Thoughts: The Church does many things to practice its unity. Gathering for worship, unified reading, sharing in giving, singing, prayer, passing of the peace. This is the practical side of unity unspoken at a Christian worship service.
Simply gathering together is an act of purposeful and important unity. This is a unity that is missing in cyber church. While there may be some excitement in seeing a large number of hits at once to a site, it is not the same as rubbing elbows, looking someone in the eye. Cyber gathering is safer. There is no danger of catching the flu, or hearing a baby cry, or smelling someone with bad breath. But, there are some things well worth the gathering. Where two or three are gathered together in my name- there am I in the midst of them- Jesus said.
Unified reading is a uniting the voice of the church around one common reading of God's Holy Word. It is not just united voices, but it is also listening to a common voice. The Holy Spirit speaks when the people of the Spirit join together.
The people of God give to the Lord together as a part of their worship of the One who provides all things. Part of worship is giving to those in need- and that begins first with the people of God in that house. Unity occurs when we lend each other a hand.
Singing is not restricted to the people of God, but rarely do the people of God who worship Christ not sing at all. Harmony is a melding of voices around a common theme.
Prayer is the lifting up our hearts to God together. It is not just talking to God, but lifting up hearts. Again in Matthew 18 Jesus indicates that praying together is much more important than praying individually. We are called to agree in prayer (Mt. 18:19) and then God will listen to our prayer. We find God's will when we agree together. The unity of believers is ever-so close to the will of God. While we may pray over the phone, or say we will pray via email or text, it is not the same as praying together, united in will to God's will.
Greeting one another is another thing underestimated today. As part of the fellowship of the Church, the apostle Paul said, "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Romans 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26). Greeting, touching, is an important part of the fellowship (koinonia) of the church. Such a touching implies togetherness.
Throughout worship there is a togetherness. It is a lifting up our little lights (as in a candle light service) to the One light of the world.
Prayer: May my light shine for you, O Lord. May my light join other lights to make one brighter light that glorifies you together.
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