You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life. – Psalm 23:5-6

It’s been a while since I posted an entry from the “Rebekah and Derek Go to Church” files. But Sunday morning we visited a “new to us” congregation in Tarboro and it was a sweet experience of worship together.

We were there because a couple of the women attend Rebekah’s Wednesday Bible study, and they asked her to fill the pulpit this week.

Cobb Memorial Presbyterian Church is just 1.6 miles from ours (Howard Memorial). In today’s world it would seem too close, but when Cobb was first organized it was impractical for the mill workers who lived there to travel into Tarboro’s center for worship.

This small congregation enjoys a long history as an active church, and it is always good to be in worship with people who are committed to celebrating God’s message of reconciling love.

Rebekah shared a sermon encouraging us to grasp what was (what is) at stake as Jesus pivots his ministry and his journey toward Jerusalem and the cross. I played a guitar prelude at the beginning of worship and then shared “Give me Jesus” for special music.

It doesn’t matter if we are with a congregation of 19 (this weekend) or 400-plus like Sundays at Brandon and Wake Forest. What counts is the Good News. And so long as we have life and breath and the ability to make it to church Rebekah and I will be there, singing praise to God and offering encouragement to believers and seekers alike.

If you are someone who has backed away from church attendance, I believe this is a good moment to rethink your decision. Participation in a worshipping community is the single best activity any of us can commit to when it comes to improving our life in just about every area.

This is how we were designed by the Creator. This is what we are invited into by Jesus. This is where we are recharged in the Spirit.

Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
(Richard Blanchard, 1959)