Gathering for Worship This Summer

Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Hebrews 10:25

As summer approaches and you’re looking forward to plans you’ve made, vacations, and, in general, summer fun, please remember to continue gathering for worship each week. As Christians, we gather every week to worship our God.

The book, The Acts of the Apostles, tells a story about Paul on his second missionary journey. Paul was in modern-day Turkey. He and his companions had been trying to go here and there, but the Spirit kept holding them back. Then one night Paul had a dream or a vision. He saw a man from Greece pleading, “Come over here and help us.” Right away they concluded that God was calling them to a new part of the world (the West!) to share the story of Jesus.

So right away Paul, Silas, Timothy, and maybe even Luke left for the coast of Turkey and boarded a boat and left the Middle East for the very first time in their lives. They sailed straight across the Aegean Sea and landed at Neapolis, the nearest Greek seaport. From there, just a few miles away, they reached Philippi, a major Greek city and a Roman colony. They remained in the city for several days. On the sabbath day, they went outside the city gate by the river where they supposed there was a place of prayer, a gathering for worship (Acts 16:6-13).

Now I know this was a mission trip but, seriously, what a great vacation! Paul and his companions went to Greece. They were right near the Mediterranean Sea. It was the first time they were there. It must have been wonderful. And when the day of worship arrived, they looked for a gathering of worshipers so they could join with them.

That’s a good example for us. Please remember to worship wherever you are. Of course, if you’re home, gather with us at Salem! But I want to especially encourage you to include Sunday worship in your travel and vacation plans. Anywhere you go, most likely, there will be Christians gathering for worship. Like Paul and his companions, you might have to look a little, but it will be worth it. Gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ in other communities and settings while on vacation can be an opportunity to discover the rich beauty and diversity that exists within The United Methodist Church and throughout Christianity overall.

It was Jesus’ custom to worship every week, too. Once, Jesus told a parable about a farmer sowing seed. Some of the seed fell on the path, some fell on rock, some fell among thorns, and some fell into good soil. When Jesus explained the parable he said, “As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear [the word of God]; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature” (Luke 8:14).

If you are intent on becoming like Jesus (that is a disciple’s intention), then you rearrange your life, your schedule so nothing gets in the way. Time away, fun experiences, vacations can be and should be wonderful. But don’t let the cares and riches and pleasures of life choke your desire to be like Jesus. For some of us, it’s amazing and sad how quickly not meeting together can become a habit.

I myself will be gone for Annual Conference and then for a couple of Sundays of vacation. Like Paul and his companion, however, my family and I will be at worship with brothers and sisters wherever we are.