We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer. – Hebrews 10:24-25

7:00 in the morning, November 15. Here in Wake Forest it’s a beautiful, fairly clear, 50-ish degrees. Some of the trees still have their color, but autumn is slipping inexorably into winter.

Covid or not; rain or shine; winter, spring, summer, or fall; limited number, “in-person,” or live-stream on the web – I plan on going to church. Why? Because nothing has changed when it comes to the reason we were created and the power of the spiritual life that holds us together.

Christians worship together:

If our claim to be “Christian” means anything at all, then Jesus calls us to be together at a time like this – with even more urgency and clarity.

Fact is, Christianity is best experienced as a team sport. Like one of the guiding principles in quantum physics, we are entangled with Jesus, and we are entangled with one another too.

My men’s groups – Wednesday evening and Saturday morning – voice a line in our covenant that goes like this: “I will attend a worship service every weekend.” I would argue that logging on at 10:00 Sunday morning is absolutely possible in almost any circumstance! And if for some reason 10:00 won’t work, then there is nothing to stop us tuning in before the day is done!

It helps – of course – that we have unusually good AV tech support, that our worship leadership – preaching, music, and liturgy – is cutting edge, and that the “WFPC Experience” remains as engaging and vibrant as ever.

But none of that matters so long as people simply make the decision to be faithful to the calling of God, attentive to the leading of the Spirit, and open to the invitation of Jesus.

“Showing up” means that we are: faithful to the calling of God, attentive to the leading of the Spirit, and open to the invitation of Jesus…

Worship is foundational to the Christian experience, and without it we absolutely will founder.

So here is my invitation. Won’t you join me? This week Rebekah will be preaching on – you’ve guessed it – What it means to be in “intentional community” as a church.

– DEREK

Just a few random images representing the power of community: