Sunday 30^th March 2025

Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIVUK)

Get me to the church on time
I don’t think I’ve ever read an article on the value of getting to church on time – until now, that is.  I came across it in April’s edition of Evangelicals Now.  Here are some of the benefits of getting to church in good time that the author identifies:

• It’s less stressful for you, and also for the rest of us.

• You can settle in gently and prepare your heart and mind for the service.

• You can pray beforehand – alone or with others.

• You get to hear the songs before the service (especially useful with new songs).

• You can welcome others or just say hello (as you now have time to do that).

• You can be around to help with anything that still needs doing before the service.

• You encourage others just by being there in good time.

• It says, “This is important to me and these people are important to me.”

• You make it easier for new people, so they’re not coming into an empty space.

• You won’t have to apologise for being late!

I suppose someone may ask, but does it really matter?  After all, there’s no commandment in the Bible to be on time for church!  That’s true.  But it may be an outworking of at least some of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  It’s a loving thing to do.  It also demonstrates kindness, faithfulness and even self-control.  And it may well result in greater joy and peace for us all.

Having said that, there will be times when we simply can’t get to church on time for good reasons, and we need to be patient and kind towards one another when that happens.  And we’d much rather people came late than not at all!

Prayer
Lord, thank you for the encouragement you give us through meeting together and with you as a church family; please show me how I can best be an encouragement to others, whether they come with me or I meet them there.  Amen.

Yours warmly, in Christ,

Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister)