When I arrived the musicians were warming up.
Coffee, king cakes and goodies were set out for Transfiguration, the last Sunday of Epiphany, before the Great Fast of Lent begins this Ash Wednesday.
I love that there is a fun, comfortable place set aside for young kids and their families.
As people arrived, more goodies seemed to appear, a last bash before the goodies disappear for Lent.
Candidate for ministry Amber Harboldt on staff offered a heartfelt welcome, has the most explicit spoken welcome to the LGBT community I have heard in a congregation. In the intercessions they also prayed for the Ukraine and those in gender-affirming treatment, poignant prayers this week.
Martha from Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM) was present to receive the “wall of Ramen.” CAM distributed nearly 1 million pounds of food in 2021, 700,000 meals to feed over 20,000 hungry folks.
Like goodies table, the Ramen noodles for CAM continued to grow.
Pastor Ryan Dockery
Families are invited to light candles for those in the Ukraine or any prayer requests on their minds.
By the end of worship shrimp and grits had shown up, as well as bread pudding and a veritable feast.
Pastor Ryan Dockery and family
After worship, a small group of about a dozen gathered, including one participant online.

Celebration Cypress is a small, open and affirming RIC congregation on the northwest side of Houston, about 15 years old.