Monday, November 10, 2008

Church

Sunday is my favorite day of the week because it is church day. I love going to church for all sorts of reasons. I'll talk about yesterday to see if I can explain.
I slipped into a pew next to my daughter and looked around the room and smiled. People I love are everywhere I look. I feel a sense of community and belonging. In the four years since we came here this group of believers has become family. I feel like I am part of a lovely family reunion where all the generations come together to celebrate that we are family. It is a warm, safe feeling. Then the music began and we sang,

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

The music and words began to fill me and seemed to thin out the space between God and me. God felt near. We prayed together. I love to hear the voices of this family when we pray. I think God smiles at our worship.
Yesterday two children were baptized. It was awesome to see this young family dedicate themselves to teaching their children to learning about a loving God and then to hear the congregation promise to help to show these little ones that God is love. It was a moment of sweetness.

After worship service we all met again in the fellowship room. Coffee is an important part of becoming a family. We talk and share life with one another. Yesterday we had something extra, The Christmas Gift Market. This was a chance to see some of the different mission activities people in the church support. Instead of buying trinkets to give as Christmas gifts we are honoring others with a gift to a worthwhile charity. There were all sorts of opportunities to help others in need. I went shopping for all of you, my blog friends. I will wrap up something for each of you to put under our blogland Christmas tree.

I am a Christian. Church helps me to worship the Almighty. I feel blessed.

5 comments:

Sling said...

That's just what I wanted!
..Thanks mom.May God bless you. :)

Middle Child said...

I understand that feeling. I haven't been a church goer since I was about 16...but am aware of God in my own way, being a bit of a loner by preference... when i walkup the gravel driveway and look accross the passock first thing in the early hours...God is there and I feel healed from the night.

Linda said...

I so miss that feeling. I wonder if starting fresh at a new church makes it easier... letting go of all the baggage that you accumulate when you attend church and get involved in all the endless activities. I am trying hard to start anew without switching churches... trying to get back to why I started attending church in the first place which is very close to what you describe. I feel it...but mostly on Tuesdays & Thursday nights at yoga. Would be nice to feel it on Sundays too, sometimes I think I just know too much. Of course, doing the "fun stuff" helps. Peace to you my friend. I love you. I feel blessed that you feel blessed.

Queenie said...

Your so kind, and its jut what i always wanted.
Mom I loved the bit were you said you looked around and all your friends were there, no better feeling in the world.

just me said...

I wish I could say that people in our congregation feel that way, but sometimes I wonder. Plus in my position it's hard to be objective.

I hope to see you at the interfaith Thanksgiving service - it's at our place this year!