From Ben – 5 December 2021

This is our first Sunday back in the church building after the longest lockdown in our history. We have been shut out of our church for over 100 days. During this time I have spent many days alone at the church preparing sermons, bible studies and having private devotions. Over this protracted time I have become more aware than ever of how important community and being together in corporate worship really is. I have often paid reference to that passage in Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…”

Now I am aware that being out of church has not been our choice but it has been legislated by the Covid-19 lockdown, but thankfully we can now be back under a raft of restrictions. Being together in worship, prayer and teaching is strongly encouraged in many places in God’s word. I note that as soon as the church was birthed, they came together Acts 2:42. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.” The true church of Christ is a gathered worshipping community. I was surprised to see that there are over 30 reference in the N.T. instructing the early church on how to love, pray for, help, support and nurture one another. This body life of Christian fellowship can only be realised in community. I do realise that some people may be hesitant to return just yet, but may I encourage you not to leave it too long, as it is clear in Scripture and my experience, that we need the encouragement and inspiration of corporate worship. A well-known Christian minister would often repeat a statement as he addressed Christian conferences around the world, “There is no place like the local church…”

I heartily agree, thank you Lord, for our church.