While I have only been a part of NHFC for a short time, I have already come to cherish the special nature of our Mid-Week Bible Studies. Our groups meet every week here in Dallas and on the Westside. I love going to be with every group and have found that each group has some unique and endearing qualities. During our Sunday morning assembly, we usually remind everyone to be sure and take advantage of this great opportunity. But here at NHFC we have it good! It seems to me, after attending these wonderful groups for a while, that the combined attendance at the small group’s level sometimes is at least equal and may often exceed the attendance on Sunday morning. If this is a problem, it is a great problem to have!!
On the occasions I get to go and visit the Westside, I am especially reminded how dedicated and devoted our Westside/Commuting members have to be, (especially in the era of $4.00 a gallon gasoline) to drive to Dallas every week (and often more!) A number of our folks live many miles from our Church building (mostly west) and it really warms my heart to get to spend time on Sunday with people who have gotten up extra early, driven for an hour or more, and spent a chunk of change filling up their gas tank just to come and be with the rest of us. Those of us who live close by are grateful to those of you who come so far every Sunday to be a part of our assembly.
For some of us, Sunday morning is about a three hour time commitment (from Sunday Bible Study through lunch together after the assembly). For those who live far away, that turns into a five or six hour time commitment and sometimes more. Our time together is precious and fun and I don’t sense that many people at NHFC show up out of a sense of duty. In this congregation, I sense a spirit (and The Spirit) of joy in being together. People who are unable to come are disappointed when something prevents them from attending. But while our time together is a time of joy and happiness, I rather doubt the long commute some of our folks make back and forth is quite as joyful! To those who make that extra time, effort and spend extra funds to be a part of our Sunday gatherings, here is a shout out (and a more traditional “Thank You!”) to all our NHFC commuters!! We love you and honor you for the extra commitment you make in order to be here on Sunday. It makes our Sunday assembly just the more special when all God’s children are able to be together.