Worship Comes in Different Forms

 

Fellowship in Action

Caring for God’s House Together... Every Tuesday in August, the church comes alive—not with hymns or sermons, but with the sound of brushes, buckets, hammers, and laughter. It’s our work party, a chance for a handful of us to roll up our sleeves and care for the place that so often cares for us.

One week it might be scrubbing away a stubborn stain on the carpet, another week it’s giving the kitchen a proper clear-out, tackling the garden, touching up paintwork, or even sorting out a bit of plumbing. The jobs are many, and sometimes messy, but when we do them together, they become something more than chores.

Between the sweeping and the scrubbing, there are stories told, tips shared, and encouragement passed around. Someone remembers how their dad taught them to decorate; another tells of a recent trip out; another shares a memory from long ago. It’s practical work, yes—but it’s also fellowship in action.

The Bible tells us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23). And that’s exactly what these Tuesdays are: worship expressed in elbow grease, time given freely, and care for the house where God’s people meet.

Of course, the church building isn’t the Church—that’s us, the people—but it is where we gather, pray, rejoice, and grow together. By tending to it with love, we make it welcoming, safe, and ready for all who come through its doors.

The beauty of these work days isn’t just in a tidier garden or a fresh coat of paint. It’s in the smiles exchanged over a shared task, the laughter that bubbles up when something goes a bit wrong, and the quiet sense of belonging that comes from serving side by side.

So next time you hear about a work party, don’t think of it as “just cleaning” or “just fixing.” See it for what it really is: fellowship, service, and worship—done together, for the glory of God.

Article by Shaun Fereday,  Prison Chaplain (Sessional) & Leader @SFGH Church