For fifteen months–from March 2020 to June 2021, when the entire world was effectively shut down by the novel and mysterious and deadly Covid-19 virus–we worshiped online.
We wondered when we would be able to worship in person again. We wondered if we would be able to worship in person again. We wondered, if we were able to worship in person again, would we??
Would people come back? Or would people have realized there were other things to do on a Sunday morning? Better things? Easier things? More relaxing things? More entertaining things? More meaningful things? More relevant things??
When we began to worship in person again, on June 6, 2021, I felt strongly that worship had to be relevant. It had to connect with our Monday-Saturday lives; it had to speak into our daily living; it had to say something about real life.
And so for that Sunday, and for each Sunday since then, I have composed what I have come to call my “opening monologue.”
It’s not funny at all. I keep thinking perhaps we would draw bigger crowds if it were. If only I could somehow channel Jimmy Fallon, or Tina Fey, or Trevor Noah. Or even better, David Letterman! But alas, I am no stand-up comic.
I am, however, a person of deep faith. And I am convinced that the Gospel has the power to transform lives, and that those transformed lives have the power to change the world. Still. Now. Today.
I believe, deep in my soul, that the message of Christ is relevant, that an orientation toward faith makes life more meaningful, and that being part of a community of Spirit-seeking folks offers belonging and strength like nothing else does.
And still…each week I ask myself: why do I go to church? Why do I keep showing up? Why do I keep hoping others will show up? Do I really need church?…
Each week, as I prepare worship, I ask myself that question. And each week, I come down on the side of YES.
Here’s one example:
My “Opening Monologue” (January 23, 2022)
There’s a group of us who are participating in the weekly study group that has begun to read the Bible chronologically. It’s still just January, so we’re not very far along yet—we’ve just moved out of Genesis, as a matter of fact!
But wowee wow wow, are those people nasty! There is so much lying! And deceit! And manipulation! And conniving! And violence! And scheming! And sibling rivalry–my boys have got nothing on the 10 older brothers of Joseph!
It’s almost like, well, almost like the kinds of behavior going on in the world today! Lying…deceit…manipulation…conniving…violence…scheming…
I’ve been reminded that, sadly, these kinds of behaviors are not new.
They seem to be as old as the human race. Which is a little discouraging…
And…I’ve also been reminded that in spite of that, God has remained faithful! Amazing. Amazing!
We humans continue to lie and deceive and manipulate one another, and threaten and compete and inflict violence upon one another… And God continues to be faithful.
God continues to call us back to God. God continues to invite us into a different way of being. God continues to work in us and through us and–too often–in spite of us, to bring about that different way of being, a reality grounded in healing and wholeness and freedom! AND, most amazing of all: God continues to LOVE US!
Here is this place, I hope we can be reminded of the reality of God, in the midst of the reality of our not-so-pretty humanity.
Here in this place, I hope we can be reminded of the invitation God continues to extend to us, to participate in and work for God’s reality…
Here in this place, I hope we can be reminded of God’s faithfulness across generations, in spite of our coming and going in faith, our sometimes-hot and sometimes-cold and often-times-lukewarm faith…
Here in this place, I hope we can be reminded of God’s unwavering presence with us and all of humanity, even though we waver in our commitment and in our courage…
Here in this place, I hope we can be reminded of the goodness of God,
even with full awareness of how we humans have lied and cheated and manipulated and schemed our way through history…
It’s good to be reminded of the reality of God, and the faithfulness of God, and the goodness of God…”
That’s one reason why I need church.
Why do you?
Deb Worley
Because I believe that GOD has a plan for all of us. And I am curious as to what it is? I know I have no clue or control over anything but I believe God is real and he/she has a sense of humor as well as a serious side. I feel I can talk to god any time, place or whenever! I don’t have to be in a particular mood or building to worship. All he/she wants is for us to acknowledge his-her presence and to respect and treat everything the same as we want to be treated! Love and be loved! Simple!