Why should we come to church?

Why is it that we come to church? Do we come out of habit? Do we come because we think we should? Do we come to hear the music, to sing, to pray, to ask for forgiveness and be absolved for our sins? There are many reasons why people come to church and many reasons why people don’t bother. It simply isn’t a priority in their lives.

Why do I think people should come to church? Why do I urge you to be here? For me worship is not simply to pray or confess. I believe that worship is a time, a time set apart to simply be in the presence of God. A time when we can open ourselves up fully to experience God’s overwhelming love and compassion. To be reminded that God dwells in us and we in God. As we listen to the readings and hear the story of God’s presence in the world, God’s role in creation and loving God’s people, and as we gather around God’s table and are nurtured and fed by the food that only God can give to us, food that puts us into full communion with God, with each other, with all those throughout the world who share this meal with us, and with all those throughout history that have come before us.

Church is important because it is probably the only time each week when we can simply "be."

 Church is a time when we stop rushing around, get off our computers, sit in the office, watch TV, exercise, shop, work in the yard, drive from one place to another, study or do another one of the myriad things that we all have to do. There is so little time in our lives when we can just be quiet and rest in the presence of God. It is the only time when we can focus totally on God’s presence, let go of all the worries and cares of our lives and be reminded that God dwells within us and that we are surrounded by the loving arms of the God who cherishes us.

Without church we lose contact with our Lord. Without church, life can seem to have no meaning, but instead is just a series of struggles to pay the bills, succeed in business, gather possessions and play with some of our "toys".  Without God as our center we are alone, we have to try to control our lives, seek to fill our empty places through activities, friends, money, and trust ourselves to see us through all the struggles of everyday life. Without church we are not reminded that God is the one "within whom we have our being" and that we are not fed and nourished with the food that gives us strength for our journeys and guidance for all that we say and do.

Church should never be just another chore or obligation to meet. Church should be the place where we can rest, can truly be ourselves and know that we are important member of the Kingdom of God in this earth.