Lucy Koch loves to learn, which is what drew her to Congregation Beth Shalom and the Messianic Judaism faith.
"I love that every time you sit down, you learn more," she said.
"There's such coolness in the details (of the Bible). Sometimes to really understand how things work, you have to invest a lot. It's exciting, like when you're a kid."
Koch and her family relocated to North Augusta in 2008, but have been members of a Messianic Jewish congregation for more than five years. The family setting and diversity of Congregation Beth Shalom also made jumping into church participation an easier transition, she said.
"The best thing about this church is I feel like these people are my brothers and sisters," she said.
Koch is one of the rotating leaders of children's services during Shabbat and was also instrumental in implementing children participation during traditional services.
This past weekend she also played a shopkeeper in the church's Hanukkah play.
"I had two lines!" she said.
As Koch has grown in her faith, she said that her favorite Bible verse has changed. Right now, she's enjoying Psalm 27:4, which reads: One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Reach Julia Sellers at julia.sellers@northaugustatoday.com
CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM
LOCATION: 701 Atomic Road
SERVICE TIMES: Shabbat service, Saturday, 11 a.m.
PHONE: (706) 796-3797
WEB SITE: congregationbethshalom.org
