After being out of the house for the day, my kids will come in the door, kick off their shoes, and crash on the couch. It just feels good to be home. Sometimes they will go put on their PJs and get seriously relaxed and cozy. There really is no place like home. The essence of a home isn’t really in the structure or building or the furnishings. Its the people in the home that make it a home. Home is more than just a house. It’s the place you belong.
One of the things that has surprised Landon as he talks to people about church is that they really don’t understand what church even is. Most people think church is a building. Other people consider it just a one hour a week service to attend. The fact is that church simply means a group of people. A group of people called out by God. It’s really something very special. Many times people wonder why anyone would want to leave home, give up a Sunday morning to sit in an uncomfortable pew with a bunch of strangers, hear an outdated sermon and sing strange songs. You're right who would want to do that? I think we’d all agree we’d rather just stay home if that’s all church was about. But have you ever considered that gathering with the church could actually be like coming home?
Home is special because it’s the place where you feel welcome, relaxed, loved, and accepted just as you are. When you’re home you don't put on your nice clothes. You stay comfortable. You might not do your hair or even brush your teeth if you stay home. Why? Because you aren’t trying to impress anyone. You know deep down that the people in your home love you even in your messy hair and pajamas. They’re your family.
At Restore Church we have a banner we hang up where we meet together on Sundays It says “Family Gathers Here” This sign is a great reminder to us that we are Family. This is why gathering together should feel like coming Home! You get to come together with a group of people who love God and love you! Our hope is that everyone who comes to one of our gatherings is greeted warmly and feels accepted. Not because they are perfect or pretty or are popular but simply because they are a person. Created in the image of God, and loved just as they are. We seek to love others the same way and also live out the one another passages commanded in scripture. This can only be done by spending time together with our family. Quality time to love family takes more than just sitting in a service together for one hour a week. Relationships are built and strengthened through sharing life together.
This week some of the ways this was played out were: one group got together to help a family stack their wood. We heard of families who invited other families over for Sunday lunch. Another way was visiting a new neighbor with a homemade treat. Another couple is learning how to communicate and have a plan for their finances. We also had an opportunity this week to serve lunch to the teachers at the local preschool/ kindergarten.
Church families and biological families are God’s plan to help grow us to be more like Him. Since all families are made up of people who don’t always agree or get along or have the same opinion, there are many opportunities to forgive, overlook faults, and give grace. Its definitely not easy. It takes lots of love, prayer and obedience to God’s Word. When you see a group of people loving one another in this way you know God is the one who gets the glory!
The last few months in Sunday morning gatherings we have been learning about family. We spent a few weeks discussing what the Bible says about marriage. Then we learned about honoring God with our finances. Recently we have been studying God’s plan for parenting. We have many young families in our church and we have all been challenged to be open and honest with our struggles and mistakes. Knowing that God’s Word has the answers gives hope to raise Godly families in an ungodly world.
We are so thankful for all the great people in our church family and all the ways God is working in hearts. Please keep praying for us as our family grows, that we will stay faithful in reading our bibles, praying, and loving others.
We are also looking forward to a wedding this month for a couple in our church. Also pray for our Kids Bible Camp happening in August. We will be teaming up with another local church. We are excited about this opportunity to get the gospel out to children in and around Goffstown.
Finally pray where God might lead us if there is another rental building that would give us more room for our growing children’s ministry.