Regarding the Sunday 5/22 Service

We had a perfect storm of circumstances that resulted in an atypical worship service this past Sunday. Prior to becoming the pastor at Harmony PBC, I had several external appointments on the calendar that I cancelled upon accepting the pastor call… save one. As it turned out, that one appointment (filling in for Elder Harvey so he could preach a meeting at Winter Garden PBC in Florida) occurred on the one Sunday that Elder Phelan was sick and unable to preach. This resulted in an unprecedented event, at least to my recollection over the past 11 years, a Sunday service without an Elder in attendance.

The Lord Will Provide

Nevertheless, by the testimony of several with whom I have spoken, the Lord provided for His people. Brother Murray Draper stepped up to provide orderly oversight of the service which consisted of singing, reading Psalm 1 and Psalm 100 and providing commentary, prayer requests, and praying. Brother Randy Rogers also addressed the congregation regarding the uniqueness of the Christian love that we have for one another. It is truly not a thing of this world.

These Things Happen

When I mentioned at Point Remove that this was going on back at Harmony, they recounted how they have had to resort to this at times due to similar circumstances. It made me aware of how blessed we have been in that regard. I believe this is part of the reason that the Lord’s NT church is to have a plurality of Elders, because it greatly decreases the occasions that require special accommodation. Other churches I know have been often faced with this approach as they have been unable to find elders to pastor their churches for some time.

Call to Action

Weeks ago I issued a “call to action” and I cannot help but think that our God, who moves in mysterious ways, may have permitted circumstances to compel us to action. I am thankful for brother Murray’s and brother Randy’s example and willingness to address an evident need. I know it “rattles one’s cage” to find out on a Sunday morning that you may have to do something you had not officially prepared to do, especially when that involves public speaking. I believe those who were there to see how this was handled were blessed to see that love of which Randy spoke in action in a display of how the body of Christ works together to deal with the unexpected. Those who were not there? Well, they missed something special, even as those who miss church OFTEN miss the special blessings that are only found in the assembly of God’s people.

Such blessings are there for his people to partake of and profit from. Don’t believe me? “Come and see.” (John 1:39)

- Elder Daniel Samons