A few days ago, when I got out of my car I was greeted by the noise of hundreds of starlings gathering in the trees around the parsonage. The noise was simply amazing and LOUD. They were all gathering together to begin their migration south as the colder weather moves in.
How about you? Are you needing to gather with a group of fellow humans to re-connect before the colder weather arrives? Or perhaps some parts of your life already feel cold and a bit deserted. Something seems to be missing, but no matter how hard you work or play or do those things that make for a healthy life there’s still a restlessness that persists.
We are created to need one another and we are created with a deep need for God in our lives. Probably deeper than any instinct we are driven by these two needs. They come very close to the center of our souls. For this reason alone, disagreements or conflicts about religious beliefs become so heated and even violent.
Coming together in Christian community fills both those needs. Be it for worship, for Bible study, to help with the fair or one of the dinners or to help with a mission opportunity, when people come together under the umbrella of Church something more than just a gathering or work party results. Some presence makes itself felt and moves through the group.
The laughter and the joy that emerge are the music of the spirit. The more we gather and the more people that gather, the louder the music of all our spirits joined together becomes. We find our restless spirits quieted. We find a place that feels just right. Warm, safe, sheltered yet ready to over flow with the love that enters our hearts.
Our lives are a long journey. At times, often times, we need to flock together and join our voices in prayer and praise to the Lord. It’s not about being worthy or good enough or having gifts to offer. It is about meeting the basic need of ours to gather together with our fellow brothers and sisters and join together on the journey before us.
Sunday School has started – so there is a place for children and adults alike. Choir returns the first Sunday in October, so there is a place for your voice to lift itself heavenward. The first Youth Group meeting is Sunday the 26th and there will be places for youth in particular, but also helpful adults to work for mission, fellowship and music. Monday evening Bible Study will continue to look at a few Gospel passages each week. (This group will move to a daytime in Nov.) The Crafters are hard at work getting ready for the Columbus week-end Fair.
There’s a place for everyone and anyone to gather with us and find that fellowship and ways to let their voices make a joyful noise to the Lord.
Shalom,
Pastor Lynne
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