Hospital for Sinners

“Hospital for sinners,” that’s how my cousin put it. It is an excellent reminder that while our sins have been remitted, we are human and we’re a work in progress. It’s not a simple prescription, “Take one savior and give plenty of service.”

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV)

That’s why I attend those four services listed on that welcoming sign.

Sunday School – we’re there a little after 9:00 because Beloved Husband has returned to the choir. Now, that’s a blessing in itself – for so long he could not read because of the double vision, nor could he retain his balance. Now, he’s holding up well in the bass section! So I get an extra cup of coffee as others arrive for Sunday School at 10:00.

We are there at 10:00 when Pastor opens Sunday School with coming announcements, lists prayer requests and opens with prayer. Then he leads us in Bible study, ready and able to answer our questions as they arise.

Morning Worship begins at 11:00 with congregational singing followed by a special by our choir. We are very much together, even those of us off key (guilty.) A moment or two of reports, announcements, a special music presentation and sermon. An orderly movement from one thing to another, just as Paul wrote:

Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV)

We may not be very organized – being an independent church – but we do follow scripture and understand that learning what it means is an important part of the services.

Sunday evening we return. Again, Beloved Husband and I are there by the 5:00 adult choir rehearsal – so they can sound good for the following Sunday morning! Someone once asked me why we return on Sunday evening – had we been so bad in the afternoon that we needed to? Sorry, we don’t go to church “because we’re bad” nor “to get good.” We go to share what we know and learn what others know. We are exhorting – strongly encouraging – one another. That’s absolutely biblical!! Luke mentions it:

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22 KJV)

Then there’s Wednesday – lots happen on Wednesday. Beginning at 6:30, children and teens arrive for their lessons. We used to work with the children by preparing and serving treats. We both miss that, but BH’s health did not allow that for a couple of years. So, we meet with the adults at 7:00 for Bible lessons and a prayer service. That helps us with another Bible verse:

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)

We do that a lot, don’t we? Every single service, and every single day in between, for many hours during the day. I see a name – I pray for that person. I see a picture – I pray for that person. God has laid a couple of people on my heart (one I’ve never met and am absolutely certain I never will!) – and I pray that God’s will be done in their lives. And, in mine.

So – that’s what the “hospital for sinners” does on those days. Another time I’ll write about our Youth activities, the Children’s specials, our Adult special Tuesdays, Monday visitation, Ladies Meetings, banquets – yes – we keep a very busy schedule. Come, join us.