Reason #21 why going to church this Sunday is the best plan: BECAUSE SOMEONE INVITED YOU… AND YOU WANT TO GO ANYWAY.  When I was 14 years old I got invited to church for the first time.  I was a bit unsure at first, but I was also curious.  When I went, I was mildly surprised to find a bunch of kids that were fun to be with and were genuinely nice.  I also quickly learned that they put a lot of thought into what they were thinking and doing.  They really loved God and were striving to work out their faith in a heartfelt way.  Looking back, I’m so glad that someone invited me to come!  Maybe someone has invited you to go to church recently and you’ve put it off.  You know, you should just go and discover.  In the Bible, the person who was famous for inviting someone was Andrew.  It says in John 1:40-42, “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.”  We get really busy in our American culture.  Sometimes we get so busy we don’t have time for God.  Now is a really good time to change that.  Stop saying YES to the busyness and NO to God.  Go with a friend to church… OR, if no one has invited you recently, go make a NEW friend this Sunday.

Reason #20 why going to church this Sunday is the best plan:  BECAUSE IT WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO PRAY FOR OTHERS AND BE PRAYED FOR YOURSELF.  The Bible says in James 5:16… “…pray for each other so that you may be healed.”  No man is an island – we all need the help of others.  And we especially need the spiritual support of people who care about us.  Church is the absolutely perfect place for that.  At our church people can ask for prayer through our “Welcome Card” process on Sunday mornings.  It’s easy.  You can share your name if you wish or stay anonymous.  Sometimes we have an “Open Altar” time of prayer where you can pray for others or ask God for His mighty inward strength.  Beyond that, we have dozens of small groups in our church where people pray for one another on a regular basis.  Praying for each other is so important!  The Bible says in Colossians 1:9… “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  At our church we also have a prayer team that meets mid-week to pray for the needs of the people in church.  We take it very seriously, asking God to bring His strength and comfort and help.  Jesus said that His house should always be “A HOUSE OF PRAYER.”  (Luke 19:46)