World Cup at NCC

2010-07-06
Many of you know that the World Cup soccer tournament is taking place in South Africa these days.  Soccer is the most popular sport in Israel as well as in the rest of the world.  Many people are taking days off from their jobs in order to watch the games.  A few years ago, the games were played in a time zone that wasn't so convenient for watching, but it didn't matter.  People still woke up at 2 or 3 in the morning to watch them and then went back to sleep after they were over.  
 
During this World Cup, we were concerned that this would cause people to neglect coming to church, so we decided to invite our church family, both young and old, to join together after the worship service to watch the game together.  It was so fun to see people wildly cheering for their favorite teams, but at the same time fellowshipping in love with one another.  
 
As a church, we need to always recognize the interests of the people and to use those things for reaching out to them.  Our community is becoming more and more selfish and independent.  Everyone spends his time at his computer or watching his TV at home alone.  These kinds of activities bring people together as one body to fellowship together.  
 
 
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:1-3).