2022 年 2 月 12 日／13 日
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今天參與崇拜時，你會⋯⋯
周敬敏牧師
想起數年前的一次崇拜經歷，至今仍印象深刻。我在一個英語詩歌機構搜尋詩歌的時候，發現該機構正推動一個全球性的唱頌活動，藉此促進世界各地的差傳事工。他們邀請參與的教會在某一週，一同唱頌一首特別為此活動而編寫的詩歌，他們更預備了不同語言的版本，讓世界各地的教會都可以參與。剛巧當年那一週是北宣家的「福音廣傳主日」，我便在 SATpoint 帶領了該首詩歌。後來機構分享了各地不同教會唱這詩歌時的情景，雖然大家不能一同聚集，但卻能夠一同唱頌，這實在是美事。
參與線上崇拜，有不少地方會叫我們感到困惑——只有自己或最多兩三位家人參加，其實感受不到崇拜的「群體性」，況且不用更衣見人，一打開手機或電腦便可以接上崇拜的連結，而詩歌和經文亦已在屏幕上顯示出來，因此翻聖經和詩集也變得很陌生了。參加線上崇拜，容易令人往往只會從方便自己的角度出發，以為沒有人在身旁，便可以一邊吃早餐，一邊崇拜，聽完道之後便離線，反正沒有人知道⋯⋯不知不覺，惰性很快就由此衍生，令我們覺得參與崇拜只是一種責任，即使有一天實體崇拜恢復，也不會有太大動力回教會。
作為信徒，無論是線上或實體，我們參與崇拜的態度都應該是相同的：大家一同唱詩敬拜上主，一同領受聖言和教導，一同領受聖餐，一同立志奉獻，也一同領受差遣，在工作和生活中繼續見證上主。我們雖然受地域限制而不能在同一地方聚集，但各人在同一時間一同上線參與，其實也是美事。
既然參與線上崇拜的態度是與實體崇拜相同，而我們又知道有其他弟兄姊妹正在與自己一同參與，我們便須更加認真——在崇拜開始前，除了為自己祈禱外，也為其他準備參與的肢體祈禱，求神堅固大家投入崇拜的心，我們雖不能見面，也聽不到彼此的唱頌聲，但大家是彼此同在的；與此同時，我們也要堅持完成整個崇拜程序，不遲到（延遲上線）、不早退（未唱「差遣曲」便急急離線），不要以為自己是參與一個「可供選擇」的「節目」。
崇拜是上主與祂的子民相遇的時刻，我們領受上主聖道的同時，也要操練對祂的尊崇。現時教會需要進行線上崇拜，願神保守眾人的心不致懶散，反倒在祂的引導中更加竭力追求，建立更合祂心意的敬拜。
Pastor's Sharing When Attending Worship Service Today, You Will…
Rev Philip Chow
A worship experience I had a few years ago was one that I still remember to this day. While searching for worship songs at an English language music ministry, I found that they were organizing a global singspiration to promote world evangelism. They invited churches around the world to sing in a certain week a hymn specially written for the event. They prepared various language versions of the song so that churches all over the world can participate. It happened that the week was the "Evangelism Sunday" at NPAC and so I led SATpoint to sing that song. The ministry later shared footages of churches in various countries singing the song. Even though they could not gather together, they were singing in one voice. That was beautiful.
Taking part in online worship services may lead to our doubts in several areas – worshiping alone or with two or three family members, we can hardly feel the “corporate” element of the worship service. Moreover, you do not need to change clothes or see others. Just switch on the mobile phone or computer and the link to the worship service is there. Besides, the worship songs and Scripture are all shown on the screen and so opening a Bible or hymn book becomes unfamiliar. In joining online worship services, it is easy for us to approach worship service from the perspective of convenience for the self. Since nobody else is around, one may eat breakfast during the worship service and log off as soon as the sermon finishes. After all, nobody knows…. Inertia develops unwittingly and we feel that worship is just an obligation. And even when onsite worship services resume, we may not have a strong motivation to go back to church.
As believers, our attitude towards worship should be the same whether it is online or onsite: We sing to worship the LORD together, receive the holy word and teachings together, take the Holy Communion together, commit to offering together, be commissioned together and continue to testify to the LORD at work and in daily life. Although we are subject to geographical constraints and cannot gather in one place, we worship together online at the same time. That is also beautiful.
Since our attitude for attending online and onsite worship services should be the same, and we know other brothers and sisters are worshiping with us, we should be even more serious about worship – before the worship service begins, besides praying for oneself, pray also for brothers and sisters preparing to take part, that God will strengthen our hearts to be devoted in worship. We cannot see each other or hear each other sing, but we are there together. At the same time, we must persist in attending the entire worship service. Do not be late (going online late). Do not leave early (going offline before the commissioning). Do not think that we are taking part in "an event" with "options."
Worship is the time when the LORD meets His people. As we receive the word of God, we also need to practice our reverence for Him. Now that our church is back to having online worship services, may God keep us from inertia. Instead, we should pursue with our utmost, under His guidance, worship that is all the more God-pleasing.
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