In Acts 20 we read about Paul’s travel to Troas where he stayed seven days, apparently desiring to be present on a Sunday (first day of the week) so he could worship with the local church. In Acts 20:7, Luke writes that Paul and those with him (we) assembled with the church to observe the Lord’s Supper (break bread, plural). It appears the church gathered toward the end of the day or in the evening since the text says that Paul preached until midnight when the assembly was interrupted by a young man falling out a window. Paul ate (break bread, singular) and talked until daylight. It may be that he resumed preaching, but the change of verb suggests that he and the Christians at Troas simply spent time together in less conversation (although the verb is where we get our word ‘homily’).
Today as I assemble to worship with yet another part of God’s extended spiritual family, I am thinking of this text. I have traveled and arranged my schedule for the specific purpose of spending time with this church on this Sunday. An important part of the assembly will be the opportunity to surround the Table and remember together the death and resurrection of Jesus. I will preach and report on what God has been doing through the ministry of his servants during the past year (but not until midnight).
When I travel, I miss my spiritual family at home. But I never tire of getting to know more of my brothers and sisters in places I have never visited. I never tire of returning to renew relationships and worship with brothers and sisters I see infrequently in my mission travels. I enjoy the challenge and renewal of spending time with God’s family around the world. It’s Sunday again–God’s people around the world will come together around the Table to break bread.
During my time in full-time local church ministry, I remember some members who were hesitant to assemble with the church in other places when they were on vacation or traveling. I always encouraged them to find God’s family and enjoy the freshness of the experience. Sunday is about God–some still refer to it as the Lord’s Day. Sunday is about others–sharing and encouraging and edifying. That means that worship is both vertical and horizontal. Worship includes the mutuality of admonishing one another in song, praying together, communing together in the Supper, giving and receiving blessings, and sharing God’s Word as the body of Christ. It’s Sunday again–thank you Lord for the opportunity to be with my extended spiritual family around your Table.