If you are reading this, then you are in online worship.. What? No, it’s true you came to our web page and are wondering about something – maybe it is in-person worship time maybe it is how to contribute in works or money to our mission, maybe you are seeking something more in your faith but all of this is a worshipful, faithful act.

In the New Testament book of Acts there is a passage that describes online worshiping. Are you surprised? OK, it doesn’t actually mention the internet but what it does do is tell us how we should share the Good News and where we should share it. Here is the text for Acts 1:8 from the New Living Translation version of the Bible.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

…And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Everywhere to the ends of the earth. You see? Back then you would have to get out and walk to the next town, to the next village, along a long and dusty and dangerous road just to share the Good News but now, you can do this through the computer or smartphone, you can do the same as the disicples did, the same as Paul did when he travelled. You can spread the Good News.

Online Worship vs. ‘Real Worship’

It becomes obvious that however the Holy Spirit empowers us to share the words of Christ is worship. Suppose you work on Sundays or have to care for a loved one and cannot attend ‘real’ worship. Suppose you have to go and find a quiet place and log into FaceBook, or YouTube, or our webpage so you can join in worship. Does that make it any less ‘real?’ No, what makes it real is your desire to be there in worship, your desire to pray together, to listen to scripture, perhaps even to sing.

How can you connect to an online worship community?

If you find it challenging to come to in-person worship on Sunday’s how can you stay connected to others? There are ways to participate in church life even online. You can send your prayer requests to be included in our prayer chain or in our worship services. You can join our online fellowship time Tuesdays at 10am through Zoom. You can sign up to help our United Methodists Women Group baking pies or our Crafty Ladies group on one of their projects. You can share the link to our website or a favorite sermon or service with a friend. You can ‘like’ our services or leave a positive comment on our Facebook page. You can contribute to our ministry through an online donation (click here or fin the Online Giving link above). You can reach out on the phone and call someone just to see how they are doing. All this is part of our faith community. You can even join one of our groups that help manage the church, even if you are remote since most of our meetings are now hybrid (meaning in-person and on Zoom).

Join us in Worship

However you can, online, in-person, a mix whatever way you can and then share that with someone you know who needs to hear again the Good News and feel a part of an active faith community.