BIND US TOGETHER LORD!
I'm excited about this Sunday morning for our traditional and contemporary services will come together as one to worship the Lord. We will gather for a time of fellowship around 9:00 followed by woship at 9:45. It promises to be a wonderful morning as we blend the great hymns of the faith with some of the more contemporary songs of praise. The organ and piano will play, as will the guitars and drums. The choir will sing and the praise band will lead us in worship as well. And you can be sure the word of God will be preached!
One of the knocks on the modern day church is the fact that it is often so divisive, arguing over things that don't really matter - color of carpet, placement of pictures, length of hair, styles of clothes, styles of music, order of service, etc. etc. In a day where people are not making an effort to go to church, they sure don't want to attend a gathering that is divided or argumentative. Heck, they experience that all day long at work or at home. Why deal with more of it at church, of all places? Not to mention that the church is a terrible witness to others when we find ourselves divided.
Jesus knows how we are - messy, conflictual, territorial, prideful, self-centered. That's why he prayed to the Father for us in John 17 that "they may be one as we are one- I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity" (vv.22-23). So often we become so accustomed to doing what we've always done, we don't know why we do it. Then all of a sudden we get defenseive or upset if the order of worship changes, if there is no bulletin, if the music changes, if someone sits in our seat (God forbid).
The purpose of us coming together this Sunday is that we might gather as the unified Body of Christ, having fellowship one with the other, sharing in our joys and our concerns, singing praises to God, exalting God as the God who does not divide but unites us under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our intent also is to show the surrounding community that we are one body made up of many different people who have different gifts and graces yet have a common goal to "Invite ALL to experience the life-transforming love of Jesus Christ." The church is always a witness, either good or bad. It is our desire to be a good witness for Jesus Christ as we come together as His body.
So, plan to come to worship on Sunday. The order will be a little different. The time will be different. You will sing an extra song or two. You will probably sit in a different spot next to people you may not know. But know this, we will be worshiping the same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who not only suggested, but commanded that we be ONE in His name. Let it be so!
See you on Sunday!
