Maybe it was because I was brought up going to church that I developed the habit of going to church on Sunday mornings, but other than that, there are other reasons. First off, the church according to GOOGLE is a symbol of a “spiritual community of believers in Jesus Christ” rather than just a physical building. “Rooted in the ancient Greek word ekklesia (meaning "called-out ones"), it symbolizes the active body of Christ on Earth, a unified spiritual family, and the living kingdom of God.” A church can be a cathedral, a little brown church in the dell, or in a garden, old pool hall, foxhole, or “wherever two or three are gathered in my name… “Yes, church is a place to gather, meditate, and feel reconciled to others and to God.
I love being in a place where hands, money, and purpose came together to construct or find a place of refuge, harbor, a place of contemplation. Churches offer solace in a grief-stricken, violent world. I especially like going to a church where there is music that lifts the spirit, that speaks of the glory of nature, and a universe so spacious one cannot comprehend it. That a moon, sun, and stars can move in orbits and not hit or run into other planets or one another makes my mind go crazy. That corn kernels grow in rows on the cob, that Monarch butterflies with delicate fluttering wings fueled only by nectar can make a journey of a thousands of miles, and that squirrels know from season to season where their acorns are buried is more than I can fathom. I go to church to think about those curious wondrous things. I go to listen to scripture being read.
Consider the Bible and those 39 books in the Old Testament that tell heroic stories, amazing natural deeds, laws of behavior, poetry, advice better than “Dear Abby” columns, prophecies, the history of a nation, and reflections about war and peace, among other significant subjects. To hear that genealogy and those trials, stories, and history being read aloud (especially if the reader is a good speaker), is like accepting a cold beverage on a sizzling hot day. Then of course there is the New Testament, and its 27 books which tell of a Man called Jesus, whose legacy and testimony has endured for over two thousand years. If it were not true, it would have been debunked by now. We who are believers, are asked to have faith as a child. A child does not question the reasons why such and such may or may not occur; the child simply accepts parents’ words. How beautiful is that? Even so, it is hard not to question such things if we deem ourselves to be intelligent, educated, scientific, or just plain human. What amazes me are scientists who after all their research come to the conclusion that there IS a Divine Creator. It is a wonderful thing to contemplate.
I go to church because I like being with people who have curious minds, loving hearts, caring spirits, and helping hands. I have many friends of other faiths and also friends who profess no faith, and I love them and love being with them, but I go to church because I am in a place where there is a common bond of comfort, inspiration, and faith. And nowhere, but nowhere are there more lovely rituals in which to be involved than in a church. Rituals teach and remind us of our beliefs. I go to participate in the sacraments, rituals. and the prayers, communion, songs and hymns, and sometimes even the potlucks, fellowship receptions, the lighting of candles, and the ringing of the church bell. I have touched on a few reasons I go to church. I would be remiss if I were not to mention the helpfulness of a sermon, a scripture reading, or a Pastor’s encouragement when I need guidance or reassurance.
I love being in a place where hands, money, and purpose came together to construct or find a place of refuge, harbor, a place of contemplation. Churches offer solace in a grief-stricken, violent world. I especially like going to a church where there is music that lifts the spirit, that speaks of the glory of nature, and a universe so spacious one cannot comprehend it. That a moon, sun, and stars can move in orbits and not hit or run into other planets or one another makes my mind go crazy. That corn kernels grow in rows on the cob, that Monarch butterflies with delicate fluttering wings fueled only by nectar can make a journey of a thousands of miles, and that squirrels know from season to season where their acorns are buried is more than I can fathom. I go to church to think about those curious wondrous things. I go to listen to scripture being read.
Consider the Bible and those 39 books in the Old Testament that tell heroic stories, amazing natural deeds, laws of behavior, poetry, advice better than “Dear Abby” columns, prophecies, the history of a nation, and reflections about war and peace, among other significant subjects. To hear that genealogy and those trials, stories, and history being read aloud (especially if the reader is a good speaker), is like accepting a cold beverage on a sizzling hot day. Then of course there is the New Testament, and its 27 books which tell of a Man called Jesus, whose legacy and testimony has endured for over two thousand years. If it were not true, it would have been debunked by now. We who are believers, are asked to have faith as a child. A child does not question the reasons why such and such may or may not occur; the child simply accepts parents’ words. How beautiful is that? Even so, it is hard not to question such things if we deem ourselves to be intelligent, educated, scientific, or just plain human. What amazes me are scientists who after all their research come to the conclusion that there IS a Divine Creator. It is a wonderful thing to contemplate.
I go to church because I like being with people who have curious minds, loving hearts, caring spirits, and helping hands. I have many friends of other faiths and also friends who profess no faith, and I love them and love being with them, but I go to church because I am in a place where there is a common bond of comfort, inspiration, and faith. And nowhere, but nowhere are there more lovely rituals in which to be involved than in a church. Rituals teach and remind us of our beliefs. I go to participate in the sacraments, rituals. and the prayers, communion, songs and hymns, and sometimes even the potlucks, fellowship receptions, the lighting of candles, and the ringing of the church bell. I have touched on a few reasons I go to church. I would be remiss if I were not to mention the helpfulness of a sermon, a scripture reading, or a Pastor’s encouragement when I need guidance or reassurance.
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