We’d lived in Washington County about a year, and I secretly wondered if there would be a church for my father, who’d retired from his pastorate in Franklin County. Dad had no doubts God would provide when the timing was right. When will I ever learn?

Four years ago a stranger knocked on his door one evening in July and asked if a retired pastor lived there, and if so, would he be willing to speak at the West Lubec Methodist Church in August. Dad said “yes and yes.” We scoped out the church the week before he was to speak, to get the lay of the land, and found the people to be friendly and kind.

After preaching the next Sunday, Dad was asked if he would be willing to fill in for a while. He said, “Of course.” What a treasure we found, or should I say, God found for us! We were embraced with open arms; it felt like coming home. I mentioned this to a woman I was working with, and she said, “Oh, that’s the kind of church it is. Like a close family.” She was right.

That, to me, is what a church is about – we’re all a part of the family of God. I don’t understand why anyone would deprive themselves, body, soul and spirit, of such a special blessing. They don’t know what they’re missing. Where else can I get such great fellowship and joy to start the week? People to pray with – and for – each other; to share one another’s burdens, and lighten the loads?

If someone is sick, you can see the progress of a card making its way through the congregation for everyone to sign. Food miraculously appears at your house, along with offers to run errands, pick up needed items from the store, or drive you to appointments.

A while back I read a blog post where the writer bemoaned the lack of commitment in believers these days. Someone had told her it wasn’t worth the effort on Sunday mornings to get up and dress up for only one hour, when she could sit on the couch in her grubby clothes, watch a television preacher, and get just as much out of it. The writer replied that she was glad Jesus hadn’t decided it wasn’t worth it to go to the cross for the salvation of mankind.

Recently a member of our congregation read a piece about a man who decided, after 30 years of attending church, he’d had enough. He’d heard many sermons, but couldn’t remember a single one of them. He felt he was wasting his time, and that pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.

One gentleman responded, “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. For the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this … They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!” (Thank you, Helen.)

Christianity is like life – you get out of it what you put into it. If you simply occupy a pew for one hour a week but focus your thoughts on the ballgame, work projects, vacation plans, etc., you’re not going to experience any spiritual growth or connection.

But if you put your heart and soul into the message from God’s word; if you listen and encourage your fellow believers; if you fill your mind with the things of God, you’ll experience a joy and peace that passes all understanding.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Being part of a church family is all about unconditional love, warts and all. If God loves us so much, he sent his only son to die for our sins, how much more should we reach out, unconditionally, to those around us?

This Sunday begins our fifth year at WLUMC, and we’ve been blessed exceeding abundantly above anything we could ask or think. Thank you, Milo, for reaching out to us. God bless you.

Brenda J. Norris is assistant Sunday school leader and choir director at the West Lubec Methodist Church. She may be reached at bdnreligion@bangordailynews.net. Voices is a weekly commentary by Maine people who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.