More on the Menu
Michael Brown
in Worship, Evening Service
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9 Comments
As we conclude this series of short posts on the importance of the evening service, there are a few concluding thoughts to which I would like to draw your attention. First, we should keep in mind that the evening service provides a broader scope of preaching on the whole counsel of God, allowing the pastor to take his congregation through more of Scripture than only one service would allow. By calling two services on the Lord's Day, the elders have ensured that the menu is broadened. How else is a congregation to hear expository preaching through most of the Bible as well as frequent catechetical sermons on the doctrines of Scripture? Two sermons a week, rather than one, provides more rather than less.
Secondly, by making evening service attendance a norm for our families, our children grow up with a better understanding of the importance of the means of grace and the gathering of the saints in holy assembly. When parents make both services a priority for their families, there is a far greater chance that children will maintain this pattern later in their adult lives. Attending both services is not only good for our families souls now, but it is also a spiritual investment for the future.
Finally, while there may be legitimate, pastoral reasons why attending the means of grace in the evening is a practical impossibility for a particular family, we must be careful to examine ourselves to see if our aversion to the evening service is in reality an attitude that asks, "What is the least that is required of me?" Let us lay aside such ungrateful thinking and be reminded that we are pilgrims on the way to our heavenly home. Just as our lives are marked with the beautiful sabbatical rhythm of six-and-one that was established in creation and looks forward to the consummation, so we have a beautiful rhythm of worship each Lord’s Day that provides us with an opportunity both in the morning and the evening to gather together with God’s covenant community and receive his good gifts of Word and sacrament from his open hand.
As one charged with the responsibility of feeding the flock of Christ and watching out for their souls, I encourage you to attend the evening worship service. It is good for your soul. Make use of the spiritual feast prepared for you each week in the morning and evening.
Reader Comments (9)
I wonder how many Reformed Christians think that they have somehow been given a "pass" since they now have the Law and Gospel, the Catechism and the Confession "down"?
A "pass" would be understandable if the evening service was Sunday school. But it isn't. It's a worship service called by God through the elders.
That's sort of my point, that there are people who think that because they know, they don't need to go. As well, how many are actually putting the evening service into the category of that which is called by the elders and the BCO. Do you think that many might simply be categorizing it with Sunday School.
Anyway, see you tonight
Checked out an RCUS church here and was not impressed.
Service was moralism, too much law, topical. abortion?
Certainly not Scripture exposited! few had bibles!!
Sunday school was so hap hazard - go around the table and read a verse - no real rhyme or reason for what was presented. Pastor was always bragging about who he knew or knows, etc etc. That got real old.
There is no evening service - sacraments are like 5-6 times a year. Ick!
In how many years never once a visit by the elders or pastor. Sorry to say I could go on.
Get this - i talked to a very wise senior pastor from a RCUS church - and I explained to him what has gone on over a period of time - He told me to move on - there are way to many folk in his church that have come from just such a church as that.
Thats pretty sad advice to get.
And the pastors conference always ended up getting nowhere - at least in this church - and nothing is ever done to make it what it should be - don't rock the boat here, mind your own business.
Last one - what is one to think when you talk to a past elder of the church and he tells me how salvation works, "in his book, you behave and do good works"
enough said - so we wonder why finding a church in the reformed church is getting so hard -
What can I say - ??
Is a 7foot statue of (Jesus?) over the altar in the LCMS church right? so much for going there after what we saw and heard. Its thin pickings in the midwest so far.
Doulos,
I am sorry to hear of your frustrating experience. Where are you at in the MidWest?
Pastor Brown,
Speaking about the importance of inculcatinging healthy habits in our children and teaching them the importance of the means of grace reminded me of a review by Christian Smith in the issue before last of Books & Culture. I thought you should know about it.
Is this the socialigist Christian Smith whose research has led him to conclude that American religion today is "moralistic therapeutic deism"? I have heard him on the White Horse Inn before. His research is profound.
What book did he review?
Yes, this is the same Christian Smith, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology at the Univ. of Notre Dame, once at UNC-Chapel Hill. He reviewed Emerging Adulthood by Jeffrey Jenson Arnett, Emerging Adults in America edited by Jeffrey Jenson Arnet, et al., Passing on the Faith edited by James L. Heft, On Your Own Without a Net edited by D. Wayne Osgood, et al., On the Frontier of Adulthood edited by Richard Settersten, et al., and Generation Me by Jeane M. Twenge. His review is "Getting a Life: The Challenge of Emerging Adulthood," in the Nov./Dec. 2007 issue of Books & Culture.
Thanks Michael. I will definitely have a look at this. I am planning to do a series of posts on family prayer/devotions. I am sure Dr. Smith's reviews will be helpful.