Come Together, Right Now, Over Me

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Creekside has had a busy few weeks lately.

I was talking with my friend Christine as we cleaned, hung pictures, washed dishes, carried things from one room to another, and many other random things together last Saturday. I was joking around that we were washing dishes for Jesus, cleaning bathrooms for Jesus, etc. She said that she would not be able to attend church the next day (for the first time gathering together as a church in our new building) because she has to work Sundays right now. I told her we would miss her.

But then I thought, she wasn’t really missing “church” because Saturday, it seemed to me, was church. We were a people gathered together in the name of Jesus, in the mission of Jesus. Our term that we use when we take a Sunday to help others as a community every so often, “Worship Through Service,” seems so appropriate these past few weeks, as Creekside people (and friends) did anything and everything to get stuff from two buildings into one different place, and getting the new building ready to be our “church.” I saw people planning, building, power washing, driving, painting, stapling, decorating, cleaning, vacuuming, scrubbing, moving things, packing and then unpacking, loading and unloading, raking, planting, weeding, lawn mowing, setting up electronic things, fixing broken things, hauling things, and a myriad of things I didn’t see. I know I was not the only one who fell into bed, exhausted, Saturday night.

I am amazed and grateful for all the hard work and long hours, creativity and muscle power, leadership and followership that so many people gave this past month! The building and grounds looked beautiful last Sunday, as God also gave us a sunny day. I loved seeing the young children running around on the grounds after church, and feeling the excitement in the air.

As Doug has emphasized, Creekside isn’t about a building – it never has been. Having a building is going to increase our opportunities for ministry. It will be fun to see what happens. But I think that Creeksiders get that we are the Church – a sent people who gather together regularly to worship God. We have poured out a lot of service being a mobile church. Setting up, tearing down, getting things ready, putting things away. Much needed, and much appreciated. It is different now, although there is still a lot that needs to be done regularly in having a building of our own. But I’m hoping and praying that Creekside will continue to be and grow even more into a church that is about pouring our lives into our neighbors, communities, work, families, outside mission, whatever God calls us to do that day, for the kingdom of God. That we will continue to be and grow even more into being a people who prays, and prays hard, for others. To pray for our own needs as individuals and as small groups and as a whole congregation, but also for those we see around us who, simply put, need Jesus. That we will grow even more into a people who are quiet enough, and take the time enough, to listen to what God is saying to us.

So many people are hurting around us, and we need to be aware, even as we go through our busy day, and pray. We as believers are all called to pray. It is not the gift of some, but the privilege of everyone to do so. And we are all called to love in action – not just the gift of some, but the privilege of everyone.

It is an exciting time! I’m excited to see what God is doing, and what He will do in the future as we love God, love others, serve and act, be aware and pray, wherever we go. And as we meet in our new building as a church, as a gathered sent people who live in the kingdom of God, who seek God and whatever He is doing. Let us come together…

Kelly can be reached via email.