Summer worship is 'in person'

With so many activities happening in the summer, a gradual move back to “normal,” and people going out again to do the things that they have been unable to do for almost two years, worship may once again take a back seat.
Summer is upon us, and with the full swing into a summer season, I’d like to share a few words about summer worship.
When I was in junior high school, I couldn’t wait until summer! It seemed that every single weekend brought new adventures and other things to do. Unfortunately, they were things that directly interfered with a very important joy that I had grown up with – going to church on Sunday morning.
It was summer, and for whatever the reasons, church started to feel less important than being with my friends or going to the lake. I know it hurt my parents, but of course I was the one who knew everything! Sadly, there is no age limit to this change of attitude. It took a new pastor who came to our church to again show me how important church was – even for a ninth-grader.  My next three years in high school were nothing short of magical because everything revolved around worship!
In his meaning to the Third Commandment, Martin Luther wrote, “We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect God’s word or the preaching of it. But regard it as holy, and gladly hear and learn it. This is most certainly true!”
We forget sometimes that one of the most important things that we can do not only for ourselves, but also for our children, is to take them to God’s house often. God reminded us when He gave us the Ten Commandments the importance of hearing and not neglecting His word. You have no idea of the many benefits we receive when we worship together. These can be life changing – but only if we are present.
In his book, “Life Together,” (A Discussion of Christian Fellowship) martyred German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about that special feeling that can only happen when Christians come together.
“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.  The believer feels no shame, as though he were still living too much in the flesh, when he yearns for the presence of other Christians,” he wrote.  (“Life Together” pg. 19)
I know there are many other things to do – especially this summer, but I also know that God wants to see you in church!