The first and third Thursdays of every month at Family of God are unlike the other days of the week. The fellowship hall that usually sits people from all over the neighborhood is now host to dozens of mothers and their babies. The sanctuary that serves as a place of spiritual healing during the week, transforms for 6 hours to be a place of physical healing and care, as doctors and nurses tend to their patients. The empty streets are flooded with the cars of volunteers from all over coming to the Luke Project 52 Clinic to serve God’s people. It is quite the sight.
We get to see all kinds of special things happening on these nights. It was on a Luke Project night, after all, when I witnessed women from our community comforting another woman who had just lost her baby. It was on a Luke night when I prayed with a man who, ten minutes before, was ready to bust out some car windows over 25 dollars. Last night was no different for God. He showed up, just in a different way. Sometimes (actually, all the time) you just have to sit back and watch/listen to God at work.
Sheila has been coming to Family of God for as long as I can remember. She grew up in the neighborhood and if you ever need any information on ANYTHING, she has her ear to the ground. She spent a number of years volunteering at a local soup kitchen and has gotten to know just about every single person that lives or has ever lived in Southwest Detroit. She is a true blessing to us!
While Sheila is not a patient at the Luke Project, she was there last night to talk about some things with Pastor Hill and me. She then asked if she could just “hang out” for a little bit. As I am working on my sermon for Sunday about what it looks like to follow Jesus, God gave me a perfect sermon illustration. A gentleman with his two nieces walked in the door and came right up to Sheila. They have been searching for places to live and Sheila sat with them at the table and talked through point by point about how they should go about it, what are the best organizations to work through, and even who to talk to! About thirty minutes later, a young woman came down from her appointment in the sanctuary and was eating her meal. She began talking with Sheila.
“Sweetheart, you can always come to church,” she said. “Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, whatever it is, this church is always here for you.” The young woman’s eyes began to fill with tears and she began to share some details about her life. Details that I am sure that have not been shared with anyone else. She felt loved and safe here at church with Sheila. As she packed up her things to catch her ride, she gave Sheila a hug and said, “Thank you, I’ll see you Sunday.”
I was reminded of why the church exists and why it is important for us to attend. The church is so much more than just a building. It’s more than a place to worship. It’s more than a place to eat. It’s a community. A community of people who love and serve their neighbors.
The author of Hebrews writes, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (10:23-25).
We gather at church to encourage one another, to love and express our faith with good works as we serve those within and around us. As the Day of the Lord comes near, encouragement from our brothers and sisters in Christ helps us stay alert and awake as we wait for Jesus to return for us and usher in the New Creation. It is within this church that we receive what God has given to us: Himself. His true body and true blood strengthen our faith, while giving us forgiveness of sins. This is where God promises to meet us. And He does. Through simple means of bread, wine, water, and words.
And people like Sheila.
Rev. Tyler Cronkright 