10-11-2021

 Good Morning All!

       Hebrews 10:25; “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

    The discussion will soon occur. It is the discussion that perks up the ears of even the most recalcitrant confirmand. It starts with the question, “do you have to go to church?”  Of course, all the confirmands, in the most serious tone they can muster, answer, “oh, definitely!”  Then I will respond, “have to? No” “should? Yes.”  This usually leads to the conspiratorial side glances that only middle school kids can give. Then the bravest tentatively asks, “so we don’t have to go to church?”  I tell them, “No, attending church is not a requirement of salvation. There is nothing we can do or must do for salvation. Salvation is earned by Christ, not by you.”  Then the discussion gets lively!

   So, why do we attend worship services? There are multiple reasons, among them are hearing God’s Word, hearing the absolution pronounced to us, partaking in the body and blood of Jesus but one of the reasons we often miss is that in our gathering together, we are to “encourage one another.”  This is a vital part of being part of the Church, part of the body of Christ. We are part of something, we are connected to other believers, we are not a singular unit but part of the body. One of the primary reasons we go to worship services is for our fellow believer. This is especially important to remember as we have become accustomed to staying home because of covid and many churches continuing a strong electronic service offering. It is easy to stay home and listen to or watch worship services. But when we do this, we are missing the fellowship, the “consolation of the brothers.”

   We miss welcoming back the member who is recovering from surgery. We miss offering the hug of sympathy to the family who lost a parent. We miss encouraging the family who has a member in the service and away on duty. We miss consoling the member who is waiting for the test results to come back or lost his job. We miss the joy of celebrating of a newly married couple, a newly joined member, or a newly baptized child. We miss encouraging one another, we miss building one another up, joining together in the prayer of consolation and healing when one is in pain and offering praise to God when we rejoice in His blessings.

   Radio, TV, Facebook, YouTube, or whatever method your church uses is a fantastic outreach tool. These can bring you the Word of Jesus when you are unable to attend. Yet this should not be an excuse because neglecting to meet together not only harms us, but it also harms our fellow believers who may need your encouragement, your embrace, your touch at a critical time in their life. Do not neglect meeting together but encourage one another that we may all face the day of challenge with comfort and hope.

Father, you have made us your mystical body through Jesus. Guide us to see the value and the importance of joining together. Guide us to walk your path with our fellow believers that we may encourage one another, support one another, build up one another and live together in harmony and peace. In the name of Jesus, our risen and returning Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret