Church Alive January 3, 2011 Issue

The following was written in support of Church Alive, a new focus of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, that explores the meaning and possibilities of awakening to the spiritual basis and impact of Church—to Love’s rich harvest awaiting our communities and the world. 

Staying awake

By Brenda Evers

When my children were small , I constantly battled sleepiness during church services. Try as I might, I could not be alert. I felt justified because I had often been up at night with my children. Also, having read and studied the Christian Science Bible Lesson all week, I couldn’t see the benefit of listening to it in church. But I knew that those were only excuses. I knew the drowsiness had more to do with my not recognizing the purpose of church services.

My sense of church became enlivened. I felt more of a connectedness to Christian Scientists everywhere.

I did have a deep desire for progress, so I listened for God to provide an answer. I continued studying the Bible Lesson daily, as well as reading Mary Baker Eddy’s writings and her biographies. The answer did come—in the form of something I read under the subheading “Prayer in Church” in the Church Manual: “The prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 42).