If you Google "Second Baptist Church of Dover," you will most likely come up with a Wikipedia article explaining that it is a historic church building which was erected in the 1830's, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. While this is all true, it is only the beginning of the story.
The Second Baptist Church of Dover is historic, but it is also alive today. It has been open for services continually since the 1830's, a distinction that many churches cannot claim. Far from a dusty old relic, it is a vibrant community. It's members come from different backgrounds, and different walks of life, but have come together in this place to worship together and to try to follow the example of the disciples in Acts 5:42: Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
The good news is that Jesus is the Messiah. He is our Savior, and is ready to save all who will come to him. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." In this busy, hectic world we live in, rest is something that is hard to come by. It seems hard to add yet another commitment to your week, but I would encourage you to make time for Jesus. He goes on, in verses 29 and 30: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Of course, it is possible to spend time with Jesus wherever you are. You can pray and worship by yourself, and most Christians will tell you that they do this regularly. But there is something about being with other people, and praying and worshiping together, that helps you to find that rest. I know that when I am at home, I can always find something that needs "doing." But when I spend time away from the daily grind, in a place that has been put aside for worship, it is much easier for me to let the other things go for a while and just rest in Jesus.
If you find yourself near Dover Plains, New York, please stop in. Our information is on the website at sbcdover.org. We offer several opportunities for worship, prayer, and learning each week. We invite you to join us, to come and learn more about Jesus, and to find rest for your souls.
(*All scripture was taken from the NIV. You can read this version for free on Bible Gateway*)