. I would joke with them and ask them when they were going to speak in chapel! It also blessed me when some of the parents and my Children's Ministry Workers would visit chapel at SCS to hear me share. Whenever I shared I knew I was in my "element." I knew God was using me. I used to get ideas for my messages in the craziest places...the shower, walking home from church, driving in my car, in the middle of the night and cleaning out my garage. There was only one time that I got an idea in "the eleventh hour." I had no idea what I was going to share and prayed for an idea when all of a sudden "BEFORE BEDTIME God gave me a message. Another time I did get a call the night before from the Principal if I could share the next morning! I always appreciated the 3 Principals at SCS I worked with. Mr. Parker, Mr. Pedersen and Mrs. Golden. All 3 were so supportive of me. At West Sayville and at Emanuel Lutheran School they always gave me a specific theme and scripture verse to share on which I didn't mind. After I left SGT I continued to get calls from Emanuel and West Sayville. Emanuel closed it's doors unfortunately a few years ago. 

     On May 1, 2013 I did my final Chapel at SCS. It was in the sanctuary not in the school auditorium I was accustomed to. It was Grandparents Day in the school so there were many people there. Without going into detail of that horrible season in my life and prolonging it, I was not allowed to share that it was my last Chapel. I used Grandpa Lou and before that I did a Fun song "God is Working on me" by Christian Artist Rob Biagi. I had the motions to that song on the video screen and I will have to admit I got very teary eyed. I knew it would be my final SCS Chapel. Walking out of the sanctuary for the last time was difficult. In fact it was the last time I would ever minister in that sanctuary. 

     Sharing at West Sayville has always been the highlight of my year especially after I left SGT. I never had a problem taking a day off from work knowing I get to share and bear my heart to each student. It always brings me great joy to share the gospel and get to use my talents for the Lord. I am always asked to make sure I bring Grandpa Lou to chapel. One time I decided not to and boy I thought the kids were going to attack me! I certainly hope in 2023 and beyond I get more opportunities to share not only in school chapel services but at other churches. I am excited to see what God has in store for me!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!