Sunday was our annual assembly of the Family of God (see pictures at the end). The purpose of this event is to help keep the brethren from the different congregations spread out over the metropolitan area in contact with one another. Also, it encourages those Christians who meet every week with just a small group of believers to remember that they are an important part of something much bigger.

God blessed the event this year so that everything went without a hitch. We all came away encouraged by the fellowship. There were 744 present, representing 21 congregations, some came from as far away as a three hours’ drive. Our retired fire marshal, Cicero, 72, preached on this year’s theme of “A Family at the Foot of the Cross”. Everyone liked the centrally located school with its large auditorium where it was held this time. This was the first time we held it at this school. Afterwards many commented that they would like us to hold it there next year. So, Antonio Silva (evangelist with the Peixinhos congregation) and I went back to the school the next day sand tentatively secured it for Sunday, September 29, 2019.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore.”
─ Psalm 133