...."The Perfect Church!"
I worshiped in the perfect church yesterday. The music was wonderful. They sang two anthems, four congregational hymns (all stanzas), a call to worship, and an offertory special. The children's choir and the youth choir sang and all the handbell and chime choirs played.
I worshiped in the perfect church yesterday. It was announced that due to the offering surplus from the previous month, it was not necessary to receive an offering. It was announced that maybe by Easter, another offering would be received. They even had enough money to send out their 150-member mission teams to three different continents.
I worshiped in a perfect church yesterday. Everyone had agreed previously in the spirit of Christ, not to gossip, slander or find fault against one another. The harmonious atmosphere among the worshipers was most conducive for worship. The smiles on all the faces expressed genuine love and a kindly concern for all.
I worshiped in a perfect church yesterday. Everyone I saw spoke to me as I entered the building. The minister remembered me by name, though I had not attended worship in three years. The people were friendly. One couple even got up from their usual seat and allowed me to have it. The church was packed to capacity, yet there were no parking problems. There were 341 infants present, all seated within five rows of the pulpit, yet no one was distracted, not even the preacher! The temperature was just right, and the pews were soft and all could hear perfectly.
I worshiped in the perfect church yesterday. Even with all that was accomplished, the preacher had a great thirty-minute sermon, and we got out five minutes early. Perfect in every way! Then my alarm sounded, I woke up, got dressed and went to MY church. In my church I felt love, friendship, grace, forgiveness and acceptance. Even though it is not perfect it is MY/OUR church, and it's the perfect place for you and me!
Blessings, --Rev. Cooper Stonestreet