WATCHWORD:
19 That evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors, in fear of the Jewish leaders, when suddenly Jesus was standing there among them! After greeting them, 20 he showed them his hands and side. And how wonderful was their joy as they saw their Lord! John 20:19-20
19 I also tell you this—if two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I will be right there among them. Matthew 18:19-20
Meditation:
Hurting Our Churches?
This morning, in the midst of our devotionals, I had this thought: When this pandemic is passed and we are free to worship within the church, what will our numbers look like? Will some of our families not return, or will others join us?
During this pandemic, many have drawn closer to our Lord and Savior without the benefit of lectionary, hymns or sermons delivered in the physical structure of our church buildings. Many found the comfort of in-home worship, finding it to have a special flavor, a special meaning. It’s more than just the informality, the comfort of pjs, a warm cup of tea or coffee as we pray and view previously recorded worship services.
Perhaps, it was something else, the realization that “where two or more are gathered in His name”, He is there with us. He is right there in our living rooms, at our breakfast tables, on the porch or deck as morning has broken. How will that change your expectations once your church has opened up, and now you are in your pew and your pastor stands at the pulpit?
The history of the Christian church, started with home churches. Little gatherings of families, hearing for the first time the Word of God. Early Christian churches were closely knit, marked by fellowship and mutual support, hallmarks of that time in the growth of our faith. Yes, there was the persecution, and the threat posed by those who saw in the Walk of Jesus the Christ a refuting of what they believed. Yet, through that adversity the whole church grew and prospered and became a spiritual force in the world.
What is the Lord saying to us as we stand at the verge of our society opening, maybe, too soon? Could it be that God wants us to return to those early moments of the church, defined in terms of gathering of believers not a physical structure. Could it be that the Lord wants us to remember where we came from because of him, because of the death of his Son and because of the Resurrection and the Promise. I believe that the Lord is instructing us, again, to practice the making of disciples, to reaching out more broadly, to faithfully exercising the Commandment, “loving others as I have loved you.”
Here’s a thought: The church of Jesus Christ, our Savior, is within us. Think about that, pray about that, and know that you are a Child of God. Amen.
Graham’s Comment on Sunday’s Watchword: I want to share an aspect of the Jesus prayer! I combined it with ”Breath Prayer”. Here is how: Breathe in as u say, “Lord Jesus Christ“ Think of him filling you! Breathe out and say, “Son of God.“ Breathe in, as I say “Have mercy on me”, think of God’s grace poured out for you. Breathe out as U say, “A Sinner”. You release the hold of past sins into God’s forgiving care! Groombridge
Bulletin Board:
Hawthorn Trail — Our sympathies to Doris Carpenter on the death of her husband, Jim, Sunday morning, at Peabody. She had a good visit with him Saturday afternoon. He seemed fine. The nurses told her his passing was peaceful. Jim Carpenter was 91 years old. Marie Willoughby.
Update — Good morning all, Nancy is at Lutheran Rehabilitation Hospital learning to walk and talk and just get around. She will mostly come home still re-learning those basic functions, so I’m going to have my hands full. But, it will be nice to just have her home again. There will be a meeting later today where they will decide when that will happen. Thanks for all your prayers. God, Bless you All, Larry Jamerson.
A smile for the day — A priest and a pastor are standing by the side of a road holding up ?a sign that reads “The end is near! Turn around now before it’s too late!” A passing driver yells, “You guys are nuts!” and speeds past them. From around the curve, they hear screeching tires—then a big splash. The priest turns to the pastor and says, “Do you think we should just put up a sign that says ‘Bridge Out’ instead?”
Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.
Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dew fall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight, Mine is the morning
Born of the One Light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God’s re-creation of the new day.
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word
–Cat Stevens
Morning Blessing:
Bless the Lord, Oh my soul. All that is within me, bless His Holy name. Amen.
