I worshipped at my church today. The first time in nearly 3 months. It was a bit odd to sit in the pews and not be in the pulpit. But it felt good to be surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ who warmly embraced me.
It was especially good to hear the Word brought to life in songs, litanies, readings, and (of course) the sermon. The focus text was Exodus 33:12-17, the story of Moses and the LORD on Mt. Sinai.
12 Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
17 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
This is God’s promise to us, to all who have been adopted in Christ into God’s family. We are distinguished not because of any greatness within us, but by the very Presence of the Lord among us.
The service also included a baptism. A teenage boy who has just started coming to church with his dad this year. He has a very quiet spirit yet seems eager to grow in faith.
Being the first Sunday of the month, we shared communion. My head and heart were heavy, reflecting on my sins for which Christ died.
One of the hymns we sung struck me as a sort of prayer I would carry throughout the week. It’s called “Living for Jesus a Life That is True“. The refrain goes like this -
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, My heart shall by Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
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more reflections on church…
Congratulations … that can be a very big step. I’m glad that it went well, too. Blessings, Pistol!
Sounds very positive.
It’s a blessing to be able to return to Church. I’ve been seriously sick twice in my life. Once I was unable to go to Church for 5 months as I was bedridden. The other time I was unable to go for 2 months.
Each time I felt a special blessing in being able to return and having people who welcomed me.
I hope through your illness there’s blessings interspersed with the trials. God willing you will return to the pulpit fully restored and renewed.
good news Pete. welcome home
Are you senior pastor? What an amazing congregation to extend such grace and comfort to you, to flex with your needs.
The Pistol fires back: Yes, I am the senior, one and only pastor. And yes, my congregation has been amazingly supportive.