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Viewpoint from Rev Nigel Lacey 20/09/2024
 Rev Nigel Lacey,
Rector of Hopton, Corton, and Gunton
Do you wonder what goes on in church? What strange things happen there and what do they actually do?
The core activity of the Church is to offer worship to God
I suppose what I am trying to get at is that we need an inner peace, in order to grow as human beings. We come with all our failings and concerns, all of our lives, and offer it up to God. Who is well able to take it all on board? In an often mad world, worship is counter cultural
 A Church is a gathering of flawed and hurting people who come to God. As someone once said we are ‘one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread’
We will always be flawed but we try to become more like Christ. This isn’t easy and nobody pretends that it is. We place our pain, and the pain of others, into the hands of Jesus, who is alongside us, and who brings us to God
Coming along to Church is also a way of bringing the needs of others and holding them before God
Worship is something we do together. Each of us will have different ways to God. Some like their worship noisy and exuberant, others worship in quietness. All is of equal value and much depends on who we are. We interact with one another. Each with a part to play and a contribution to make.
 Churches vary in their ‘style’. This might be the silent worship of the Quakers, or the noise of a large and lively charismatic congregation. Both are good
We also go through phases when life seems bleak and worship just ‘doesn’t work for us’. At those times we might just have to rely on the prayers of others.
Christ is as much present in a small country church as he is in a large cathedral or a lively congregation. Even an empty church can become a place where we enter into the presence of God
Everything we receive from God in worship is grace. We do not deserve anything on our own merits. It is all up to God
Why not give Church a try sometime? You might be surprised!
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