Big Groups...Small Groups???

If a sense of 'community' or 'family' is important in connecting with my local church (and I believe it is very important)... How can that be achieved when my main contact is Sunday morning, sitting in rows of pews, facing one direction, with a small number of people actually participating in the service? Can community take place in this setting? Should it take place there? If it doesn't, then what is the purpose of the larger group meeting? If I experience a true sense of community meeting with a small group in my living room... Is that 'real' church? How important is it for us to meet with a larger group from time to time? Is there a unique purpose for both 'big' and 'small' groups meeting in Jesus' Name? What do you think?