I have always enjoyed Wednesday evenings at church, and over the years my experiences have run the gamut, ranging from large dinners with a “program,” to mid-week worship followed by a reception, to my men’s small group plus a cup of coffee.

(A “gamut” – in case you were wondering – is a musical scale containing all the recognized notes used in medieval music.)

WFPC: Here at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church the mid-week dinner concept has been revived, accompanied by much enthusiasm and success. The “food line” is open from 5:30-6:30, and during that time close to 200 people have been coming through, as families or individuals, breaking bread around the tables before heading off to the myriad of available activities.

Around 6:00 Rebekah shares some announcements, and the blessing is offered by one of the younger elementary-aged children.

There’s something special about the community coming together from all over, gathering at table in the CLC (Christian Life Center), sitting with different people each week, and eating a relaxed meal in an atmosphere of love and encouragement, before going on to children’s activities, choir, Bible study, support groups, ministry meetings, or simply heading home.

REFRESHMENT: When Rebekah and I leave, around 8:00, we feel refreshed and renewed, privileged to be a part of such a vibrant community of faith.

Wednesday evenings put flesh and form to the scripture from Isaiah I read this morning in my Upper Room devotional guide: “You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.”

That’s God, by the way, talking about you, and about me. “You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.”

“You are precious in my sight…”

“You are honored…”

“And I love you.”

Right now God is specifically loving the Mauls via the people of WFPC. Rebekah and I feel loved, we feel honored, and we have a deep sense of how precious we are in God’s eyes, and it’s because of the way The Body of Christ in this place loves, honors, and values.

LOVE HONOR VALUE: So my word for today is that our opportunity – as Followers of the Living Way of Jesus – is to extend such hope and such promise to this broken world.

God is an equal opportunity lover; God honors without prejudice; and – because of Jesus – God’s good word for this world goes out without equivocation:

“You are precious in my sight; you are honored; and I love you.”