The services of the Church of Christ, Scientist, fundamentally consist of readings from the Bible and from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. These pure messages of Truth, when earnestly received, heal physical and emotional difficulties. When we understand the true potential of our church services, we strive to prevent whatever would cloud or obscure this healing mission.
How can we build a strong defense for our church services? Mrs. Eddy says, "Evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes cannot go forth, like wandering pollen, from one human mind to another, finding unsuspected lodgment, if virtue and truth build a strong defence." Science and Health, pp. 234-235. In another place she writes, "Stand porter at the door of thought." Ibid., p. 392.
Couldn't we see ourselves as porters—as alert guards standing at the door of thought throughout the service? Couldn't we guard our own consciousness carefully in order to see that matter-based thinking does not enter in during the service? And couldn't we see ourselves as entertaining "angels," as in Mrs. Eddy's definition in Science and Health: "God's thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality"? Ibid., p. 581.
