It was more than just cabin fever or being cooped up for a few days. I missed the fellowship and the encouragement of worship. On January 5, our church – like many other area churches – canceled services due to the severe weather. So I turned on the radio and listened to some of the local services that still took place on that cold and icy Sunday. I listened as God’s Word was proclaimed. I was encouraged in my faith. I was able to hear about my God and Savior and how he took on flesh to save me from my sins. And this was all from the warmth and comfort of my own home. It was nice, but it wasn’t the same. I missed Sunday morning worship.
There is just something about being together that you can’t replace. There is just something about gathering around the gospel while surrounded by fellow believers. It’s a blessing that God gives. God feeds and nourishes our faith through Word and Sacraments while our presence at worship together enables us to encourage one another. The faithful man who is there every week is an encouragement to the pastor and to the congregation. The busy family that goes through the effort of getting the kids dressed and ready is a welcome sight to those who remember doing the same, way back when. The young woman who is there on her own accord, when so many her own age choose not to come, is a testament to the importance of this word of truth to all of us.
In this blessed group our hearts our lifted whenever we meet in God’s house. Our spirits are refreshed when we confess our sins and receive the forgiveness that God graciously gives to us through Christ. Our voices rise in thankful prayer and praise to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
If you haven’t been to church in a while I encourage you to go. Go and be encouraged in your faith. Go and encourage someone else simply by being there. Come and listen to the good news of Jesus who loves you so much that he came to this world to live and die and rise again to pay for our sins and to give us the free gift of heaven. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-24)