Franklin First UMC received 5 Telly Awards for their work at Christmas and Easter. 

You may remember that during the past 18 months we’ve done several video projects. Within those projects, we did 2 benchmark projects, one at Christmas and the other at Easter. When we began these projects, we had no intention of them being the only way that we were able to do those particular services. When you do video, you begin the planning months ahead of time. When we thought about what we wanted to do, it was always with the intention that these projects would be a support to whatever we were doing in person. And, as time would tell later, both of those projects ended up being the only and safest way we could worship during those times when COVID-19 was at its height and there was not a vaccine available. It’s interesting how God uses those moments in ways that we never expected. We serve a God of perfect vision that prepares that path ahead of us when we cannot see it clearly.

When we did these projects, they were for a specific purpose, to make a way for the congregation of Franklin First UMC to gather together to worship during a year where we all needed to be reminded of a Savior who holds us all. So, we gathered bound by the same spirit, but separate in our homes as we worshipped at Christmas Eve where over 6,000 people joined in. We worshipped at an Easter Sunrise in the early morning on our decks and living rooms as we watched the sun come up from all parts of Williamson County as we celebrated a risen Savior and an empty tomb. It wasn’t just a few of us; it was hundreds that joined us from near and far in the early morning hours on Easter morning. That’s the power of a God that goes before us. But God’s not done yet. Since that time, our Christmas Eve and Easter Sunrise services have had over 1200 additional views online. God made a way where we had not even anticipated that we would need to walk and continues to unfold his message of redemption to everyone who clicks the play button.

These trophies are just trophies. They are pieces of wood and metal, but they represent more. They represent a mighty God who is not bound by time and space. They represent a God who works through flawed people to tell the extraordinary truths of his kingdom in ways that are culturally relevant and obtainable. They represent our Savior who, when we’re willing to say “use me,” uses you in ways and places you never imagined. They represent a God who, in the snap of a finger, can whisper his life-changing truth to someone 50 states and 5 continents away. That’s the beautiful mystery of faith. We don’t know God’s plans. We answer the call to say “use me” and God does the rest.

Scroll to find out more about the Telly Awards, our production company, and links to our award-winning projects.