I really think the Lord is trying to tell us something. This Sunday we celebrated the Lord's Supper for the 5th straight Sunday. In this case it was just their monthly Sunday to observe it. As they celebrated what the Lord has done there were a few interesting particulars. First, they interrupted the Praise time for communion. On the one hand it "felt" early, but then they finished by continuing to sing. It was sort of like an extended doxology, thanking God with our praise for what He had done in Christ.
Communion was served by a group of servers which included men, women and children. This made no statement about leadership but it made a great statement about the inclusiveness of the family of God.
This was a large church, dedicated to the Word and to making disciples. Unlike many newer large churches (this qualified on both counts) there was no snack shop or coffee bar. No refreshments anywhere, except a few in a small room for visitors. No obvious place to gather after the service to hang out. There was a really nice book store in the lobby with a great selection of books. This church emphasized their folks to work together in ministry - of all sorts. From the parking lot attendants to the greeters to the folks at the information desk and at the doors to the auditorium, they all seemed happy to be there and happy to be helping.
On this particular Sunday they were saying goodbye to one of their pastors. He is about 50 years old, has been with the church for 27 years and is well loved and respected. But he has felt burdened to step out in faith and become the senior pastor of a small church plant. Instead of coasting in his golden years, he wants to go out with "his boots on." It was a great send off and the entire church was invited to an all church picnic following the second service.
So what was different about worship in this church. Not all that much in one sense. Except they were serious about studying the Word (I haven't seen this many people taking notes in weeks) and they were serious about doing what it says in a loving and gracious way.
About Me
- Pastor Bob
- I am the senior pastor of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church in Sinking Spring, PA.
Number
Journey to the Promised Land
3 comments:
"I really think the Lord is trying to tell us something..."
What is it that you think the Lord is trying to tell you? Was this statement connected to the impact of having communion five weeks in a row or was there something more?
I think He might be telling us we are in need of increased communion. Communion though in a much broader deeper sense than just the celebratory participation in the elements.
Trust you have a great week at Pinebrook.
You're not getting ecumenical on us, are you? LOL By the way Pastor, you need to know that there are a great many voyeurs out there looking at your site and yet refraining from personal comment (you know who your are!)Many of them are 20- to early 30- somethings whose perspectives and feedback could really enrich our understanding (now I'm being annoying.) Go to Pinebrook and go away they're all saying... I still have Internet access there (--:
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