Very soon children of all age groups will be on summer vacation and this will set in motion summer vacation for the entire family. Parents will be busy making preparation to leave town. I know when it comes to our church most of us will take a vacation. I am using this message to encourage us to keep the energy alive during this summer. Whatever your plans are, the need for good quality worship does not go away.
Some people are already singing the summer attendance blues, indicating what I call the “summer slump” in attendance. Let us do all we can to continuously fuel church attendance during this summer, beginning with our own commitment to be at worship when we are still in town. The Men’s Sundays, Women’s Sundays, Family Sundays, Music Sunday, Workers’ Sunday are introduced to give us a special reason to come each Sunday. We are also in the process of planning a Tent Crusade for the month of August, this summer. Summer is time to do more for Jesus through all the church boards and auxiliaries, not less.
My experience as a pastor over the past 35 years is that summer affords the best opportunities to break down Satan’s strongholds in our personal lives, our family and the wider communities. It is my hope that the Tent Crusade will be a great way to revive our personal spiritual lives, and win souls for the Kingdom of God. This is probably the best way we can join forces with other churches to wage war against the forces of darkness. Unfortunately, there are those who presently have no appetite and passion for Tent Crusade. However, it is my prayer that each member of our Church family will experience a new surge of energy for the ministry they serve. I hope you will mobilize your entire family and neighbors to join you.
Finally, our choir plays an integral role in worship and I salute the choristers for their outstanding performance every Sunday. Second, I encourage all members of the choir to come ready every Sunday to give God your very best. Third, I support any choir member who desires some time off for vacation. Fourth, I underscore the vital contribution of music in worship. Singing was part of Israel’s worship in both the tabernacle and temple (1 Chronicle 6:31-32; 16:42). Music is made first of all to the Lord, and God never goes on vacation. I look forward to welcoming some guest musicians this summer. Choristers, I want to see you in the choir loft, hear your melodious voices, and see your smiling faces. Let us all work together to keep the energy alive every Sunday during this summer.
Let us with a gladsome mind, praise the Lord, for He is kind.
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Rev. Dr. Peter E. Grinion, Pastor