Wesley Word – October 5, 2022

Carolyn Lemaster   -   October 5, 2022

To go along with service on: Sunday, October 9th, 2022

Experiencing Grace

Exploring Truth

Hebrews 10:19-25

Promises: Presence

We are continuing our series based on our membership vows called Promises. When we become members of a local church in the United Methodist Church we promise that we will faithfully participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. Today, we look at the promise of presence.

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times, “You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.”

First, what do we mean by going to church? Christians don’t go to church, we are the church. We, the church, the people, go to worship, and various other activities, often in a church building, but, properly speaking, we do not go to church. Through COVID we learned that being the church is so much more than gathering on Sunday morning but we also re-learned how important gathering really is.

So, to reframe the question, “Do Christians have to attend corporate worship?” We know that the Christian life is so much more than showing up on Sunday morning. And, we know that perfect attendance is not required, or even possible, for a number of reasons, including health, work, and family obligations. But what does the Bible actually say?

Our text from Hebrews 10 reminds us that, first of all, it is only because of what Jesus did on the cross that we even can worship. We have the confidence to enter the holy place only through the blood of Jesus. We are also told not to give up meeting together. The Bible commands us to gather for worship. When we gather together, Hebrews says, we are to encourage and provoke one another to love and do good deeds.

 

Question for Reflection/Discussion:

  1. What did COVID teach me about different ways to be the church and about the importance of gathering for worship?
  2. How can we provoke one another to love and good deeds?

 

New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/

  • October 5    Colossians 1:18-2:7
  • October 6    Colossians 2:8-23
  • October 7    Colossians 3:1-17
  • October 8    Colossians 3:18-4:18
  • October 9    1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8
  • October 10    1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13
  • October 11    1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3
  • October 12    1 Thessalonians 5:4-28

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

This week made me stop and really pause on how to complete this section of the Wesley word. It’s hard, we collectively are busy people. Everyone is going in every direction all the time.  I admit I do. However, that is not what made me stop and pause this week. It was the fact that I know that I can safely worship in my home, in my car while listening to music in the background, and currently 2 times a week in my church building. We can gather as the Church within the global Church that we are part of without fear. We are present in many different ways as members of Christ’s body at Wesley, ways that not all Christians are able to be. This is the part that made me pause. Some Christians around the world sit in God’s presence and read his word in their own home and can be arrested. I do not have to fear that. Some Christians gather as a small house Church, groups of 10-15 people, and these Christians will be arrested. Just holding a Bible, the word of God, is dangerous. I (we) do not have to fear this either. So let us make that commitment for ourselves and for all Christians all over that we will be present in our church building, by worship, by committee members, and by speaking to other members of our Wesley family outside of worship services. Let us be present for our Father God, his most Holy Son and the most soothing of the Holy Spirit. Let us renew our presence because we can do so without fear, unlike many Christians who would very much welcome the opportunity for service like we are able to attend.

Activity: Make a list/discuss with those people in your household or friends how you have wanted to serve our Church and its members, but you stopped yourself. Is there a way for you to serve and be more present in our Church and Wesley Church now?

 

Announcements

 

  • WOW (Wesley on Wednesdays) 6:00 pm. Refreshments, devotions, adult classes, and programming for youth and children.
  • CROP Hunger Walk Fundraiser—Tuesday, October 11, 11am-11pm at Applebee’s.  Order from the special Together We Care menu and 50% of the food sales will support CROP!
  • Jackson Concert Series presents Eric Plutz, Organist.  Friday, October 21 at 7:30 pm