Sometimes someone tells a joke that doesn’t strike us as funny. Maybe it is their way of telling the joke; the timing is just a little bit off. Maybe the joke just doesn’t register with us. Or, maybe, just maybe, you had to be there. The situation in which the joke is told makes it so much more comedic. Your presence in the setting of the original joke/funny moment makes it better. Sometimes you just had to be there.
I could make that argument about every worship service. There is something about each worship service that requires your physical presence. In order to gain the benefit of each member of the body of Christ at that service, you just have to be there. In order to personally benefit from the sacrament, you have to be in-the-flesh present to eat and drink at the Table. I’ve heard similar arguments even about sermons. Sermons are “events in time” - a word from God to a specific group of people, in a certain place, and at a certain time (this is why I can’t ever reuse a sermon). You just have to be there.
I want to make that argument even more forcefully for this coming Sunday. You just have to be there. It is going to be a service that you’ll need to experience. It is going to be a service for which your presence is required. The following week, you won’t be able to ask someone about the service. It is going to be such a service that they’ll just say, “You had to be there!”
Oh, that for every service, we had a fear of missing out (FOMO) on the presence of God in Word and Sacrament. I pray that God would work that FOMO in you this weekend and every weekend beyond.
9:30 am - Worship Service with Communion
11:00 am - Potluck and “Get-to-know-you” Bingo
Bring a dish to pass and stay to eat. We’ll set up in the community room and eat outside.
12:30 pm - Workday
See you Sunday! You just have to be there.
Pastor Nate