Anticipation: The Blessings Of Sunday Gatherings

Anticipation: The Blessings Of Sunday Gatherings 

Acts 20

KJV

7+ And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Since my “ retirement “ from active service I’ve been visiting to worship with a few assemblies of the Lord’s church and it is refreshing to see how many attend the meetings with broad smiles on their faces as they meet and greet each other!

I’ve observed this on several occasions, and it gladdens my heart. One thing it conveys to me is captured in one word—anticipation! The joy of seeing each other after a long break (Monday -Saturday) means a lot! 

One category of members to whom the Sunday assembly is of great importance from my observation is the elderly 

The majority of these members are confined to their homes, and no one visits them during the weekdays. Therefore, they look forward to the Sunday gathering with great anticipation! In most places, they were the first to be in the building before services began! 

They do so because that’s when and where they’ll meet and chat with others. 

I’ve often watched the broad smiles and joys that they display, the warm handshakes and the long “ tolis, stories “ they tell! If you are the impatient one you’ll think they are “wasting” your time. 

Brethren, let us practice what the scriptures say ( paraphrase )  “ we the stronger ones should bear with them for in so doing we’ll be fulfilling the law of Christ, which says love and receive one another just as I loved and received you !”

  A time for and with the elderly is a blessing! 

We need to exercise patience with them, for the Sunday gathering is the only opportunity they have in a week of seven days to socialise, so put yourself in their shoes. 

The twi proverb says it, “ awèrè kyî kyî yè fà (nyà) nô wô nipà hû! ( forgive me if I didn’t put it well!) The Sunday gathering is the only assurance that makes them feel that they are part of society! Let us not deny them this by ignoring them! 

Having said this may we give thoughts to how we can make the “Day “ pleasant, joyful and memorable to them. 

We can do this in many ways, 

1. (1) 
2. for instance we can let them stay a little longer after the service to chat and fellowship with each other. They do so over a little refreshment prepared for them! 

(2)

 Elsewhere tea and biscuits are served prepared from the church’s kitchen! In attendance are elders, deacons ( with their wives) men and women leaders of the assembly. 

Conversations during these meetings are more about social, community events, challenges they are facing and how they are coping. The intent is to get them to vent out their feelings and frustrations! 

1. (3)
2. Elsewhere days are set aside in the week where they assemble at the meeting house to pray and engage in fraternal tolis!  

1. (4)
2. Elsewhere the young people are encouraged to go visit and assist them in clean-ups on specific days. Women /men leaders visit them to share fellowship! 

Loneliness is a “ killer” as these elderly are deeply submerged in thoughts and challenges that they find no one to listen to and assist. 

These are a few observations and thoughts I gathered as I visited to worship with churches. I pray they ignite discussions about our elderly members. 

They anticipate and look forward to the Sunday gathering let us therefore make the “Day” one full of joy and memorable! It will take another seven days before they meet us again! . 

What do you think?