When I was a child my parents often visited my Grandparents in a small town about 20 miles from our home. There was a standing rule established by my grandparents: If you visit us on Sundays come before church and attend with us, come during church and wait for us to return from church, or wait until church is over. I remember as child attending church with my parents and grandparents in their small, village church...it was the "law"!

This single act of my grandparents has stayed with me throughout the years. Their faith was the most important possession in their lives and they made it clear to everyone else that it was so! Their attitude permeated through my parents generation and, to me. Attendance at church, though not legalistically dictated, is essential for me. As the writer of Hebrews posed it: ²⁴²⁵

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25 nrs).