The Gathering

Our church, individuals who meet regularly to serve, worship and praise God, met last night to eat the annual Thanksgiving meal. We also came to express our thanks to our sovereign God for his mercies and his grace to us.

Person after person stood and shared what God did in their lives this past year. They mentioned how God used others in the  body to minister to them. Those who had been sick, thankful for healing. Those who had lost a spouse, a parent or dear friend spoke of God’s abiding presence and his comfort through the presence of church friends. A woman who had spent 7 years in prison and had recently gotten out was grateful for our prison ministry who supported her and helped her get on her feet. She was grateful for the help that was given her by the church to get her daughter's back. Those who had served on short term mission trips all over the world thanked God for supporting them with donations given by members of the church and the powerful prayer ministry which lifted them up to God.

I thanked God and the church body for loving and accepting Sherri and me these past 8 months that we have been members. We have made many friends and are serving in several ways. The key to meeting people and enjoying the church where you attend is serving. Churches must give everyone an opportunity to serve and work within the body for God’s glory. Getting involved by showing the love of Jesus within the body of Christ is vital to a healthy church experience. I don’t get to preach any more, but that’s fine. As long as Sherri and I can serve the way we are now we will continue to  be blessed and satisfied.

The picture is just part of the long line of hungry church members waiting to get to the bountiful grub that had been prepared by the body. We were standing in what is called “The Gathering Place”. Every believer should gather with other believers on a regular basis and never let anybody or anything prevent them from doing so.