What to Bring to Church

Here are a few words of encouragement for returning to in-person worship gatherings—and let me offer them on the analogy of travel, what to bring along for this very special adventure together:

• Your Bible.  No surprise there.  As we dig into Scripture, it’s so very helpful to follow along and see the claims, prom­ises, warnings, and challenges of God with your own eyes.
• Your loved ones.  Come as a family, or with friends.  Or come meet up with spiritual family here at Goshen.  Or invite someone you’ve met walking in your neighborhood in recent months.
• A face covering. Now this is different—and yet we’ve all gotten accustomed to wearing masks to the store.  It’s no fun, true; it’s uncomfortable, true.  But it helps reduce the spread of Covid-19, and in PA it’s mandated.  Children too—we’re in this together.
• Kid gear. If you have younger children, think about bringing age-appropriate books, notebook and markers, etc., for them.  (Reminder:  initially as we return to in-person worship, childcare is not provided; families stay together; if necessary, parents can go with their kids to Fellowship Hall and watch the livestream.)
• Your patience. We’re trying a lot of new things here—with our ushering, offering, livestreaming, service times, social distancing, face coverings, not shaking hands…  Thanks for understanding.
• Your focus. The Enemy is eager to divert our attention toward unexpected changes and inconveniences, and next thing you know he’s hijacked your Sunday and your heart is not refreshed.  Focus in—fix your eyes on Jesus.  Think “Gospel.”  Be relentless to push all secondary things off of center stage in your soul.
• Your servant attitude. Accept God’s charge to put others first (Philippians 2:3-5).  Put on that mask with joy, knowing it’s a gesture of love to your brothers and sisters who may be more concerned about the virus than you are.  Say to yourself, “What matters to me are the needs of my loved ones.” Say it over and over.  Remember, “Love does not insist on its own way” (1 Cor 13:5).