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Negotiating the Barriers to Worship
Presently,
this statement is more than a metaphor for dealing with the personal or
spiritual hindrances to worship. These past few weeks you have had to
weave in and around construction barricades to gain entrance to our
parking lot. You have been forced to ignore the bright flashing
imperatives: "Road
Closed!", "Use Detour at 19th
Ave!",
and
"Turn-around Now!" Some would be worshippers
have paused and then cautiously proceeded through the maze of warnings,
barricades, and equipment. Others have turned around and gone home.
Let it be known from now until November you will face
something new each week as you come to worship at First Free. Construction
on Seventh Street, Changes in our Sunday morning Service Schedule, and
those always-present Spiritual Hindrances will challenge your approach to
Worship. Determine now to be undeterred in gathering together with your
Church Family for the Worship of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Construction Challenge
Up-to-date information will be provided by a variety of means, so that you
will know how to access the parking lot at First Free. Look in the Worship
Folder and on the Web for current information. Our desire will be to
ensure that you know how to approach First Free and what to expect as you
arrive.
The Sunday Morning Challenge
Beginning Sunday, May 23rd, we
will launch a new schedule for our Sunday Mornings. Worship will begin at
9:00 a.m., followed by Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships at 10:30
a.m. This change will come with some unexpected surprises. You might
arrive in the parking lot to discover that someone parked in your spot.
And then, as you enter the Worship Center (Sanctuary), you may find that
someone is sitting in your seat. Don’t take offense. It might be their
seat, too. Look at this challenge as an opportunity to meet new people. In
fact, you may want to try sitting in a variety of locations over several
weeks, before settling in on a new preferred spot. And, be sure to
introduce yourself to those worshippers that you have not met before. They
might be visitors, or surprise...they might be members and your new best
friend!
The Spiritual Challenge
The greatest barrier to the true worship of God is sin. The LORD declares,
"I cannot tolerate
sin-stained celebrations!" Sin that is unknown,
unconfessed, or unrepented will nullify your worship of God. I encourage
you to regularly examine yourself (Psalm 139:23-24) and ask God to
mercifully show you your sin so that you can confess it. Why? Because, you
cannot know and enjoy God apart from regular confession of sin. And,
because He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Yes, the greatest barrier to the
true worship of God is sin. But praise be to God! He has removed that
barrier through the sacrifice of His son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. - P.Tom
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