Articles
GLAD TO BE HOME!
In Acts 20, we read of the apostle Paul’s desire to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost
(vs. 16). No doubt one of the reasons was to be sure to deliver the collection which had been
made by churches in Macedonia and Achaia to aid the Jews in their time of trouble (Romans
15:26-28; 2 Cor. 8 and 9). I can’t help but think some of the urgency was also for the purpose of
just being with the saints to worship God, to visit with friends far and wide, to encourage and be
encouraged. Surely the visits he made back home in Antioch after each journey abroad was met
with great joy, especially regarding the news of the spreading of the kingdom of God!
We are glad we are on home base following our travels afar. I thought of you Wednesday
evening as we participated in the devotional in Harrisburg. Don’t worry about me getting out of
practice, they put me to use there. They had a fairly large crowd Sunday morning, but my
thoughts continued to drift back to Monticello. I was blessed to hear Cathy’s Dad teach a class
on 2 Corinthians 12 and the preacher spoke about “thanksgiving” from Psalm 65 (they put me to
work again!). I know that you also were uplifted from the morning worship and Bible class here.
Sunday evening the preacher spoke on “Prophecy in the Bible” and again my mind would drift to
the family here knowing the sermon you would be hearing from Jason. A very big thank you to
Joe, Brad, and Jason as they filled in for me in my absence.
When we come together for worship each week (Sunday and Wednesday), it is more than
just a time to fulfill the command of being together (Hebrews 10:24-25). It is a time in which we
encourage one another in the work of the Lord. I am uplifted every time I gather with the saints
in Monticello. You are a great encouragement to me, as I hope I can be to you. I am uplifted
when we lift our voices together in praise to God. Your singing is a great inspiration to me and I
pray acceptable to the Lord. And what joy when we witness some of our younger ones take the
challenge to “lead” in worship! It is good to see our younger ones growing into leadership roles.
May we all be an example and encouragement to them.
Yes, it is good to be home and I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we gather to praise
the Lord!
Keep in mind that we will meet in our Small Study Groups Sunday evening to study the
Influence in Our Homes. Don’t forget that beginning January 6 we will begin our study— Look
at the Book. This will be a survey of the complete Bible in one year. Notebooks are being
prepared now for each adult in the congregation. ~P. Mowrer
