What you miss when your eyes aren’t open all the way and your ears are in the ignore state.
It is always interesting to return to open worship after being away for a while. When attending regularly there are many things taken for granted and it isn’t until you are absent for a period that you notice things that cause you to reconsider why you ever attended in the first place.
Sunday, March 27, 2022, I finally made it back to attending church in person. It’s been two years since I last attended in person, and I was delighted to visit with all my friends and Sunday School attendees. There were several observations that I thought worth mentioning:
First, all the people that greeted me with a huge smile, handshake and a hug never once contacted me and my wife over the last two years. There is one couple we are close to and the wife visits with her contemporary weekly and we all get together for holiday meals, birthday celebrations, and other special occasions. However, with that said, no one else bothered to see if the wife and I were okay. I used to meet with the pastor weekly but since COVID-19 that went away, and I hope to get back together with the pastor on a weekly basis.
Second, the teaching was good. The associate pastor gave a short testimony based on Psalm 51 and then began the seminary lecture where people were pulled into the Old Testament to see the foreshadow of what Christ would endure. Regardless, the sermon was interesting for those who do not know the story. Oh sure, it’s the Lenten season and the refresher of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is good to revisit and remind everyone why we are here, and the reason Jesus came.
Third, was the tacking the elements and the benediction: This was completed by the senior pastor and what startled me was the communications. What he said was, “however you understand this, or however you believe;” then he proceeded to repeat the words of Jesus during his last Passover, or as we call it, the last supper.
What was disturbing is why people who say they love the Lord and follow Him never attempt to contact others in the congregation to see how they are doing: No email, texting, phone call, or snail mail, not even the church takes interest in their people wellbeing except if people are close friends and a major contributor to the churches bank account? It is even more important during a crisis such as the pandemic to let your congregation know you care, and for those who know each other to check up on one another.
This Sunday, April 3, 2022, I will attend again and pray for a miracle.
Thanks for taking the time to read my experience.
Mike,
2 April 2022
Views: 11