LOG LANE COMMUNITY CHURCH WEEKLY BULLETIN
Sunday, September 3, 2006
What the Church Believes - Regular Church Attendance

Why is regular weekly church attendance so important? Why can’t a believer stay at home and develop spiritually just through Bible reading and prayer?

Hebrews 10:25 gives the command in no uncertain terms:

Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting [encouraging] one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25 (RVR)
²⁵ no dejando de congregarnos, como algunos tienen por costumbre, sino exhortándonos; y tanto más, cuanto veis que aquel día se acerca.

The New Testament church met faithfully on the first day of the week. Its members were instructed to bring their offerings to God on that day [1 Cor. 16:2].

A person’s reasons for going to church are usually influenced by his or her appreciation of the children of God. If worldly friends are more admired than godly saints are, then church attendance will fade in importance and attractiveness. If godly people are admired and appreciated as beautiful contrasts with the evils of the world, one will want to spend time with them worshiping God. Church services can seem boring when they are man made, but God’s real presence is never boring to a true believer. Those who put on a spiritual façade but underneath prefer worldly pursuits are likely to avoid situations where God is present in His beauty and power. But apart from our feelings about personal church attendance, we must look at Scripture to see the importance God places on attendance in His House with fellow believers.

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the necessity of setting aside a day each week to acknowledge God’s importance in our lives is not only stressed but commanded [Ex. 20:8]. Jesus who is Lord of the Sabbath [Mark 2:28] was faithful to the Sabbath law and was regularly found in the House of God during His earthly walk [Luke 4:16]. If the Son of God felt the need to attend a house of worship regularly we, His followers, should do no less. The Sabbath as an Old Testament tradition gives way in the New Testament to gathering for worship on the first day of the week as a commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection. The day, however, is not the essential; the gathering together is.

Relationships are an important part of human life. We were not created to live in isolation. Historically, some hermits have withdrawn from the world to mediate and have communion with God, but Scripture nowhere teaches permanent solitude as a lifestyle. Having understood the importance of fellowship with other human beings, our choice of associations is critical. Rather than finding our fellowship with people of the world, we can go to a church, even in a different city, and expect to find people of like beliefs and faith.  (Continued next Sunday)

High Plains School of Ministry
Students, have a great Monday night off because it will be your last one until November 20th. We look forward to some great classes. If you apply yourself you will have a great experience with God.

Pray for the Bible College students. They have made a dedication to God to make it through these three years. It is very hard sometimes.

From Pastor’s Heart
Pray for Log Lane Community Church’s finances. We never make a big issue of money. God has always supplied and I know He speaks to the hearts of His people.

If everyone in the church supported the church every need would be met. I am working full-time at the Sheriff’s Dept. to help out the church. Sometimes it is hard to take care of everything that needs to be done but with God’s help everything will work out.

My day starts at 5:00 A. M. and ends between 10 and 12. I do not take what some of my Pastor Friends call R & R time.

I guess I am asking you to consider helping us. There are so many things you can do. Let me share a couple:

1. Prison/Jail Ministry – The church gives Christ for Prisoners $50.00 a month mission offering. We are able to buy Bibles and Bible Studies. This has been a joyous week for me. Five prisoners in the Morgan County Jail have completed 52 lessons in the Bible. That means they have read the Bible [mostly for the first time] from cover to cover.
   
   You could be a volunteer in the jail or write some of the prisoners who write me. Let me share a couple of sentences from a letter received Monday, “My name is Deane M. and your book has helped me this 20th day of August 2006 for as I read I began to cry and fell on my knees and give thanks and praise to the Lord.” This young lady is locked up in California and gave her heart to the Lord. We receive letters like this every week, from all over the U.S.
   
   
2. Help needed at the church – We have several jobs that need to be done at the church. We will have a work day Saturday, Sept. 9th and 16th. If you cannot come to church on either of those days but have time during the week talk to Pastor and find out what you can do.
   
   
3. Pray for the following needs:

• The Church’s financial needs. Make a commitment to God that you will do your part, as a member of LLCC.
• Pastor Dave and Carol’s family.
• We have 2 ordinations, for ECA, next week, in Denver. Pray for those being ordained.
• Morgan County Jail ministry. We could use some faithful volunteers. There are many who want to come to the Jail who do not believe in having a personal relationship with Christ. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”