He then took the girl by the hand, and she got up. A ll of this Jesus did in order that the people might wake up and smell the coffee. Dear congregation, the Church of Christ has been commissioned to announce the good news of Jesus Christ. That means that we are compelled to be hospitable when we assemble for worship. Worship is not a private experience.
Worship is corporate.
That means that we assemble to worship God who is with us and in the awareness that we are together. The dignity of worship does not prevent us from helping persons who are lost in the liturgy. W e have been entrusted with the treasure of the Holy Gospel which is a message for all nations and all kinds of people. It is my hope that we will grow in awareness that the assignment given to us by God will not allow us to be smug or to be so private that we cannot take time to acknowledge the presence among us of many who have come to this house of worship to hear the good news. T hink for a minute.