Featured Photo: The Church of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk on Sunday morning, October 11, 2026
Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Inspiration offers the core attitude of our worship: it is a “delight.” The Hebrew term communicates the meaning that one is very happy about the day of worship and takes exquisite delight in the activities of worship.
This term fittingly describes the attitude of the Church of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk on this Lord’s Day morning! From the moment members gather for the bus, as they enter into the building, and as they greet one another, the word “delight” aptly describes the mood.
How tragic that some do not have the “delight” in anticipating, attending, and associating with brethren in the Lord’s Day assembly! If there is no “delight” in the earthly sphere how can one expect to find delight in the heavenly sphere?
The Lord’s Day was indeed a delightful day of joyful greetings, tender words, and moments of encouragement for those struggling with critical issues. Throughout the week, we have been in study during the evenings, and visitors attended the sessions. They were urged to come and worship with the Church on Sunday, and most did!
One evening, Gif, Tanya, and I were taking a taxi to the evening’s Bible study. The taxi driver was very talkative. I asked him where he worshipped, and he said that at the moment he was looking. We invited him to come and assemble with us. We exchanged contact information and left for the class. Last night I sent a follow-up message to him, reminding him of the invitation. It was disappointing that he did not come, but maybe next week.
Last night we were walking back to the hotel, and a lady ran up to us. We have known her for many years, and she was regular in attendance. She was surprised that we were there and that the Church was still meeting. She understood that with the previous preacher leaving, the Church disbanded. After talking, we told her where we would meet to take the van to worship. She came and brought one more with her!
Gif had a good lesson completing a series on “The Armor of God.” After the worship concluded, there was a joyous period of refreshments and fellowship. As each left, they spoke excitedly about returning for the Lord’s Day worship in a week!
Next Sunday is one of the member’s birthday. He said he’s going to cook “Cossack Soup” for the Church to enjoy after the worship. It is mostly millets but has a number of other ingredients.
It was indeed a “delight.”
“Through your prayers” (Phlm 22), this trip will see multiple successes as “doors of opportunity” open (Colossians 4:3)!
Thank you for your constant prayers!
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
