Featured Photo: The Lord’s Day worship in the Church in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Vova is speaking about Communion, the biblical reasons for its weekly observance, and what the emblems memorialize.
NOTE: The photos shown in this report (and all other communications) are NOT to be forwarded or published in any way! The environment and censorship requirements mandate that I make this point.
The text framing this report is Psalm 84. Psalm 84 expresses the joyful excitement at being able to go to worship. Its memorable phrases highlight the joy of those with a like faith assembling to worship the Almighty. Read it and embrace the wonderful attitude and expectant blessings of corporate worshipping assemblies.
“My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God… (Blessed) Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise… (Blessed) Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion…O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer…a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.” And then the climactic exclamation, “O Lord of hosts, (blessed) happy is everyone who trusts in You!”
The joy and happiness we experience when we go to meet God in the company of God’s people described in Psalm 84 is a treasure. People with their hearts and minds set on God come to worship feeling that one day spent in worship, in God’s presence, is better than 1,000 days spent elsewhere.
There is an incomparable value of being in the place of corporate worship with God’s presence for even the shortest time. The Psalmist says that just being a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord is amazing!
A significant point reveals that genuine “happiness” in worship is found ONLY as one “trusts in God.” ONLY as one puts aside Self and leans upon God’s directives for corporate worship can lasting happiness be found. A failure to do this forces constant “changes” and a rejection of the “old, tried and true ways.”
These sentiments of Psalm 84 came to my mind as I look back at the Lord’s Day activities in Ivano-Frankivsk. It is a wonderfully indescribable blessing that is planned every first day of the week!
The joy begins when we walk to the stops where members wait for the van to transport them to the building. Smiles, hugs, embraces, and delightful conversations are spontaneous.
Upon arrival at the building, the greetings continue from those who have arrived and greet the new arrivals. In every word, embrace, and attitude, the happiness of Psalm 84 is mirrored.
The corporate worship, commanded by God and patterned by the New Testament Church, involves all in the assembly, and that involvement brings the soulful happiness described in Psalm 84.
Among those in the assembly today were several visitors. These have been working with Gif in many actions—sorting and distributing humanitarian aid to the frontlines, studying English from a “native speaker,” and other activities that are important to the folks here. This is the salt, light, and leaven principle! Or as Paul observed, one plants, another waters but only God is able to give the increase!
Two significant memories stand out…
A ten-year-old boy was attending. His command of the English language is amazing. He told me that this was “his first worship.” He discussed the sermon with interest and said that he really enjoyed the message.
A lady attending remarked how impressed she was with the simple worship assembly. She specifically said that she had never heard any explanations for why various actions are a part of the worship. In the Orthodox Church, the people stand and go through the rituals. They have done this all of their lives and have no idea what they are doing or why they are doing it (see the Lord’s comment on such worship in Matthew 15:9). Such “worship” rejects the biblical pattern and fuels emotionalism.
The assembly ended well, and the Church had a fellowship meal. The men grilled chicken, pork, and sausages as well as different vegetables. The gardens are producing; the fresh vegetables are delicious, and the watermelons are sweet!
We also celebrated Tanya’s birthday with a delicious blueberry cake and another cake with berries and angel food cake!
Another expression of the joys of worship is found in Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’!” Churches today are plagued by people coming for other reasons—duty or obligation or habit or pride or a desire for emotional feeding; the list goes on. But such was NOT the situation in Ivano-Frankivsk July 12, 2026!
Again, I ask you to remember my trip in prayer with the Apostle’s request in Ephesians 6:19, “(O)n my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, P.O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109
