What fun I had last night! I was able to go to Rocky’s annual event, Rocky at the Farm. Our church family and friends went to a local pumpkin farm and had some good, old-fashioned fun. It was a blast!

I went to help out with face painting. I told them I was kind of artistic and so, I was wrangled. No, it wasn’t that bad.

I painted super hero logos, sports balls, princesses, butterflies and animals. And here’s the good news. I only made one little one cry (poor thing…I felt so bad, but her mom said she was fine…I can imagine she’ll never have her face painted again…such trauma!).

So apart from this one little incident, it was a great evening. The weather was perfect. There were lots of Rocky folks around. Add some blue-grass music, a fire pit, a cake walk and a corn maze and you have great mix for fun!

Part of being in God’s kingdom is community with fellow believers. Whether it’s in small groups or worship services or Bible study or sharing a meal or events like Rocky at the Farm, when believers get together, community flows.

We are given this example in the Book of Acts with the early church. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47 – NIV)

Why would they do this? For community. For encouragement. For support. For their enjoyment. These are reasons we gather together today, isn’t it?

It’s no wonder we’re reminded in Hebrews 10:25 (NIV), “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

It’s easy to get out of the habit of getting together with fellow believers. But just remember what it is like when you are together. Remember how encouraged you are by others. Remember the benefits. And then get back in community! Get to a worship service, small group or Bible study. Call that friend who you’ve been missing.

Get connected and stay connected. You really don’t want to miss all the fun do you?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna