Wednesday, May 20, 2026

        "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25)

        Five out of our seven grandchildren are involved in organized baseball, this summer. As of today, they are all enthusiastic and passionate about their participation. They can't wait to get to the ballpark for their games or even get to their weekly practices. Playing ball is one of their favourite things to do. They hate to miss a game or even a practice. That has not always been the case. Ther have been moments when they were very reluctant to leave the house, like on a cold, snowy Sunday afternoon to go to curling or a dance class But right now, their enthusiasm and keenness is .at a high level.

           It is a daunting, parental challenge to get all the kids to their games and practices. Two of the boys are on travel teams and therefore have to get to tournaments outside their city, almost every weekend. Extra duty for mom and dad. But all the parents have to juggle schedules and make sacrifices to ensure their children get to where they need to be. They seem to do this with their own enthusiastic support. But they  also have told their children that if they ever  do not want to play the sport anymore, for whatever reason, they won't be forced to continue. They can quit and no recriminations.

            There was an article in  The Globe, this week, about a mother who had to deal with her daughter quitting soccer and how to deal with it. She wrote about the dilemma of wanting her children to follow through on t heir commitments and commented on the one hand a-but not wanting to force her daughter to do something she doesn't want to, on the other hand. Issues like enjoyment and a basic level of competence play a part.  It is also helpful when w  expose our children to different  ranges of activities, sports, experiences. Variety is good and saves burnout from just being in one sport. 

            But it has made think of  the challenge of getting our children to go to church. I don't know how many times I have heard an adult tell me that the reason they don't go to church is because a parent forced them to go when they were young. They usually add how boring church was or how long the sermons were. Once they became teenagers and had a choice, they stopped going. I remember that as a pre=adolescent, I wasn't allowed to play house-league hockey on Sunday mornings; church came first.

            Or what about the parents who say they will let their children decide about religion when they get old enough, although they never expose them to any faith-based community to begin with? The choice has already been made for them, really.

            But really, is there anything new under the sun? Apparently, the church to which the epistle to the Hebrews was written was dealing with people who were ducking out on worship, neglecting to meet together. Remember the Parable of the Banquet where the invited guests made up excuses  so they wouldn't have to attend? “Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses." (Luke  14:13)  

        We all have excuses for not attending church. Weather, Stayed up too late the night before watching double overtime in the hockey game. Creaky, old joints. Guest preacher. For me, right now, it is just so much easier to stay at home and watch the service the internet and enjoy a second cup of coffee. It is far more convenient. I don't ask myself whether or not I encouraging anyone. Am I missed? On the other hand, I can well remember how I felt when I looked out at my congregation and saw a lot of empty pews. It was quite discouraging.

        Our presence matters. Our fellowship with others matters. Our effort into community building matters. Our being in the company of fellow "saints" matters. We rub off on each other.. We encourage each other. We pray for each other. We support each other. We comfort each other. we are stronger together than apart. I get a wholly different vibe when I attend a service in person than when I simply watch on-line. I wish that my church was closer than it is but that too is just an excuse. We Christians, need one another. And if that means, that we must make an extra effort, or that we rise to the obligation or that we make it part of routine, no matter what, then that is good.

        Hebrews 10 is a call to persevere under the circumstances of our lives.  Christ did not quit in his mission to make things right between God and ourselves. "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, (10:23) We have been blessed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins. That is worthy of our attention. That call for our devotion. that even demands our faithfulness. "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (10:  35 -36)

        

            Or what about the parents who say they will let their children decide about religion when they get old enough, although they never expose them to any faith-based community to begin with? The choice has already been made for them, really.

            But really, is there anything new under the sun? Apparently, the church to which the epistle to the Hebrews was written was dealing with people who were ducking out on worship, neglecting to meet together. Remember the Parable of the Banquet where the invited guests made up excuses  so they wouldn't have to attend? “Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses." (Luke  14:13)  

        We all have excuses for not attending church. Weather, Stayed up too late the night before watching double overtime in the hockey game. Creaky, old joints. Guest preacher. For me, right now, it is just so much easier to stay at home and watch the service the internet and enjoy a second cup of coffee. It is far more convenient. I don't ask myself whether or not I encouraging anyone. Am I missed? On the other hand, I can well remember how I felt when I looked out at my congregation and saw a lot of empty pews. It was quite discouraging.

        Our presence matters. Our fellowship with others matters. Our effort into community building matters. Our being in the company of fellow "saints" matters. We rub off on each other.. We encourage each other. We pray for each other. We support each other. We comfort each other. we are stronger together than apart. I get a wholly different vibe when I attend a service in person than when I simply watch on-line. I wish that my church was closer than it is but that too is just an excuse. We Christians, need one another. And if that means, that we must make an extra effort, or that we rise to the obligation or that we make it part of routine, no matter what, then that is good.

        Hebrews 10 is a call to persevere under the circumstances of our lives.  Christ did not quit in his mission to make things right between God and ourselves. "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, (10:23) We have been blessed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins. That is worthy of our attention. That call for our devotion. that even demands our faithfulness. "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (10:  35 -36)

Prayer:

Our ever -patient God,  help us to be mindful of our need to interact with you and with other believers. May we be a source of encouragement, compassion and support within our faith communities. but we be present to you as you are always with us. We pledge our faithfulness and witness to  the cause of building your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Aamen.