West Main

It Takes a Congregation to Worship

I would like to take some liberty with the old cliché, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and say after last Sunday’s worship, “It takes a congregation to worship.” In other words, for an individual child to fully mature, he or she must learn to socialize with others and receive the collective blessing of wisdom and knowledge from the multiple personalities and talents of a community. We are not completely ourselves if we are not connected to others. God did not design humanity to be solitary individuals working and growing alone, isolated and separated from the whole of society.

In a similar fashion to a village raising a child, so we are not fully worshiping unless we are worshiping together as a body of the Lord’s people. We were never designed to be stand-alone worshipers. The apostle Paul famously says, “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” (1 Cor 14:26). There is no doubt that last Easter Sunday we were as a congregation built up by a multitude of spiritually gifted individuals. You may have noticed that the previous Sunday over some thirty individuals led our worship service!

Among those leading us in worship were several of our young children. What a joy to hear such youthful voices as young as five recite God’s holy Word. There is something powerful and moving when hearing the cry of Jesus, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” being spoken on the lips of a child. Or to hear a young person speak Aramaic better than many of us can speak English is additionally humbling and inspiring. Additionally moving was hearing Scripture recited from memory. Scripture recited from memory tends to come across more lively and poignantly as if we were being spoken to more than simply read to from God’s Word.

We also heard words preached from not one, but two preachers. Brian Pannell took a few scraps of an idea and wove a beautiful sermon that was as inspiring as it was convicting. Interspersed between our readings and preaching were beautifully selected and sung songs of praise. I confess freely that when the women lead the main verses of the song being sung with the men echoing, I like to close my eyes and think I am hearing the voices of angels. If all the previous were not enough, then surely listening to our children’s chorus at the close of the service was the crowning jewel in a day of resurrection praise.

What was brought home to me personally last week was the power of worshiping with all God’s people. A stand-alone worshiper would not experience the gifts of God’s people in worship. I for one am thankful that at the West Main Church of Christ, we do not stand-alone nor worship alone. Praise be to God.

 – Terry

Memorial Service for Dan Slovak  – Saturday, May 7, 11:00 a.m.   —  There will be a sandwich/fingerfood/potluck fellowship following the service.  Please bring lots of your favorite foods to share.   ***Memorial contributions may be made to our youth camp fund in lieu of flowers.

Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance April 30

Please arrive promptly this Saturday at 5:00 p.m.  Dinner will be served and after dessert you and your guy will share some laughs and dancing.   For more info call Marcie Dixon.

Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Leaders  - Please reserve the date of May 7, for a Saturday Morning Breakfast in the Fireside Room at 7:00 a.m.  For more information contact Dan Beeks.

Camp Fundraiser & Registrations 

Save the date of May 21 for our Camp Fund Raising Dinner in the Fireside Room.  More details to come.

***Camp Registration Forms are now available in the lobby and at the Visitor Center.  Pick up your copy now.  Early Bird Discount price is $155.00.  Camp is July 10-16.

2011 Directories are ready to pick up!  They are located on the table by the Visitor Center.  Please take only one copy per family.  The directories that are in the binders are for new families or for those who do not have a binder.

Prayer Requests . . .                                       

Please continue to pray for a complete healing for Mel Hamilton, Connie Kennedy and Truman Scott ... For Ernest Strawn who is done with his radiation treatments and is still not feeling well from the treatments ... Cooper Albright had a positive blood test - please pray for his healing ... For our President and all of our military men, women and  families.

Placing Membership: 

Please welcome to our West Main Family Justin and Jennifer Rogers and their two sons, Briar and Carrick, and their two daughters, Kierra and Lyndin.  If you haven’t met this family, please do so this week. 

Thank You Notes: 

*Thanks again to all the folks who helped me move.  A wonderful blessing!   Peggy Woods

*For everyone who helped with our clean-up day last Saturday.  Our neighbors have commented on how much they are enjoying our spring flowers.  Thank you to all who helped with this project.

To Give Away – Evelyn Bates has a television and some strawberry plants to give away.  If you are interested in either please give her a call.