Why Wednesday Nights?

by Andrew Phillips

You�ve probably heard that old joke about the line of individuals formed on Judgment Day; from the front of the line, there comes the excited, whispered concern - �They�re not counting Wednesday nights!� Even though we understand that the Biblical picture of Judgment is quite different than the jokes which often get passed around, this one still brings a smile to our face. We smile because we know the fatigue we fight to get in the car and drive to the church building as soon as we arrive home from work on Wednesday. We smile because we understand the stress of making sure children are picked up from school or practice, fed, and cleaned up before attending a Wednesday night Bible Class. You�ve probably heard statements like this one: �I already went to worship on Sunday. Why do I need to show up on Wednesday night?� Or how about this one: �Show me one scripture that commands me to be at a church building on Wednesday night!� These questions are usually asked sincerely, and they should be taken seriously. While Christians are not given the same precedent to have Wednesday Bible Classes as we are to have Sunday worship, the Elders have decided that they are a wonderful way to fulfill a command we know is Biblical - to study God�s Word. Here is why Wednesday nights are such a blessing.
Last Wednesday evening, if you arrived to class a few minutes early, you would have seen Jonathan Walker put Christ on in baptism, surrounded by his physical family and later welcomed by his spiritual family. You may have watched children pack the hallways as they made their way to class, excited to learn �Back to School� lessons about Jesus growing in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. You might have noticed several adults in the Teachers Resource Room, preparing curriculum that will be taught to Ukrainian children during a two week mission trip coming up soon. You could have heard Matt Vega share some amazing insights about the injustice of Jesus� Jewish trial. You might have spent a few moments greeting friends while preparing for our evening devotional. When the invitation was offered, you would have seen another one of our thoughtful young men, James Moore, become a Christian. You could have stood in line to hug these two new Christian young men and their family members. You would have been welcome to help prepare for the wedding of Adam Dillon and Rachel McCulloch, a celebration by a family who has been a part of this congregation for decades. You might have been able to stay after service for an impromptu Bible Class. So many people wanted to hear more, we convinced Matt to stay a few more minutes and share more material. You would have left the church building at approximately 8:45, worn out physically yet revived spiritually. With all the spiritual blessings and encouragement available, why would we spend our Wednesday Nights anywhere else?

• Invitation Song...Some Walk Down and Others Walk Out -Oct 23, 2005
• Sunday Night Service -Oct 13, 2002
• Truth or Consequences -Aug 20, 2000