Worship was an important part of first century Christianity. The Lord's Day (Sunday) was a special time of remembrance and celebration. Christians came together to partake of the Lord's Supper as a memorial to the broken body and shed blood of Christ the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Acts 20:7). They worshipped a living Lord, not a dead Savior. Jesus had resurrected, and there was cause for celebration. In the words of Luke, historian of the early church: "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).
Not everyone understood the importance of their weekly gatherings or the benefits to be derived from them. The writer of the Hebrews epistle urged his readers to be faithful in this matter. He admonished: "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:22-25).
I frequently talk to people who express a strong distaste for "going to church." They claim to be as religious as the next guy, but have little use for boring religious services. Personal experience, as well as Scripture, has taught me that worship is neither boring nor useless. I have never left a service without gaining something of benefit. We need the fellowship, encouragement, and instruction that the worship setting provides. It is a grave mistake to forsake the assembly of the saints.
Don’t be mislead by those who suggest that worship is unimportant or unnecessary. The Bible offers a much different view of worship and its importance. If you come to the assembly with an earnest desire to worship and learn, you will not leave disappointed. The Lord knew what He was doing when He summoned His church to faithful worship, and we need to hear Him.
--Roger
SICK
Bob Sagle is in rehab at Marietta Memorial.
Helen Nolan had hip surgery Friday at Memorial.
Mary Wharton is at home following a fall.
Sara Cook will have surgery Wednesday in Columbus.
PRAYER LIST
Please remember Bill Aleshire, Twoie Armor, Phillipa Campbell, Jane Crandall, Ann Duvall, Jane Dusz, Hannah Giffen, Ashley Hunter, Ruth Lutz, Janie Moore, John Richardson, Violet Ring, Bill Scholl, Amy Shick, John Spence, Grace Stacy, Wilbur Wade, and Ruth Winland.
THANK YOU
Posted on the bulletin board are thank you notes from Glenna Sagle, Frank and Louise Vaught, and Norm Wolfe.
SYMPATHY
Our sympathy to Grayce Smith in the death of her niece, Ronda Roberts. Ronda passed away July 18 in Mount Perry, OH.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Jack and Mary Lauck on the birth of their great-grandson, Cormac Benjamin Fedorko, born July 17 weighing eight pound three ounces. Proud parents are Evan and Rebecca Fedorko.
SINGING
This Wednesday, July 30, we will be singing for the evening service. Our guest song leader will be Rodney Bettinger.
THREE THINGS
Three things in life that, once gone, never come back:
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity
Three things in life that can destroy a person:
1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness
Three things in life that you should never lose:
1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty
Three things in life that are most valuable:
1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness
Three things in life that are never certain:
1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams
Three things that make a person:
1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work
Three things that are truly constant:
1. Father
2. Son
3. Holy Spirit
RAMBLINGS
--by Roger
This Wednesday evening will be our annual summer sing. Each year during our Summer Series we have a month with five Wednesdays, and on the fifth Wednesday we invite a guest song leader to come and lead our singing. This year Rodney Bettinger will be back with us. Rodney has been here several times, and always does an excellent job.
This coming weekend is our annual father-son campout at Wolf Run State Park. The signup sheet remains on the bulletin board in the foyer. If you still have questions, please see Craig Woods.
Our annual congregational picnic will be a week from Saturday (August 9) at the park in Devola. We usually eat around 5:30. If you plan to play softball, that generally starts a little earlier. I’m not sure what else is planned for the evening, but I’m sure there will be activities for all ages.
Randy will be back at work tomorrow, and will be preaching next Sunday evening. As I mentioned last week, among other things, he and his family were in Nashville for Josh’s orientation at LipscombUniversity. Summer will soon be over and our young people will be headed off to college. As always, we hate to see them leave. The good news is that our MariettaCollegestudents will be back with us, and we are always excited to see them return.
The Harmar Hill congregation is hosting the Ohio Valley Lectureship August 17-21. A schedule is posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. I want to encourage you to attend as many of the lectures as your schedule will permit. Please note it on your calendar and set aside time to attend.
