Good morning…
Many of you have written to me about how much you miss church. We miss entering the beloved building. We miss worshipping and learning, socializing and serving together. We miss cozying up in the warmth of our timeless traditions and bonding as Christ’s body with God and each other. Still many church doors remain closed as the threat of gathering in big groups is too risky with COVID.
This week, a friend from church sent me a great quote that helped me to think outside the box.
I absolutely love this too. I look forward to the day when we will return to the sanctuary of the church, praising God together again. But until then, might we look for creative ways to praise God outside the church walls? During car rides, any time of day or night. In the hot, soothing stream of each steamy shower. As we sip and savor our morning coffee. At the gym (if it’s open), at home, or in the outdoors as we are strengthened, mind, body, and spirit. In the midst of collaborative conversations with friends and family, by text, email, phone, or face to face. As we keep in passionate prayer the needs of struggling strangers across our globe. Might gratitude for God’s healing presence expand into every inch of our day, every day of the week?
“Don’t let a building confine your faith,” says this quote, “because we will never change the world by just going to church. We need to be the church.”
“Church,” in the New Testament, is the Greek word ekklesia. It comes from ek, meaning “out from and to” and kaleo, meaning “to call,” and has to do with a group of people called out from one place and to another. As believers, the ekklesia, the church, we have been called out of the world and into intimacy with God. During this unprecedented time, might we as Christ-followers be called us out of the church walls to God directly, empowered by the Spirit to be the church in life-changing new ways?
May all believers continue to live the wonderful lives God has called them to live, according to what he assigns for each person, for this is what I teach to believers everywhere (1 Corinthians 7:17, TPT).
…Sue…
P.S. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com.
P.S.S. This morning might God be calling you to Northside Church’s new, online Sunday schedule?
8:00AM · Traditional Worship
Rev. Jeff Rogers Preaching
9:00AM · Contemporary Worship
Dr. Bill Burch Preaching
11:15AM · Traditional Worship
Rev. Jeff Rogers Preaching
