March 2009

A GATHERING PLACE TO HELP US KEEP PACE!

     
    One of the neat things about living in Wilmot, Wisconsin for nine years was my daily walk to the post office.  It didn't do much on a cardio-vascular level since it was but two short blocks from the PEACE church office; what made it enjoyable was meeting and greeting folks every day.  Meeting around the PO boxes; walking down the street (NO stoplights!); or chatting up the fellows gathered by the wood stove at our WILMOT SERVICE STATION. Catching up with folks, sharing newsy tidbits or just venting about this n' that.  

     Our church is a gathering place to do much the same.  Again, it may not do much for our physical prowess, but it sure does wonders for our spiritual health.  Here at church we meet and greet fellow Christians as together we sing and celebrate our Savior.  Here at church we listen as God speaks to us and talk to Him through our prayers and praises.  Here at church we vent our own sinfulness through confession in the liturgy and receive the absolution of those sins in and through Jesus' precious blood. Here at church we join together to worship the Lord of hosts for His ever-present, on-going love in our lives.  

     Some days I missed the latest this or that when I didn't meet any fellow Wilmotonians heading to-or-from the post office, when no one but our Postmaster Eunice was in that day.  Or when none of the fellows like Clyde or Joe or Al or Dave were gathered around at WILMOT SERVICE. So I'd miss out on the convivial fellowship that is such a vibrant part of small-town America.  

     The same happens when we stay away from gathering with our fellow Christians and keep ourselves away from God's power and presence through public worship, the Means of Grace and various opportunities to raise our voices (and spirits) in praise to Jesus.  The same happens when we allow too much of the world to come between us and the Word; when too much stuff gets in the way and prevents us from gathering together with our church family.  

     It was the Psalmist David who said in words we know by heart, I rejoiced with those who said to me; Let us go to the House of the Lord! [Ps 122:1].  He rejoiced ~ because he knew he was obeying God's will.  He rejoiced ~ because he was gathering with fellow believers. He rejoiced ~ because he would be in the presence of God.  

     My dear friends and fellow Christians, we have the same reason (an many more ~ the list is endless) to rejoice for the opportunities God gives us to gather together.  During this LENTEN season of personal mediation and preparation, let us gather as frequently and faithfully as we can.  Not to be seen by one another, but to see and celebrate what Jesus is doing in our lives !

                See YOU in Church!

                                                        Pastor George P. Swanson