Last night's service was one and a half hours long. Someone remarked that if I'd had preached that long someone might have grumbled a little. I would hope not, even though we've made it almost Biblical to have a worship service only one hour long!
But it's not the time I want to comment about, it the blessing that it was to all who came. The songs were about Calvary and our Christ and when it was all over I felt as if I had been in His presence. I was feeling joy and thankfulness and really didn't want the service to end. I noticed that others were slow to leave also, most stayed around and talked with others for another half hour, some were still there an hour later. It seems that when we feel the fellowship with the Spirit we want the fellowship with the saints.
Yet the thing that impressed me the most was the joy that radiated from the faces of those who ministered the Word through music. It wasn't just a performance of talent, but of young people and children who believed in what they were singing about. There was a desire to be there and minister, a word of personal testimony, a twinkle in the eyes, and smiles that reached from ear to ear. It was a heart to heart service and was a blessing to all.
I had a brother leave after one of the services yesterday say to me, "I came because I needed encouragement and I got it". That's what our fellowship is all about and we find what we need when we come. What a blessing is the ministry of the Word and the fellowship of the Saints.