This morning I had to work for several hours at my job. But afterwards, I was able to go outdoors for approximately 90 minutes, where I joined my friend Rob for a walk...
Like me, Rob is a Christian. So on this chilly winter’s day, we enjoyed a time of simple fellowship.
Then, after lunch, I went to the chapel where I gathered with about twenty other men and our two volunteer lay ministers, who drove here from New York City to conduct a Bible study class. It was a good study with a lot of interaction amongst everyone in the class. And it was a good way to spend Christmas Eve with my brothers in the faith.
Tomorrow is Christmas day. So I will probably have to do the usual "call to worship." This will involve public reading from a passage of the Bible, followed by a brief exhortation on what was read. I’m not sure just yet what I will share or what portion of Scripture will be read. But I know that, come morning, the Lord will reveal this to me. And once I’m finished speaking, our time of joint worship will begin.
Our prison church is really not much different than the church services one would find on the outside. One of our elders will open the service with a prayer. I will do my part. Then another member will make the weekly announcements. In time, our choir will begin their selection of songs. And someone else will either give his testimony or share a brief praise report concerning an answer to prayer.
Following these things will be the one who’s scheduled to preach the main message/sermon. And this will be followed by an altar call where any man who wants to accept the Lord will be invited and encouraged to do so. While those who need prayer for themselves or their family, or for any pressing situation, can come to the altar at the front of the chapel for prayer.
We are not a perfect church. I have my shortcomings, and the other men have theirs. But God is at work in this place, and He has a church behind these walls that is alive and well. Amen!
D.B.
Then, after lunch, I went to the chapel where I gathered with about twenty other men and our two volunteer lay ministers, who drove here from New York City to conduct a Bible study class. It was a good study with a lot of interaction amongst everyone in the class. And it was a good way to spend Christmas Eve with my brothers in the faith.
Tomorrow is Christmas day. So I will probably have to do the usual "call to worship." This will involve public reading from a passage of the Bible, followed by a brief exhortation on what was read. I’m not sure just yet what I will share or what portion of Scripture will be read. But I know that, come morning, the Lord will reveal this to me. And once I’m finished speaking, our time of joint worship will begin.
Our prison church is really not much different than the church services one would find on the outside. One of our elders will open the service with a prayer. I will do my part. Then another member will make the weekly announcements. In time, our choir will begin their selection of songs. And someone else will either give his testimony or share a brief praise report concerning an answer to prayer.
Following these things will be the one who’s scheduled to preach the main message/sermon. And this will be followed by an altar call where any man who wants to accept the Lord will be invited and encouraged to do so. While those who need prayer for themselves or their family, or for any pressing situation, can come to the altar at the front of the chapel for prayer.
We are not a perfect church. I have my shortcomings, and the other men have theirs. But God is at work in this place, and He has a church behind these walls that is alive and well. Amen!
D.B.
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