Original Broadcast: Easter 2009
Monthly Theme: Third Article Gifts
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
The one holy Christian and apostolic Church, called the communion of saints in the Creed, is the congregating of Christians together for mutual edification and encouragement. We are encouraged to gather together habitually--not for ourselves, but for each other.
We don't go to church so that we can get something out of it. We go to church so that we can give to others. There's no definite way or form to do that. It can be something that we don't even expect. Sometimes it might just be our presence that brightens someone else's day. It might be saying, "Good morning," to someone we aren't in the habit of speaking to regularly. It can be as simple and profound as the saying together of the liturgy, bringing God's promises to the minds of everyone gathered in the sanctuary. That's where the community aspect of the Church comes into play. How we can encourage and build each other up. That's why we come to church. That's why, for centuries, the church was the center of community life around the world. That's what we need to work to reachieve. Amen.
