A driving force behind the decision to move to a new schedule was a process of thinking through the question:<\/p>\n
“What is the purpose of our weekly gathering?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The leadership of Christ Community emerged from reflecting on the Scriptures to say that worshiping God in community is central to what we do each week—AND central to what every Christian needs each week.\u00a0 To gather with God’s people to offer Him praises and hear His word.<\/p>\n
Let me encourage you to pray about two practical goals:
\n1.) I will orient my life around a weekly service of worship with God’s people.
\n2.) I will take the necessary steps to be in the sanctuary prior to the start of the service, whether at 9am or 10:30am.<\/p>\nI firmly believe that these radical and simple commitments could bear all sorts of fruit in us, individually and corporately.<\/p>\n
Psalm 84 gives a wonderful picture of the great benefits of a life centered on gathering to worship God corporately.\u00a0 We need to bring him our praises and our pain, our hopes and our hurts.\u00a0 For in His presence we are ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven.\u00a0 We move from strength to strength.<\/p>\n
How lovely is your dwelling place,
\nO LORD of hosts!
\nMy soul longs, yes, faints
\nfor the courts of the LORD;
\nmy heart and flesh sing for joy
\nto the living God.
\nEven the sparrow finds a home,
\nand the swallow a nest for herself,
\nwhere she may lay her young,
\nat your altars, O LORD of hosts,
\nmy King and my God.
\nBlessed are those who dwell in your house,
\never singing your praise! Selah
\nBlessed are those whose strength is in you,
\nin whose heart are the highways to Zion.
\nAs they go through the Valley of Baca
\nthey make it a place of springs;
\nthe early rain also covers it with pools.
\nThey go from strength to strength;
\neach one appears before God in Zion.
\nO LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
\ngive ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
\nBehold our shield, O God;
\nlook on the face of your anointed!
\nFor a day in your courts is better
\nthan a thousand elsewhere.
\nI would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
\nthan dwell in the tents of wickedness.
\nFor the LORD God is a sun and shield;
\nthe LORD bestows favor and honor.
\nNo good thing does he withhold
\nfrom those who walk uprightly.
\nO LORD of hosts,
\nblessed is the one who trusts in you!
\n(Psalm 84 ESV)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n