Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14
Sunday started as one of those cold, wet mornings that tend to remind me of England at its most wintery. It was damp and windy, with temperatures beginning at a “high” in the forties then dropping steadily as the day went on, reaching freezing – and well beyond – by the early evening.
We also had one of those beautiful worship experiences where people made their way to church regardless of “40-degrees and rain” because this is the third week of Advent and the choir was scheduled to lead worship via their Christmas Cantata.
Rebekah is really enjoying this opportunity to sit in the choir-loft and simply sing her heart out. The choir did a great job and told the Christmas story eloquently in the language of music.
Over the years, we both appreciated the larger congregations where she served – with three, four, sometimes five-hundred people in church every Sunday. But there is something deeply personal about the intimacy of a smaller congregation that feels just right at this time of our lives.
The most important thing, I believe, is to love one-another and to serve God exactly where we are, with the people around us and in the community where we live.
Jesus was crystal clear about what he wanted to see in a faith community: “People will understand that you are my followers when they see the way that you love one-another,” he said (John 13:35).
Love of the first order is far more compelling than celebrity pastors, mall-like church campuses or a professional quality band with dry-ice “smoke” on the stage when they are “performing.” And care for neighbor is head and shoulders more important than a cappuccino bar, trending TikToks and a huge following on social media.
Today Rebekah and I are part of a traditional church family that’s been at the heart of the Tarboro community for more than 151 years. This witness to authentic love is exactly what the world needs. Won’t you take a little pause, listen to the Spirit, remember what community means and come on home?
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. – Hebrews 13:15
This world needs the Good News today, more than ever before – DEREK