Small But Mighty Worship

So much of the news we are receiving in the aftermath of the weekend ice storm is out of Toronto, and justifiably so. The city has been hit hard and hundreds of thousands are without power. That said, a great many communities were affected, including Belleville. It meant that many churches closed in those communities, some as a precautionary measure, others because there was no heat nor light. It's not what congregations wanted on what is often one of the busiest Sundays of the year, but we live in a northern clime.

City churches are often in more of a quandary as to whether to open on a stormy Sunday. We hope that our folk will be sensible and stay home if necessary. Yet we are often able to be a worshipping community despite the weather because crews have been at work through the night.

Yesterday I was up before six with every expectation of cancelling our service. After I shoveled our driveway I decided that I might as well try to get out of our cul de sac and brave the major roads. They proved to be in decent shape and when I arrived at Bridge St. Church a member was hard at work shoveling the steps and walkways. I joined him in the effort and then the ploughing service arrived to clear the drive. Our music director Terry showed up early as well, and we agreed that we would move worship to the chapel for whosoever showed up.

In the end there were forty of us, hardly a mighty throng, but the choir sang, a family lighted the Advent wreath, a member led us in the prayers of the people. We contracted everything so worship was only forty minutes in length, but we sang carols and heard scripture and, yes, I preached a message on the love of Christ. Afterward nearly everyone stayed and visited and ate.

This could have gone very differently if circumstances had been slightly more severe, but in the end I was so glad we came together. There was a special spirit (Spirit?) to our worship and I went home content. One of the upsides is that there were a number of visitors in that small band of worshippers and we could show hospitality on a blustery morning. And several of our folk had never been in the chapel and appreciated the intimacy of that setting.

What do you think of the "small but mighty" approach to continuing with worship during inclement weather? What have been your experiences? Were you with us Sunday?