An invitation to worship...
Even If It Snows
December 5, 2025
Good Day College Church,
When the Apostle Paul was giving instruction to his apprentice Timothy about how to lead the church, one of the first things he mentioned concerned the reading of Scripture. This is what the Apostle wrote: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to teaching and preaching." (I Timothy 4:13)
It sometimes comes as a surprise to those of us who can read and who have such easy access to Bibles, that the Bible was not originally written to be used as a book for personal devotions. On the contrary, the Bible was originally written to be read out loud in the congregation of God's people. This was the original intention for three reasons. First of all, for most of human history, most people couldn't read. If people were going to learn the Bible, it would only be because they heard it being read. Secondly, for most of human history, personal Bibles weren't available. It has only been in the last 200 years or so that people could own their own Bibles.
But the third reason is the most important and it is hard to describe but readily experienced. There is an authority in the written Word being spoken among God's people that is different from the written Word simply being read. Speaking the written Word out loud brings a reality to it that can't be replicated in the private silent reading of scripture. Again, this is better experienced than explained, but I'm thinking it has something to do with the creative power of the spoken Word of God. God spoke all of creation into being after all.
It is for this reason we read Scripture in church. We believe that Paul's instruction to Timothy is applicable to us. As Pastor, I too should be devoted to the public reading of Scripture, just as Timothy was.
It is also for this reason that we are reading Scripture in the sanctuary at 7:30am and 12:30pm Monday through Friday during this season of Advent. There is an inexplicable authority to the Word when it is read out loud, whether it is during the week or on a Sunday.
I encourage you to experience the power of the Word being read in the quiet of the sanctuary this season of Advent. It really is a worthy preparation for the celebration of the coming of the Lord.
And this Sunday, we will hear the Word proclaimed through the children of the church. They will be presenting the Christmas musical, "The Carol of the Toys," and I am confident that you will be not only delighted, but moved by the message of Christmas coming to us through our kids.
See you Sunday, and perhaps even on a day during the week!!
Pastor Mark
Good Day College Church,
When the Apostle Paul was giving instruction to his apprentice Timothy about how to lead the church, one of the first things he mentioned concerned the reading of Scripture. This is what the Apostle wrote: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to teaching and preaching." (I Timothy 4:13)
It sometimes comes as a surprise to those of us who can read and who have such easy access to Bibles, that the Bible was not originally written to be used as a book for personal devotions. On the contrary, the Bible was originally written to be read out loud in the congregation of God's people. This was the original intention for three reasons. First of all, for most of human history, most people couldn't read. If people were going to learn the Bible, it would only be because they heard it being read. Secondly, for most of human history, personal Bibles weren't available. It has only been in the last 200 years or so that people could own their own Bibles.
But the third reason is the most important and it is hard to describe but readily experienced. There is an authority in the written Word being spoken among God's people that is different from the written Word simply being read. Speaking the written Word out loud brings a reality to it that can't be replicated in the private silent reading of scripture. Again, this is better experienced than explained, but I'm thinking it has something to do with the creative power of the spoken Word of God. God spoke all of creation into being after all.
It is for this reason we read Scripture in church. We believe that Paul's instruction to Timothy is applicable to us. As Pastor, I too should be devoted to the public reading of Scripture, just as Timothy was.
It is also for this reason that we are reading Scripture in the sanctuary at 7:30am and 12:30pm Monday through Friday during this season of Advent. There is an inexplicable authority to the Word when it is read out loud, whether it is during the week or on a Sunday.
I encourage you to experience the power of the Word being read in the quiet of the sanctuary this season of Advent. It really is a worthy preparation for the celebration of the coming of the Lord.
And this Sunday, we will hear the Word proclaimed through the children of the church. They will be presenting the Christmas musical, "The Carol of the Toys," and I am confident that you will be not only delighted, but moved by the message of Christmas coming to us through our kids.
See you Sunday, and perhaps even on a day during the week!!
Pastor Mark