Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

We thank You and give you Glory as we weather the storms of life. We ask that you are guiding each reader of this message straight into Your protective, loving arms as a Good Father would do. We ask you to be with each of us as we read this message with an open mind and understanding that we are the Church and that Your doors never close. You have given us many ways to worship You and a Savior by which You hear our cries. Continue to be with us through any storm. In Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray, Amen.

No Church service……. Why?

“Snowstorm is coming! No Church Tomorrow!” All who are regular “Church Goers” or those who have worshiped with a local church congregation for any length of time, have all received a notice like that. Whether is be snow, ice, rain, excessive heatwave, or somewhat like in our area, a hurricane etc….. Natural acts of weather can affect “Advisability” of large group gatherings. Like local school systems, many churches choose caution and safety over pushing forward with a planned activity. No one in the position to decide, wants his or her decision to be the cause of someone’s misfortune. However, as congregants of faith, some would say, should we not be fearless? Isn’t church more important than the weather? Is it right for a church to close due to “Bad Weather Circumstances?”

The First Thing we should think about or be concerned about is that NO HUMAN BEING has the power to “close” church. The church is not a building! The church is a Body of Believers.

Note all (Red ) Bible verses are from the New Living Translation Bible

Romans 12:4-5, Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Jesus declared that even the gates of Hell will not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18). We have no central temple to which we must go to, to worship. God created a new temple within the bodies of His saints.

1 Corinthians 3:16, Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19, Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

2 Corinthians 6:16, And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live with them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

We (as believers in and followers of ) Jesus Christ take the church with us everywhere we go because Christ is within us. Therefore, even when the congregation cannot meet together physically, we (they) can still worship as ONE SPIRIT. Paul spoke of being “With you in Spirit” when he could not be physically present with the “churches” he loved.

1 Corinthians 5:3-4, Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgement on this man in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus.

Colossians 2:5, For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

The Second Thing we need to keep in mind is; that when we argue that it is sinful to close the church doors for any reason, we run the risk of stepping into “Legalism.” The Pharisees of Jesus’ day had created all kinds of religious rules about worship, and my Lord Jesus Christ “Rebuked” them for it.

Mark 7:7, Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.

Matthew 15:7-9, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”

Jesus reminded the Samaritan woman at the well that the location of worship did not matter to God. The Father was seeking those who would worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! (Please read John 4:19-24 from your Bible!) Like the Pharisees, we can find ourselves getting too comfortable in our own traditions that we mistake them for God’s commands. Our instruction is that we do not neglect worshipping together…..

Hebrews 10:25, And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.

Missing one Sunday or two because of bad weather or conditions is Not Being neglectful.

The Third Thing, closing church services due to inclement weather does not mean there is no church service. In our modern age, we have so many options of worship for this day. Online, Television, Radio, and maybe just Opening God’s Word, (The Holy Bible) and reading! No Christian needs to skip Sunday Worship. We can always find worship if we are seeking it, no matter what the weather.

Being part of a Local congregation of believers is vital and important for spiritual growth. We were created to worship and fellowship with God, for and in His Glory.  Most of the letters were written to the churches, not individuals. Christian fellowship and worship are essential. God gives pastors and elders the responsibility for a specific flock (Congregation).

Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they put their trust.

1 Peter 5:2, Care for the flock that God has entrusted you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.

The flock is instructed to honor them as God’s under-shepherds 

Hebrews 13:17, Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

Sometimes, when challenges such as Bad Weather occur, the pastor and or the elders must weigh carefully the pros and cons of a temporary closing for the safety and well being of the congregation. They recognize that there will be consequences of either decision. When the leaders of a local church decide that the risks of inviting people to get out on slippery roads or that the conditions of the walks and parking lot are risky at best, it is better for God’s People to miss a worship service than to risk getting hurt. The local congregation should honor that decision and PRAY!!!!!! That God will continue to build and strengthen His Church!

Thank You Lord for blessing us with protection and wisdom. To God Be the Glory! 

In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you

May He make His face shine upon you

And be gracious to you

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you 

And give you peace