Yesterday I went to church. While on vacation I chose to attend a service instead of conduct one. I went to church with my wife. I like that a lot because it gives me a chance to publicly express my faith seated next to my soul mate. For some that may not be a big deal, because you do it quite regularly, but let me assure you that for this writer it is, and I really appreciated hearing her voice in confession and song, and to feel her next to me as we worship.
The service was heightened even more because we were able to go with some of our dear friends. We don't see them very much, so to be able to be with them in public worship and to share our friendship and common bond of faith is a really important thing.
What was outstanding for us was the number of things that were going on in that congregation. They had just dedicated a new church building, a modest metal building that is really tastefully and beautifully arranged for the activitiess of thriving congregation. In addition to the new sanctuary, however, there we several indicators from what was said by the pastor, and written in the service folder that this congregation was dedicated to living and showing their faith by deeds of kindness and generosity.
They had just finished a fund raising project for the family that had suffered the loss of their home through fire. They were gathering food items for the local food shelf, and as if that we not enough they had a "noisy" offering for sending money to a foreign mission so that the missioners could by food for the starving children in their area.
As we were seated in a post service fellowship snack time there were several little groups making plans to get together. One group for quilting, another to help with visits to the local nursing home, and still another to do some painting in the church.
I was reminded as I sat there of the words in the book of James 2: "What good does it do, my fellow Christians, if you say you have faith but do not have any works? Can such a faith saveYou? If a Christian man or woman is going without clothes or daily food and one of you tells them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat heartily," bot does not give them what the body needs, what good does it do? So,faith, if it is not accompanied by works, is dead for that very reason."
I was really impressed how the folks I shared the word with that day, gave me an example of living their faith. To myself I must say: "Go and do likewise." How about you?
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