Last Sunday, Pastor Brad jokingly commented, "You all have perfect attendance in worship in 2012!"  I wonder how many of us will be able to say that on December 30, 2012?  Developing a worship "habit" makes great sense, especially since the author of the Hebrews reminded us:  ²⁵Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25 NIV

Hebrews was written in the first, Christian century, probably within fifty years of Jesus' death and resurrection.  One would think that Christians in those days would be all about the habit of worshiping together, especially since Jesus told us wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there with us!  Yet, the habit of worshiping together was apparently already being abandoned by some.  Why?  I can picture some early believers saying, "I can worship God out on the chariot course" (instead of golf course, which hadn't been invented!), which is true, but chariot courses and golf courses weren't created as places to worship God.  Another might say, "It cuts into my weekend.  After all, I only get one day off each week.  I don't want to 'waste' half the day in worship."  (I've heard that excuse over the years, in case you think I'm making it up.)  Still another might have said, "It takes too much effort to get everyone ready, and since my husband/wife doesn't go with me, I don't want to split up the family."  (Again, I've heard this reason/excuse for not worshiping with others.)  Okay, okay.  I'll admit people can always find a reason for NOT developing or maintaining the habit of worshiping together with other believers.

Let's think of some reasons why we'll benefit when we develop or maintain the habit of worshiping with other believers.  1)  It glorifies God!;  2) It builds our faith!;  3) It gives us opportunities to get to know others who share a common faith in Jesus!;  4)  Great snacks! (Okay, I'll admit that isn't a spiritual reason, but I bought the snacks for tomorrow and they ARE going to be great!)  5)  It helps us grow in our understanding and application of God's word!; 6)  It gives us the opportunity to introduce our friends who don't know Jesus to Jesus and to some great folks who are part of New Life!;  7) God commands us to worship Him! (I'll admit that's a bit heavy, but it's true.); 8) Great worship music!; 9) The new series:  Hope: When Life Hurts Most addresses some of the real questions and challenges each of us has with our faith, and how to grow when life hurts!; 10)  As with everything else that's good for us, we'll feel better AFTER we've done it!

I hope (and pray) you'll join us tomorrow for any of the above reasons, and dozens more I could list, but most of all because we serve a great God, who is worthy of our worship and praise!  See you at 8:45 or 10:15 a.m. at the South Butler Primary School on Knoch Road in Saxonburg!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may be empowered to glorify and praise You in all we are and do!  Draw us together tomorrow in worship, and together in ministry and mission throughout the coming week.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.e