This morning I was looking for a Scripture passage I could only partially remember, so I went to BibleGateway and typed in “gathered together.” There were 148 results.
There’s an awful lot of gathering together in the Bible, which explains why we miss it so much when we can’t do it. Gathering together is not just an important way we communicate with each other—it’s an important way we communicate with God.
Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
We’re hoping to return to church soon, but we’re still erring on the side of caution. And while I’m spending Sundays at home, I’m thinking back on a million moments of churchgoing, missing even the things that used to aggravate me. I thought my memories might spark some of yours:
That time we held a two-hour business meeting to discuss how to change the bulletin, eventually voting to leave it as is.
A church cleaning day when my cousin Kathy and I decided to dump Tide into the baptistry and give it a good scrubbing, but then we couldn’t get the suds out. For months, we held our breath in fear of bubbles at every baptism.
The way my Aunt Rosalie used to corner us at the entrance to the fellowship hall to make sure we knew where her apple dessert was. Also, her mischievous sense of humor and the way she and my cousin Richard used to tease each other.
Vacation Bible School cookies and Kool-Aid.
The “lis-ten, sit, down” and “lis-ten, stand, up” chords that were always part of the Bible School music I had to learn to play every year.
The peaceful way an older gentleman in our church used to close all his prayers with “and when we reach the end of life’s journey . . .”
My Great Uncle Clyde’s practice of giving the Lord specific direction when he prayed for the sick: “We ask that you bless Sister Green, room 304 Brookwood Medical Center . . .”
My maternal grandmother’s justification for sketchy church attendance: “I am not a Baptist. I’m a member of the Christian Church.” Also the way she would rummage through her purse all during the sermon, which would send my Aunt Joyce absolutely into orbit.
Kids in homemade angel costumes at Christmas.
Christmas cantata music all marked up: Hold 4 counts. Sally sings here. Don’t rush this part . . .
Responsive reading. (Boldface, lightface, boldface, lightface)
Seventies youth choir. (“I Wish We’d All Been Ready,” “Pass It On,” “Part the Waters”)
Ice cream suppers.
Right hand of Christian fellowship.
“Blest Be the Tie”
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