Sancuary

pews_stainedglassLiving in the Spirit
August 19, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise. –Psalm 84:1-4

In all honesty, I have never been far from a home church or a church I made my home. I cannot even imagine life without that space or even just a community of faith. I have chosen to be a part of a denomination that serves communion every Sunday and there have been times in my life when I attended churches that did not. It was interesting the first couple of Sundays I noticed the service was different, but beyond that I really missed the service of the Lord’s Supper and was pleased to return to its presence in my life.

It is interesting watching children grow into young men and woman in the church. It does not take them long to identify the church and its people as theirs. They grow comfortable when dealing with a pesky candle on the communion table that just won’t light and they soon know all the tricks to make it work or when to reverently walk away. They notice when an elderly friend is missing. They quickly understand the sanctuary is a special place, not for loud talking or running. They intuitively offer to help, learning the needs of others while being able to reach out for help themselves when needed.

My favorite hymn is probably, Near to the Heart of God. Whether in a house church, by a lake side, or in a large cathedral being in the presence of other followers of Christ draws each of us nearer to the heart of God.

Prayer: O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.* Amen.

*Chorus to Near to the Heart of God Cleland B. McAfee see at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/e/neartoth.htm
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.