By: Whitney Prewitt
If left to my own devices, I would be late to everything under the sun. My internal clock usually contradicts the clock on the wall, and I always try to accomplish too many things before I walk out the door. Unfortunately, this leads to one very consistent challenge for me: arriving on time for Sunday worship.
I can be on time when I want to be! That job interview? The flight to the Caribbean? I work hard to be early for activities that seem important. Yet, Sundays are the Lord’s Day, which we intentionally set apart to gather to worship Jesus and to proclaim the gospel to one another. So why do we struggle to show up on time for what is arguably the most important activity of the week?
In order to be on time or early for worship, we have to remember why our timeliness matters!
1. Arriving early helps us participate in the full worship service. When we walk into the sanctuary late, we miss the call to worship, during which we focus our attention on the Lord and begin our worship together. We miss the first verse of the song that builds to communicate the whole gospel. Arriving early allows us to follow our leaders through the order of service, which is carefully designed to help us rehearse the full gospel throughout our worship together.
2. Arriving early equips us to prepare for worship. It often takes time to settle in and move beyond whatever happened before we walked through the doors of the sanctuary. Arriving early leaves space for us to find a pen, prep the kids with their worship supplies, open our Bibles, and settle our thoughts and emotions before the service begins.
3. Arriving early gives you time to meet guests. Most guests arrive 15-20 minutes before a service begins, so many visitors sit alone for several minutes before anyone greets them. Arriving early provides us with the incredible opportunity to welcome new visitors to our church family or to begin introducing a new friend to the Lord.
4. Arriving early provides you time to fellowship with other members. One joy of corporate worship is the fellowship before and after the service. While I might have plenty of time to visit after the service, another member may have children who need a nap or a scheduled lunch appointment. Arriving early gives everyone time to fellowship and connect before the service!
5. Arriving early allows you to serve the church well. If I’m scheduled to serve on a Sunday morning, arriving early ensures I can fulfill all of the tasks set out for me to accomplish. If I’m late, someone else may have to step in and finish my unfinished tasks. In addition, arriving early provides you with the opportunity to fill unexpected needs. If a volunteer calls in sick on a Sunday morning, you could be available to step into that volunteer role, which serves and blesses our church family.
6. Arriving early encourages your pastors, church staff, and other members. In these days of social distancing, our sanctuary usually looks rather empty! Arriving early is a significant encouragement to those leading the worship service and to other members who will get to worship alongside you. Your unhurried presence will be a delight and encouragement to your pastors, church staff, volunteers, and other members!
If you’re like me and have struggled to be early for corporate worship, here are a few ways you can prepare to be on time!
Tips for Arriving Early for Worship
Pick out clothes for worship ahead of time. If you attend Sunday evening worship, select your outfit before you lay down for that afternoon nap, or help your kids prepare their clothes on Saturday night for Sunday morning worship.
Gather all items you’ll need for church in one location beforehand. Place chairs for the overflow room, bible, notebook, pens, snacks for the kids, a water bottle, and any other supplies you may need beside the door.
For families with children, limit screen time for kids before church, eliminating the temptation for children to delay with one more show or just a few more minutes of their favorite game!
Begin getting ready 30 minutes before you would on a normal day or for a normal activity. The extra time will build in cushion for unexpected delays and will help turn your mind towards worship before you even leave the house.
Leave your phone alone. Checking your phone can be a significant distraction when you’re trying to get somewhere on time. Set your phone aside, turn it off, or discipline yourself not to spend time on it when you’re preparing for worship.
Remember the purpose of worship as you prepare. On the Lord’s Day, worship should be the priority.
Arriving early for corporate worship can be a struggle. However, arriving even 15 minutes early is a way to exhibit selflessness, serve our church family, and focus your attention on the Lord and His people on Sundays. Let’s learn together how to love our church family with an extra 15 minutes each Lord’s Day!