I heard a story a while back about a father who was sick and his three sons were constantly experiencing friction and difficulty in their relationships with each other. The dad, wanting his children to see that they were indeed stronger together shared a strange request. He asked them to each bring 2 sticks to his hospital bed. With each son present with their sticks, he asked them one by one to attempt to break one of the sticks. They did so easily. Then the father asked them to combine each of their remaining sticks together and attempt to break them. The object lesson needed no explanation. The point was obvious. They were stronger together. Many times in life we can find ourselves like those sons, at odds with those close to us or just find ourselves drifting from family, friends, co-workers, the church, the community…..Remember we are stronger together.
We are stronger together as a church family at Choice. Our strength comes not merely from one another but from Him in whose Name we gather, Jesus. Jesus reminds us that “where two or three are gathered together, there am I in the midst of them.” Sometimes we mistakenly sense His presence in the spectacular, or the large gatherings of an event, concert or church service. Those spaces have been largely avoided and set aside during COVID. I know many miss those experiences, but let’s not confuse the spectacular for the supernatural. Whether you are joining a small group of 5 people in person or online this fall or you attend one of our worship services at 9:00 or 10:30am online or in person, we hope that you experience the supernatural. It may feel different to watch online by yourself or to attend an in person service with less people but God’s presence and power is still there. Our hope this fall is that you experience God’s presence among other believers and are able to rely and draw on His strength to do what God has called you to do. Will you consider one, two or all three of the following commitments this fall? I believe these three commitments strengthen the church and the people of the church:
Join a group. We have around a dozen small groups that start the week of September 27th, both online and in person groups. Get connected through prayer, fellowship and Bible study. You can view them and sign up for them on the church website or download the church center app.
Attend worship. Online or in person, commit to gathering with God’s people and worshiping Jesus together.
Serve. It is time to give back what God has given us to use for his service. Maybe you have a gift, you have time, you have a passion or skill. Use it and serve Him now. I believe we can be and will be stronger together as we commit together to these three areas in the life of the church. #ChoiceIsStrongerTogether
