Churches!

I've tried to make the most of having time when I can actually visit other churches - to worship, listen and learn without having to be 'up front'. (You guys in the pews don't know how blessed you are 😉😂 !) It's so good to be able to just respond, without having to think about what's coming next, and how everybody in the church is getting on.

The danger is that a vicar in the pews starts thinking either "Ooooh, well I wouldn't do it like that!" or "Hmmmm that's a good idea, I could use that!"

So far I've visited a lovely cafe church celebration of Pentecost at St Martin's Sherwood, my nieces Independent church in Northern Ireland, a traditional country church in Devon, a morning communion service at St Margaret's Aspley, and had a morning in bed (just because I could!) watching YouTube services....... Attended a full [and long!] baptism of 14 adults, children and babies at St Stephen & St Pauls, Hyson Green. It was great to hear and see Farsi being included in the service and hear testimonies of God's power....and I got a delicious samosa at the end of the service!

A lovely celebration of St Peter in St Peter's Radford!. It was maybe the most multi cultural service I've been to, as it wasn't just 2 main ethnic groups but several different ones - being encouraged by their vicar to move out of their comfort zone to speak to people they didn't know, who maybe didn't look like them! Lots of children, families & older people too! (unfortunately I couldn't stay for the BBQ afterwards :-( )

The next week on the LLM weekend, I did church...whoops! As James was called away, I took the Holy Communion service he had prepared, with a reflection rather than a sermon. Good to know I still knew what I was doing....and I quite enjoyed doing it too (maybe God has called me to do this kind of thing!)

First Sunday away in Schleswig, Germany I tried going to church, but struggled with the fact I couldn't understand anything AND they didn't stand up to sing hymns!

Second Sunday away I googled local English speaking churches to no avail, so we admired God's creation, listened to worship music and talked about our Lectio 365, and also the book I'm reading!

Didn't get to a church service again when abroad, in fact kind of lost track of what day it was! We did visit (with guided tour from a minister!) the Cathedral and the Secret Catholic Church in Dordrecht though.

However did watch and enjoy quite a few YouTube services from my home church https://www.youtube.com/@stannwithemmanuelchurch2725. Lovely to know that all is going well - great home team, and some lovely visitors. Like we have been saying - the Church is ALL OF US, not just the people at the front, or those with collars on!

Our last free Sunday we wanted to do something different, so went to Trent Vineyard together (again, nice to be able to sit in the congregation with my husband and worship together!). We enjoyed coffee before the service, and were impressed by John the leader taking time to share how the unrest in Nottingham had directly impacted church members, so giving a different and real perspective - then we prayed in small groups. The worship was good, and the talk on Jonah inspiring - thinking about the "trajectory of Grace" - how throughout the Bible God takes the things that we've messed up and makes them good (not because we deserve it, but because of His mercy & grace!)

However good it is to have all the amazing resources (in people, money and things) a large church has, I like a church where you can be known - where you will be missed if you're not there, where you can make a difference just by being there. That's why we talk about church as "family" - we may disagree over things, but we are all together: trying to follow Jesus, and help each other along.

But all the different churches I have visited, and those I have watched online, may have different preferred ways of worship - but as long as we are seeking to worship Jesus Christ, and encourage each other to follow Him, then we are ALL His family.

I pray, O God, for all those who are seeking you earnestly today, and for every group of men and women who are meeting together to praise and magnify your name. Whatever their way of worship, I ask you in your love to accept their sincere offering of prayers and praise, and lead them into life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen** (An old prayer by John Baillie)

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What might God be saying?

Church is important. It's great that you can watch so many services from all over the world on YouTube. It's great that you can join your own church online when you're unable to get to church. But it's not the same!

A question that get's asked often is "Do you need to go to church to be a Christian?"

Well, I think the answer is no.....and yes! The Holy Spirit is active in ALL the world - you can be utterly saved by Jesus without ever darkening the door of a church....

You can read the Bible and Pray at home, you can sing along to worship songs....

But it's not the same! We are called to be the family of God, to encourage, build up and challenge one another, and that can only be done as we participate as part of a CHURCH!

1 Timothy 3 describes the church as

'God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth' 1 Thessalonians 3 says '11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.'

These are things that can only be done in community with others - in the church family!

A final verse from Hebrews 10:

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The welcome you receive is SO important - does it feel like people are really interested in you? Do people speak to you after the service as well as welcoming you when you come in? That can be a time when as a newcomer/visitor you feel a bit at a loss. There may be coffee available, but unless someone comes up to you and invites you personally to join them, you might well just slip out unnoticed!

Some folks like the sermon, some folks like the sung worship, some folks like the refreshments and chat afterwards, and don't get me started on people's preferences for types of music, amount of liturgy, dress and style!

But we are not there to please people primarily - we are there to worship God, and please Him! It also matters that what we do is accessible and understandable to newcomers, as well as reassuring and helpful to regulars.

We always have to be looking upwards to God, inwards to the church family, and outwards to visitors/newcomers (remembering that the atmosphere and welcome are probably more important than the sermon or song choices!)

Many people go through these stages: 1. Belong - they like coming, they feel welcome, they want to come back, they make friends. 2. Believe - the truth of our faith seeps into their brains & hearts, and they decide to follow Jesus.

3. Behave - any aspects of their behaviour or lifestyle that need changing are brought to them by the work of God's Holy Spirit who comforts and convicts us.