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The Sunday Chicken Dinner Treatment

Debby P Goes to Church and Reports In!

April 18, 2011

I love checking things out for you all here on Macaroni Kid.  Not only do I check out restaurants and businesses that want to advertise with us locally but also places of worship.  I'm all for it!  Churches are an integral part of many of our familie's communities and I am honored to help pass the word about the offerings that are out there.  Churches are tricky for publications but I'm confident that you all know that MKR supports all congregations and will do what we can to showcase your events and offerings to our community.

As far as checking places out, it's a win win for me.   I love mingling with new people and I love to see what each place offers for families that might think it a good match. Freedom Fellowship Church was my target a few weeks ago and I'll tell you why.   This particular church is actually operated in part by two local Mac Kid families!  I know these families and have spent much time with them -- BEFORE I knew that they served the local community in such a manner!  I had no idea!  Of COURSE I would come check out their church! 

Chris Lagrosse and Kim Inkenhaus are both Mac Kid moms and bring their children to Mac Kid Robinson events left and right.   They are sisters AND wait for it...their mother, is the Pastor of Freedom Fellowship and has been serving the Christian church since a young teen and for the past 35 years as a mother and wife!  

 

My mission was easy!  These families have already shown to me such kindness and generosity in so many ways--- finding out that they run a local church offers me a no brainer.  I MUST check this out for you all and check it out I DID!

 

Freedom Fellowship Church of Pittsburgh is actually located in the downtown business district of Carnegie PA.  A quaint little area that has gone through obvious re-urbanization.  It's beautiful and has such an old time feel!  Cobblestone and painted parking meters.  It's lovely!  I never knew it existed though I live 20 minutes from it!  

There are tons of traditional churches in Carnegie complete with spires and gothic architecture but perhaps you missed Freedom Fellowship Church of Pittsburgh as it's in a storefront type of setting.

I don't want you to miss this church because it was simply such a wonderful experience for our entire family that it might just be the perfect option for yours!  

 

Walking in we were greeted immediately before even getting through the beautiful antique doors.  Not a wilted, library setting greeting.  A hand out, genuine smile from ear to ear " HELLO HOW ARE YOU " greeting from several church patrons who were there milling about.  I immediately felt like I was in the South. Smiles abound and welcoming hands!  We were immediately at ease.

 

 I found Kim and Chris and they helped me to guide my  chipper kiddos down the newly carpeted halls and freshly painted walls towards the children's ministry area.  Peyton and Madalynn skipped right into the nursery area and Emma my 7 year old was headed right in for some Wii golf before the older class began!  

 

We were left to ourselves.  A rare occasion!!?  

 So we headed on in to the "church" area.  Not sure what to expect. Comfortably greeted again and shown to our seats.  We felt like royalty.  How kind everyone was.  Projection screen on the wall and some musical instruments up on the stage.  What were we in for?  This was some high tech stuff!  I was LOVING IT!  

After some kickin music and beautiful vocalists  we got to meet Pastor Debbie Roden.  By meet I mean " see her in action."  

Pastor Debbie Roden is a southern transplant from Texas and while she's been a "Burgher" for years and years-- she hasn't lost that southern drawl , that spit fire nor those southern euphemisms that are killer great!  

"Put that in your knowers..."  "Crazy good!"

She's a hoot to watch and I so very much enjoyed listening to her speak.  I kept looking around thinking--- "Really?  This is church?  This is  KINDA FUN!"   While the delivery was unique and refreshing , the message was the same.  Biblical concepts applied to your own life.   I found myself enjoying my time there with a rare fire.  I'm not a church goer, friends.  This woman-- caught my attention and I listened.  

Her personality is so very refreshingly unique , she resonated with me.  Real, genuine and engaging.  The congregation is quaint so there is much opportunity for connection.  When she was speaking-- and she looked at me.  She was LOOKING at me.  I could feel it.  That was so nice.  

I also very much enjoyed hearing her talk about her time as a mother and the lessons she learned and I loved how she applied those principles to our everyday lives.  Her sermon was delivered in  such a down home, Sunday Chicken Dinner way---- that I walked away smiling and feeling as if I had just left the cleared dinner table with my favorite Aunt.  You know.  That one Aunt.  The one who just seems to know something about everything.    My husband seconded the notion.  

 

Our girls had a great time in their classes and asked when we could go back as soon as we got into the car.  What I took away from my time checking out this place for you all-- was a sense of warmth and welcoming.  A sense of family within a family and a sense that the people of this church wanted to know me.  It was refreshing and I've actually gone back since.  

If you'd like to know more about Freedom Fellowship Church please feel free to check out their website @ Freedom Fellowship .

 FFOP is a Christian based church and they are welcoming to all friends.  There is no "joining."  There are no requirements.  As Pastor Debbie Roden said over and over.  God loves you.  That's what she wants you to know after visiting Freedom Fellowship.  

 

They soon will begin Angel Food Ministries and can be found at several local fairs and events this summer looking to meet new friends like YOU!  Services begin at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings.

 

 If you check them out tell them I sent you their way.  I'd tell you to make sure you ask for the "Sunday chicken dinner treatment " but I'm confident I wasn't special-- and that you'll be treated exactly the same. :) 

 

Debby P