Joy In Serving Together
OPENING PRAYER:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 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 10:24-25, NIV)
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 17-18
REFLECT:
Weekly church attendance during this time of Covid precautions of social distancing and masking up has been very challenging for us as believers. We enjoy the weekly praise and worship time at Pathway. The words, music and spirit are such an encouragement to our hearts to reach out to God. However, “listening” to the worship from the comfort of your home TV or computer screen is quite different from “live” worship. Now everyone is different, but there is something very special about “in person” over “remote” worship. Walking into the lobby this past Sunday, our family sees many friendly faces to brighten our day. As we head to our ministry station to pray and take our places as “section leaders”, there is anticipation for what God may do. We have friendly conversations with several couples and families as we get to our section in the sanctuary. Sylvia has brother Robert who is deathly sick with Covid. Tony is new to our section and we learn he is out of work. We add to our prayer list and we share encouraging words with everyone we greet! These special moments are not possible if we sit in our living room and watch church online while we eat our breakfast. We are so thankful and blessed by our church family at Pathway!
APPLY:
Not to be insensitive to those who are homebound or have circumstances that keep them from “attending” live worship, there is still a lot we can do to encourage the body of Christ remotely! Keep a prayer journal with names and requests of those with needs in the church. You can text, call, email or even Zoom with others to ask them, “how are you doing during this crazy time of Covid pandemic?” Make note of how they respond…are they tired? Perhaps down in the spirit? Could they use an encouraging word or scripture? You can be that someone who shares God’s word, God’s love and God’s healing spirit with them with words of comfort and having a positive spirit! You will find that, when you share God’s love, you yourself will be energized and feel blessed just for being used by God to build and uplift his kingdom! Philemon verse 7, NIV says, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints!”
CLOSING PRAYER:
“For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” Psalm 39: 13-14, NIV. Lord, let us share the joy we have in Christ with others who need your hand in their lives. ”For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
WORSHIP: