A VIEW FROM UP FRONT
It often takes me by surprise, the joy I see on your faces when we sing together at Sunday worship. When leading the song service, my mind is busy with a hundred details… order of service, order of songs, words, repeats, endings, keys… they crowd my thoughts.
But each time we sing together, I see you, yes you, worshipping. I see it in your faces, raised hands, expressions, closed eyes, wide eyes, wonder, tears… and myriad other expressions. And your worship pulls me in, causes technical details to fade as my eyes are drawn heavenward. I think joy is contagious. Your joy ignites my joy. Our joy ignites joy in others. Joy comes when we worship our Lord and Savior.
Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23–24). God seeks our worship! It matters to Him. I imagine Him smiling, maybe even tearing up a bit, when He receives our true worship. Perhaps our joy comes from His joy when He knows that our spirits are striving to align with His Spirit, that He is the focus of our hearts’ desires.
Worship is an expression of adoration and reverence, reserved only for God. In worship, we submit to Him in humility and surrender as we seek to align ourselves with His will. Worship comes from our spirits and involves our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and is expressed in a lifestyle response to God, not just music at church. It includes daily loving God by living according to His Word, the Scriptures, and aligning our hearts and emotions with Him as a result.
That said, I think music brings special focus to our worship. Consider the Psalms! They convey thoughts and feelings that many of us are unable to access on our own, yet God has given us this marvelous resource to help us express our hearts to Him. So we worship, and we sing. We sing together. We sing with our hearts drawn heavenward. And we share our joy in worshiping and serving the one true, living, loving God.
Ministry Minute
FACILITIES
Deacon
Many have inquired about what is needed at the parsonage or what assistance they can offer as we prepare it for the Middlekauffs.
Over the years, this Church family has been incredibly generous in donating furniture to the parsonage for the last few families that have resided there. Thank you for your unwavering support!
As we conclude the preparations for the Middlekauffs, we now find ourselves with an abundance of furniture that requires a new home, as they will be bringing their own belongings.
Before donating these items to a charitable organization, I would like to pass them on if you or someone you know is in need of furniture. If you are interested, see the photos here and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, and I will be happy to provide you with a list of what is available.
We currently have:
• 2 couches
• 2 living room chairs
• Recliner
• Large sectional
• End table
• Coffee table
• Piano
• Desk with drawers
• Dresser
• Nightstand
• Kids’ 2-person desk and chairs
• Full bed
• Twin bed