Common Grounds Raleigh — Restaurant in Raleigh

As I entered New Horizon Church in Morrisville, North Carolina, I was filled with hope and anticipation for a peaceful and reverent worship experience. Instead, I was met with an unsettling scene that hearkened back to the biblical story of Jesus driving out the merchants from the temple.

Nestled within the sacred walls of this place of worship, I found "Common Grounds," a bustling coffee shop that seemed more concerned with commerce than communion with the divine. I couldn't help but recall Jesus' righteous indignation as he fashioned a whip and drove out the merchants, saying, "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Matthew 21:13)

The once hallowed atmosphere of the New Horizon Church now resonated with the cacophony of coffee machines and casual conversations, drowning out the whispers of prayerful reflection. How can one find solace and refuge in God's presence when their senses are assaulted by the distractions of worldly transactions?

I implore the leadership of New Horizon Church to reconsider the implications of allowing commerce to infiltrate this sacred space. The story of Jesus driving out the merchants serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preserving the sanctity and purpose of our places of worship. A house of God should be a sanctuary for the soul, a respite from the relentless noise of the world outside.

In conclusion, I cannot endorse or support "Common Grounds" within the walls of New Horizon Church. While I understand the desire to provide a place for fellowship and community, I firmly believe that there must be a clear separation between the marketplace and the sanctuary. Let us remember the lessons of Jesus' actions and strive to keep God's house a haven for prayer...

This is not a coffee shop, and appears to be in no way associated with the excellent Common Grounds Coffee...

Very friendly and ready to accommodate barista....