Monthly Message | October

“And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.”

— Hebrews 10:24–25 (Common English Bible)

How we gather, how we come together as people, has been on my mind lately, and it’s something you may hear a good deal more about as we are fast approaching the start of a new church year and calendar year. Of course, we gather for worship, but I also am thinking about other kinds of gathering — when pastors gather together to talk and discuss issues, when people from different faith traditions or congregations come together, and when each of us gathers with others for conversation or for an event or to show support for one another, etc.

Much has been written or discussed about a “loneliness epidemic.” Whatever your thoughts are about that, I think there is a need, maybe a desire by some, for people to come together more and talk about life, share laughs or tears, and be in the company of others.

Worship provides a vital part of that. We come together to give thanks to God for all that God has given us, and we do that with others. We see each other during that time. But worship shouldn’t be the only gathering. At St. Mark, we have times to gather both before and after worship. Before is Faith Explorers (Sunday School), where anyone can come and be part of conversations or activities around our lives of faith. Once a month, after worship, St. Mark has a coffee hour (the next one is October 11), where we can just enjoy some time together and get to know one another better or catchup on each other’s lives.

Just this month, we also have our Oktoberfest meal, a screening of The Chosen, exercise classes, midweek Bible study, book club, and organizations such as Jana Marie Foundation visiting.

But gathering isn’t meant to be only at St. Mark. There are opportunities to gather with people from other congregations in the Allegheny Synod and from other congregations of the Nittany Valley Fellowship.

But gathering isn’t just meant to be only at or with churches. One thing you may hear more about in the future is a desire to have more small group gatherings that, yes, could be at St. Mark, but also perhaps someone would host a gathering in their home or meet at a local establishment. Having a few people where some are from St. Mark and others from our communities, sitting around a table or on couches and chairs talking about a certain topic, supporting one another, listening to one another.

God calls us to come together to show God’s love, call us to good deeds, encourage one another, as the writer of Hebrews writes. So for now, discover all the opportunities to gather this month, and if you have an idea for other kinds of gatherings, let me know!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor David