Did you know that there is a spiritual habit of “Gathering?” This is the label that we give it in our church when we include it on the spiritual habits list. Some might use the term “meeting” or “assembling” or “get-together,” or even “fellowship.” But I would use the basis for this spiritual habit from two major Scripture passages in the Bible…
- Acts 2:41-47
- Hebrews 10:24-25
Look these passages up before you come to service this Sunday and use the filter of the importance of gathering with God’s people as your context.
Over the last few years we all know that what the world has had to deal with. We in turn at LifeWay had to work our way through this as well. Online meetings only, stay at home, don’t get near anyone. We all have our opinions of it, and many of us might have dealt with it differently. But the bottom line, we did learn to do so many things ‘virtually’ — school classes, business meetings, ordering groceries that could be delivered instead of actually going to the store. We’ve all had to work our way through this, including the church family. I too did many things virtually and found some of it beneficially. We STILL to this cday have many of our Tuesday prayer meetings online and find that very meaningful. HOWEVER (and this is not a political or social commentary) life is NOT ever meant to be lived virtually or in an online only way. We are meant to meet together — eye to eye – around the table – in person. This is not just a good idea, but it is a spiritual habit that cannot be neglected. This coming Sunday morning, I have the privilege of centering our teaching around the spiritual habit of “Gathering.” I will not only talk about some practical ways this is applied, but WHY this cannot be overlooked.
Now — about Sunday July 2nd. I certainly realize that for many of you this might even be a four day weekend — and maybe you will not be gathering in person with us because you might have a holiday weekend plan that will take you away. That’s great. But I will be here, and many of you will too. And here’s how we are going to celebrate and enjoy this long July 4th holiday season together.
- Our service will be outside under our tent. We have chairs out and a small band to play. The weather forecast is fabulous. It’s the beginning of July. It’s a holiday weekend, so we are going to meet outside in festive style.
- We will NOT be live streaming the service because we are outside. I would ask that if you are in town, then come to the tent meeting and enjoy some outdoor worship with the family.
- We WILL be having a POTLUCK lunch to help us not only launch our holiday, but accent the very thing that is often described in the book of Acts… they met… they worshipped… they ate together! The service itself will be a little shorter than normal, because as part of our worship we will eat together.
RED, WHITE AND BLUE CHURCH POTLUCK!
- YOU need to bring FOOD! So bring a dish Sunday morning. Bring either some kind of main dish or a vegetable style dish – enough for your household and a little more. A true potluck style! We will have drinks already here, but all the food is provided by us who eat.
- But to spice it up a little and have some holiday fun… I am calling on you to make it either “RED” – “WHITE” — or “BLUE!” Get creative here. If you can’t figure out how to make a soup or a lasagna dish one of those colors, then top it off with a cherry, a blueberry, or some whipped cream! I get to judge how creative you might be.
See you Sunday morning under the tent! Happy 4th everyone!
