Did you miss church yesterday? Norma Jean and I did. No, we really did.
We were both hit with some kind of mysterious sickness over the week-end. Friday night was painful. You don’t want to hear about it! Saturday was a blur. And Sunday we were both as weak as new-born kittens.
The whole day was really weird for me. Not just being sick, which I rarely am. But being sick on Sunday. Being home at all. Missing worship. Not preaching. I mean we really missed it.
I missed the time of coming to the table of the Lord when we commune with him by eating the supper. Sure we could reflect at home about Jesus’ sacrifice. Think about our brethren coming together. I certainly thought about Jesus. What he did for me. And why He did it. But it was not the same as being there. Taking the supper. Together. With my brethren.
I missed being a part of the service when we join together our voices and sing praises to God. I missed the feeling produced by “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” Of “teaching and admonishing one another.” Of “singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.” There is something special about participating in congregational singing that a CD can’t replace.
I missed being led in heart felt prayers by some of our young Christians who seem to have a great sense of what it means to have a conversation with God. Sure we prayed at home. But I like being a part of that mutual time to communicate before God’s throne. Of being lead by another in fervent prayer.
I missed the time we spend together in sharing from God’s Word. I thought of the lesson that I had planned. Of the opportunity missed that cannot be replaced. I was reminded of the blessing and privilege of ministering in the Word that was denied to me Sunday. Of course, the Bible can be read and studied at home, but nothing can replace those times of public proclamation of God’s Word, whether it is in the presenting of it or the receiving of it.
I missed that special feeling of being in the presence of the Lord on His special day. I know He was with us during our illness. I know he heard our prayers. I know He knew our concerns. But there is a special sense in which we “come into His house” on Sunday. I missed that.
I missed the fellowship of each of my brothers and sisters at the Hickman Mills church. I missed the handshakes and the hugs. I missed the encouragement and edification of being together. Suppose that’s one reason we’re commanded to assemble? (Heb. 10:24-25). We do stimulate one another to love and good works.
As the day went on, I wondered what do people feel who frequently miss services? Does the day seem less when you miss? Does it seem unnatural? Do you feel a certain emptiness? Do you realize how much you need the fellowship and encouragement of your brethren?
Well, I’m better this morning. And I sure hope we don’t have anymore sickness like last week-end! Either on Sunday or any other day!
And I pray that those who miss worship a lot will think about what you’re missing. Or if you don’t have a church home, find a place to faithfully, scripturally and regularly worship God with other Christians. If you do, I think you will find that something has been missing in your life!
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
So sorry to hear how sick you guys were. Glad you are better today. If it was the stomach type flu, it’s been going around here too. We, fortunately have excapted it so far. Thank goodness. I here it is awful!!!!
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Hey Barbie! Thanks! We are better this am…not 100% yet, but better. Hope you don’t get it either…no fun!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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HOpe you are both on the mend. I missed last night myself but only because I was with my husband of 58 years in the hospital. He fell Monday and broke his left hip, put a big gash in his head. Gonna be a long haul at this end. Elsie
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Elsie, so sorry to hear about John. Give him my love. Pray that he is able to mend and have a good recovery.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Hey, Ken.. This is quite possibly the best lesson I have heard on missing the gathering of ourselves together with the Lord on His day. I remember vividly those days in Palmetto, when we could put aside the world and rejoice in the Lord with each other, as Christians the world over should be able to do. What a blessing we have in Jesus!
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Thanks, Bill! I apprecite it. Yes, there are some really fond memories of our days together in Palmetto
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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I meant to add the usual “sorry to hear you guys were sick”, and mean that sincerely, but there is something more pressing, for one who serves in the Gospel, and is deprived of rendering his service. Hope you are both up and running well soon, if not now.. Bill
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Sounds like you had conaminated food.
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It does, Herb. Hmm, may be fodder for another post
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Well written!
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Thanks!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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sorry you guys were so sick glad to hear you’re better
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Thanks, Vicki
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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HOPE YOU HAVE 2 BATHROOMS —–SO VERY SORRY – GET WELL
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We do! And thank you, Billie! And we are!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Good morning Ken – Terri Griggs from Vivion Road here. I just returned from a mission trip in Jamaica and believe it or not that same bug is going around there as well. We had several children and adults that even ran 100 degree and above temps but still were drivien to come to VBS and (without giving it a thought – not only share THE WORD but the germ as well. We all fared find though.) I am so glad you and your wife are feeling much better!
I agree with the comment above on what a wonderful synopsis of Sunday participation/attendance you provide. However, I have to ask myself, what is ‘amiss’ in one’s life who doesn’t experience the emotions, the feelings of togetherness, or even comfort in coming together with the saints on Sunday? In conversations with others I find some attend because they feel they HAVE TO but others attend because they WANT TO or even NEED to for their own sake – they need the closeness with Our Lord – they need His nearness to help them through life and yet they DO NOT experience or feel the emotions you have shared above. such as where you say – I missed the handshakes and the hugs. I missed the encouragement and edification of being together.
I just wonder why that is. Hmmmm food for thought.
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Thanks Terri Glad you made it back safely and had a good trip I appreciate your kind words and your food for thought….maybe fodder for another post! Thanks for reading my blog and sharing it with others at Vivon Rd.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Ken,
We missed you and Norma Jean too. Hope you are about up to full speed.
William
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Thanks William! We’re getting there!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Ken,
A little late in responding to this, as I’ve been perusing your posts, (and enjoying the approach you have to each subject). This one gave me a thought; perhaps you have dealt with it in previous posts (haven’t read them all). Regarding the things you listed as “missing” because of sickness…I thought of the possibility that those same things could be ‘missing’ even though physically present in worship. When there is dissension among brethren; or within family members who attend the same congregation…those type of situations, you know? I know the difficulty of ‘wholesome’ worship when the principles of Phil. 2 (on humility) etc. are not present. This post is helpful for dealing with ‘divisions’, and promoting reconciliation among brethren. God bless your efforts!
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Thanks, Roger! I appreciate you reading my blog and taking the time to share your thoughts. I think you are exactly right…and might be fodder for a future post. Again, thanks!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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