Thursday, March 17, 2022

With Covid's declining worship attendance, a recent article stated that the pandemic has raised a serious question - what is the point of going to church anyway? Just light up the computer or turn on the radio. Our Lutheran tradition may provide one obvious answer – Communion. Communion is one important aspect of Christian worship that YouTube can't replicate. But there are other considerations. Our efforts to show up can encourage and uphold our church leaders. That presence supports the work of our pastors and worship leaders to study, plan and prepare OUR worship services.
 
Gathered worship is one significant aspect of being part of the church. When I choose not to attend, I feel that something is missing. Something happens when we are physically together in worship that teaches us how to love each other, by guiding us into the biblical story together and planting that story into our everyday life and actions.
 
No, I don’t walk out of church every Sunday with a full belly, but that doesn’t mean it is pointless to go. I believe that in many (some tiny) ways, over time, I am better able to lead a more Christian life. And worshiping with a church family can lead to a network of caring and sharing relationships. Hopefully my smile and my wave from six feet away and my voice raised in praise (off key and behind my pandemic mask) are meaningful to others. Maybe this is what being the image of God means. We can represent our unseen God to one another in shared worship. And back to that old hymn, maybe this is the best reason.... we gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing.
 
Together, Together,
We are many, Different faces,
God's great diversity, different races,
yet we are one in Christ. yet we are one in Christ
 
Together, Together,
Butchers, bakers, Fathers, mothers,
website makers, Sisters, brothers,
bankers, tailors, Single, married,
teachers, sailors, broken, carried,
yet we are one in Christ. yet we are one in Christ

A worship family torn apart, mars God's image, breaks God's heart,
We pray to God for the day to be, when gathered together singing sweet harmony. Thanks be to God.
 
Herm Harrington