For a long time, it has been obvious to anyone that attendance on Sunday nights is significantly lower than Sunday mornings. There are certainly many legitimate reasons why someone might not be able to come back for a second worship service. For example, some members are elderly and are not able to drive at night. Others might have to work evening shifts on Sundays. However, the decision is often made simply because a member doesn’t feel an obligation to attend a second service.
We likely are familiar with the Scriptural reasons for attending all gatherings of the saints. When the Hebrews writer wrote, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25), he did not specify a number of times a week. The implication is that faithful Christians should prioritize every meeting of the saints when feasible. So, why then would a Christian choose to miss time with their brethren? Perhaps they just don’t know what they’re missing. Here are just a few things Christians miss out on when they skip Sunday evening service.
First, they miss out on deeper Biblical study. In our congregation, our elders have noticed that Sunday evenings are an opportunity to dig into more complex Bible subjects. So, if you miss a Sunday night sermon, you are likely missing out on a truly intriguing and uplifting message from the Scriptures you wouldn’t get in a morning sermon.
Second, they also miss out on sharing the Lord’s Supper with those who can’t attend morning services. In our day, it is impractical for many to keep their job and attend morning and evening worship. This is one of the main reasons our congregation has two services to begin with. Attending in the evening allows us to commune with these members in the remembrance of our Lord’s death in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11:18-22. No one is left hungry.
Third, they miss out on more congregational prayer and singing. In Romans 15:5-6, Paul exhorted the church, saying, “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Prayer and song unites us in purpose, doctrine and supplications. Is once or twice a week enough time for us to spend praising God together? On the contrary. We need as much as we can get!
If you haven’t been to a Sunday evening service in a while, I assure you–you don’t know what you are missing!