Does the title "Fresh Worship" make you think?
Perhaps your first instinct conjures up negativity. You may think "Oh, I don't need any fresh worship, the worship I've used my whole life is just fine."
Maybe you like new things, and clicked the link hoping for some new worship song or technique to stir your spirit or draw you close to God.
I'm not sure I have either extreme in mind regarding the title. Instead, I hope today's article will cause you to pause and think about how you approach worship in your local church whether you attend Goss Memorial or not.
On my recent sabbatical break in April and May, I visited a number of churches. You probably wouldn't experience any shock if I said I experienced a lot of similarity. Songs. Announcements. Preaching. Some prayed more than others. Some used the Word of God more than others. People gathered and talked about family, sports, politics, and the weather. Some had communion, some baptism. Depended on the Sunday and the schedule.
I'm not here to say it's a bad thing church gatherings feel the same in many ways. In fact, I'd argue the opposite. But sometimes we humans struggle when things stay the same, don't we?
As you approach your weekend worship experience, you probably know what to expect. Does that dull your spirit and senses? Does it decrease your motivation?
If so, let me remind you there is glory in simple faithfulness - just showing up week after week to let your congregation know you're with them and for them. The fruit of God the Holy Spirit living inside us is faithfulness. Faithfulness doesn't always have to equal flashy.
Let me remind you that God's Word is living and active, and even if the sermon text for this weekend doesn't really excite you the possibility of God doing great work in you or the gathered body exists!
Let me remind you of the possibility of the celebration that can await if God chooses to answer a long standing prayer request, save a ruined sinner, or bless an unexpected visitor.
Perhaps instead of fresh surroundings, songs, or elements of worship (not to say these are always bad) we could all benefit from a fresh approach and re-freshed prayerful expectations as we gather this week and in weeks to come?
Challenges:
- Pray for your pastor ahead of this weekend.
- Pray for someone you know is struggling.
- Sit somewhere different in the sanctuary.
- Talk to someone you don't know.
- Leave your smartphone at home and carry a physical Bible.