West Main

PIE SALE

Does Church Attendance Mean Anything? (Part Two)

Our English word attendance comes to us from the 14^th century French, atendance, meaning "attention, wait, hope, expectation," from atendant, of atendre, meaning "action of waiting on someone." The notion of attending in the sense of presenting oneself with the intent of taking a part developed in the 1560’s. The idea of attendee, “someone “who attends something” comes to us from the 1960’s (source: dictionary.com).

 The above dictionary definitions of attendance are helpful in our continuing look at church attendance. Additionally helpful, is a key verse noted in the last bulletin article which says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:25). Together, the combination of our English understanding of attendance and the Hebrew passage influence what many of us think about church attendance.

 For starters, some simply participate in church as someone “who attends something” in the sense that they merely show up. Pejoratively, we might call such an individual a “pew-warmer” or “pew-packer.” An “attendee” often is just checking off the “box of attendance.” Sadly, many attend church and sit in the pews like flowers in a vase waiting to be attended to rather than attending to others. Hebrews tells us to “encourage one another” when we gather. Even those physically confined can encourage us with their presence and prayers.

The “action of waiting on someone” corresponds well with the previous verse in Hebrews, which says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Furthermore, we all have gifts by the Lord by which He expects and holds us accountable to use for His glory to the benefit of all (Eph 4; 1 Cor 12). We cannot spur what we do not see and cannot touch, and therefore we must not “give up meeting together.” The Greek word for  “give up” used in Hebrews has the idea of “normally referring to a small part of a larger whole - 'to cause to remain, to leave to exist, to leave’” (source: Louw-Nida Lexicon). What a potent image is, “to leave to exist.” A sobering and sad thought is how many in the local congregation are willing to leave the “smaller part” of those who attend church to exist on their own. All have gifts, all are necessary, and all must attend to others.

Thirdly, attendance as “wait, hope,” and “expectation” is clearly seen in the Hebrew writer’s admonition to attend to one another as we “see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:25). The Day we see approaching is the Day of the Lord, the second coming of Christ. Therefore, one gauge of a congregation’s and an individual’s belief, hope, and expectation in seeing Christ’s return, is church attendance to church-related activities.

So in conclusion (to part 2), to answer the question, “Does church attendance mean anything?”; we might be better off asking the question, “Does Jesus coming again mean anything to you?”

                                                                                       – Terry

2010 Women’s Retreat

October 15-17

Little River Christian Camp

Dear Ladies: This Sunday, the 10^th, is the Women’s Retreat sign-up deadline.  Please consider coming and let me know if you have any questions.  Also, I have to pay for food after this date, so cancellations cannot be refunded in full.  Don’t forget to bring your bedding and your sharing!  I’m looking forward to being with you there! Jessie Pannell.  It’s only 1 week away!

Come Celebrate the Harvest

Hey ya’ll!  Ready to put on your overalls and straw-hats and listen to the down-home good time sounds of the Old Time Fiddlers?  Don’t forget to bring your favorite autumn potluck dish and wear something that’ll make you feel like ropin’ the nearest cow.    Kids, bring a carved pumpkin. There’ll be a candy giveaway.  Cost is $5.00 per couple; kids free.

Date:   Saturday, October 23

Place: At the home of John and Charlotte Winters

Time: 4:30-9:30 p.m.

***P.S.   Please bring 1-2 cans of food for the food drive to get an early start on the Christmas Baskets.  Trade your cans in for some goodies .... Yeaaaa!!!

Prayer Requests . . .

EvaLoy Knight as she recovers from lung surgery at RVMC - good news, no other cancer was found in her lymph nodes ... Lillian Casebier as she recovers from knee surgery ... Ernie Strawn is back in Providence Hospital.  They will need to reposition his pacemaker ... Evelyn Bates for her recovery from bronchitis ... For Cayden, one of our children at preschool, fell and fractured his skull, he is doing okay, but has a long recovery ahead of him ... Zana and Samara Walker request prayers for their friend, Linda, who has kidney cancer ... Ed Way for recovery from cataract surgery on Tuesday ...  The Pannell’s request prayers for the Tony Griffies family on the loss of his wife - they have two-year old twin girls; they also request prayers for their friend in Memphis, a young mother named Dusharme, who has breast and ovarian cancer ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

 Harvest Craft Fair

Calling all crafters –now is the time to get all of your craft creations together and ready to sell.  We will be holding a Craft Fair at West Main on November 19 & 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Booths will be available to rent.  Call a friend and share a booth if you don’t have enough items to sell.  Call Debra Burchett  for booth space or more info.

****This will be an ideal time to get in some holiday shopping for all of your gifts.   We will have a variety of items for sale from all of our crafters.

Anniversary Sunday and Potluck Luncheon is scheduled for November 14. Invite your friends to come.

Roof Fund  – The Elders have asked us to prayerfully consider how we can donate towards our roof fund.  We are close to meeting our goal thanks to your generosity!

Trunk N Treat is coming up on Sunday, October 31, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. See Stephen or Diane Liles for more information and to sign up.