Celebrating Easter Every Sunday

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Easter has come and gone for another year. Churches were packed that Sunday from sunrise services through regular and extra worship services. Some of my colleagues had to hold Easter services off-sight for a variety of reasons. Some wanted to reach the unchurched and thought off-site might be the best way to do this.  Some would have had to hold so many services in their current facilities that it made sense to go off-site to a larger facility. Some for both reasons and maybe some others as well. I imagine that some saw larger crowds than they will see all year until Easter next year – April 20th.

If their attendance was anything like I have experienced over the years – although there were some visitors – like family visiting for the long holiday weekend – folks looking for a church or simply the C&E folks (Christmas and Easter) – mostly the higher attendance is a product of the regular folks all attending on the same Sunday. Sadly – studies show that regular for some means once or twice a month – something less than most every Sunday. When attendance on a regular Sunday is say 75 and on Easter it blossoms to 125 with only 10 visitors – that suggests that if your regulars were more regular – your normal attendance might be closer to 115 than 75.

As pastors we often ask the question – how can I reach the unchurched who attend on Easter? I would like to suggest – too late for this Easter but since they will be around some moving forward – we also ask the question – how can we excite the regulars to be more regular in cooperate worship? I’m not suggesting that those who see once or twice a month as regular worship are not sincere about their faith. For whatever the reason – and that is the key – other things take a priority over cooperate worship two to three Sundays a month. Why and what can the church do about that priority listing – if anything?  Shouldn’t the joy of our salvation – our relationship with Jesus – overcome even the toughest circumstances of life?

Gathering Together

Hebrews 10:24–25

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Last Sunday was Easter – and most sanctuaries were probably fuller than normal. I know our church had a number of folks that were visiting and most of our regular members were present. It wasn’t packed – but there were more than usual. It was a wonderful day and worship was a blessing. Did you attend worship? If so – leave some comments in the comment section giving God glory for what you experienced.

My sermon Sunday – was about commissioning the Body of Christ – the church – to go out and tell somebody about Jesus. You can hear the service and sermon here. The sermon is titled – The Great Commissioning – and is based on Matthew 28:1-20. I challenged the congregation – and myself – to think of four persons that they believed needed to hear about Jesus – and go and share our faith with them.

Do Not Lose Heart

2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

One thing about pastoring an older congregation (on average) – there is never a dull moment – health wise. Whether it is an older member falling down the steps or having a car accident (not their fault) – or battles with Covid-19 – cancer – dementia – surgeries – general falls – etc. We have a 97 year old who is still active in worship – from his wheelchair (thanks to his son and daughter-in-law). We have others in their 90’s and upper 80’s who are still in leadership positions and very active in the life of the church. We have younger folks as well – in their 70’s – 60’s – 50’s and so on – who have their own battles with health and life. It is a very interesting congregation. One my father served when I was in Junior High through my College years.

One thing about life – as we get older – is that our bodies will not always be in great shape. Even if we keep our weight down and stay active – things happen. Even if we use skin treatments and take plenty of vitamins – eat a healthy diet – and get good sleep – the body will not last forever. That is one reason – even with all the attention we give or do not give our bodies – it is our spirit we should be most focused on. The body may decay – eventually – but our spirit will live eternally. It will live eternally with God or eternally without God – our choice.

As The Day Approaches

Hebrews 10:24–25

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Baltimore Orioles are one game away from clinching the East Division of the American League or Major League baseball. They are also one game away from having the best record in the American League locked up and a first round bye in the upcoming playoffs. They could clinch each tonight – Thursday – September 28^th – with a win over Boston. A win would also be their 100^th of the season – and put them 41 games over .500. All of this – just a couple of seasons since losing 110 games. As the day approaches – people are getting excited. More and more fans are gathering at the stadium for these last regular season games. Friday night is already a sellout and I would imagine tonight will be too – with the chance to clinch – and Saturday and Sunday too.

Today is the 28^th of September. That means that Christmas is less than 3 months away. Most of us can probably remember the excitement of Christmas approaching. What memories do you have about Christmas? As the day approaches – will your excitement level rise? What Christmas memories do you have? I have loads of them and will share some in the months to come.

Two of our daughters will settle on homes in the weeks to come. One has been waiting to find just the right home on the western shore so that she can move closer to her family. We are all so excited about her move back home to Anne Arundel County with her husband and child. As the day approaches – we are all making plans to take time off so that we can help her move. We will be so blessed to have all six of our children and all seven of our grandchildren close to home. We’re all excited – as the day approaches.

Revival Starts on Saturday and Sunday

Matthew 28:18–20

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Today’s passage is called the Great Commission. It is often seen as the marching orders for the Christian church. We are called to go and make disciples of or for Jesus Christ (whichever makes the most sense to you – lol). In the early years of the Christian movement called Methodist – making disciples – followers of Christ – seemed to be the main focus. Revivals and Camp Meetings were all the rage and altar calls were commonplace in Methodist worship – as pastors challenged parishioners to be transformed after the likeness of Christ. I remember revivals and camp meetings and altar calls and still use them today. I wonder how many pastors still call the people they serve to holiness?

Early Methodists were called to holiness – they were part of the holiness movement in the United States for instance. We were taught to study the Word of God (the Bible) and to strive to live our lives after what it taught. We were even encouraged to avoid some of the ills of our society. The way it was explained to me (as a third-generation Methodist pastor) – Methodists were encouraged to abstain from alcohol – from playing cards – from dancing – even from playing pool. The reason – again as it was explained to me – was because these social activities were often associated with bars and night clubs – with gambling and behavior and places that were not appropriate for folks striving to follow Christ and seeking holiness (makes sense to me). We were encouraged to avoid even the appearance of evil or sin (both Biblically and personally by pastors and parents). We were encouraged to keep Sunday set aside for the Lord. In my home growing up – Sunday was a day for Worship and Sunday School in the morning – a family lunch – a nap time – youth group – and worship in the evening. Sunday was a day set aside for being with God and with other Christians.