"Watch" Church or Worship

During this time of stay-at-home, we don't get to attend church. We aren't able to physically visit church family and we don't like it. However many church families are able to "participate" in church at home. Churches are using Facebook Live or YouTube or possibly other methods of televising worship services. I have to admit that I like the conference meeting method because I can see the faces of my church family! I've seen pictures of communion at home, drive-in style worship services where people view a big screen. I've seen drive-up confessional services. It's all been rather neat.

I have noticed that when I watch my church's Sunday Worship, I have 2 choices. I can sit and watch it like a television show. OR I can participate. I participate when I prepare for church like any other Sunday such as dressing for service, putting on make-up and styling my hair. I can participate by standing when we're supposed to stand, bow my head during prayer, sing aloud during songs, read aloud the appropriate responses. I have discovered that the more I participate this way, the more I am actually worshiping God, not just watching someone else worship God.

Don't get me wrong. It is not the same as being there. I like to see and talk to my church family. I like to use the hymnal for songs I don't know well. I like the pew bible when it differs from the Bible on my phone. I like singing Happy Birthday to those who have birthdays and listening to people announce their prayer concerns and their joys.

But during this time of staying-at-home as a way of loving our neighbors, we need to keep up the habit of actually attending church - participating in the service to the greatest extent possible. Don't play games on your phone. Don't read Facebook posts. Don't get up and get another cup of coffee (tea for me). Fully participate as if you are in the sanctuary during the service. Use this time just like any Sunday in the attitude of worship, from your heart, participating in thanking God for His mercies.

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