Preparing Your Heart for Worship - January 8, 2017
Most Christians attend church. Some more regularly than others. Why do we go to church on Sunday mornings? Do we go just because that’s what we do on Sundays, or is there a greater purpose? And when we arrive, why do we do what we do? And if we “zoom out” we have to ask the question, what exactly IS the church? What is our fundamental purpose? What is the foundation for all that we do?
While some of this will be review for some, we’ll also go a little bit deeper and expand our understanding of who we are and what we do in this series titled “Church: Reflecting God’s Character.”
I’m really excited to spend several weeks looking closely at all of this so that we can all be “on the same page” and not only love Christ more, but also love each other more, and put the gospel on beautiful display before the world.
As you prepare to gather together with your brothers and sisters in Christ, here are the songs we’ll be singing as well as some of the other things we’ll be doing this Sunday. Also, read through Ephesians 4 as well as 1 Corinthians 12. (Read chapters 13 & 14 if you have time).
Amazing Grace
After hearing about the circumstances surrounding the writing of this song, it will bring a fresh meaning to singing it together.
All Because of Jesus
The line “it’s all because of Jesus I’m alive” summarizes this song perfectly. This song is a great celebration of what Christ has done for us!
Prayer
It’s always such a joy to pause and spend time praising God in prayer.
Meditating on God’s Word
The Fighter Verse returns this week as we again commit to memorizing God’s Word together.
Offering & Offertory
We need to remember that every good and perfect gift comes from God. We also have the joy and privilege of bringing a portion of what He has placed in our care and offering it to Him as a sacrifice. While we give to God and contemplate the many things He has blessed us with our choir lead us in worship by singing about our Almighty God.
Our Choir will be singing this song during the offering. It's an amazing song about how good is to be a part of the body of Christ. It's a wonderful summary of the sermon series that starts this Sunday as well:
Our Choir will be singing this song during the offering. It's an amazing song about how good is to be a part of the body of Christ. It's a wonderful summary of the sermon series that starts this Sunday as well:
Be Thou My Vision
The best way to listen to this song is with the lyrics in front of you. This song is so rich, you’ll probably want to listen to it a few times. You can find the lyrics here: http://www.hymnary.org/text/be_thou_my_vision_o_lord_of_my_heart
We Are the Body of Christ
This new song celebrates who we are as the Body of Christ. It’s a great expression of our unity in Christ as well as how we are to serve Him.
Sermon: Church - 1 Corinthians 12:12
As we begin our series about what church is, we’ll look at three specific aspects of God’s character and how and why we are to reflect these attributes as a church. We’ll be looking at many different passages, throughout not only 1 Corinthians, but other passages as well. Be praying for me as I prepare to preach as well as our entire congregation that we would come together in holiness, unity, and love as we study God’s Word together.
O Church Arise
We’re called to engage the world with the Gospel. This song is a great celebration of that.
Silent Contemplation
We’re going to end our service with a time of silent contemplation, thinking about what God has taught us through His Word, singing, and praying together.
Prayer of Consecration
We’ll be dismissed us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!
As you spend time in prayer this week, pray for Rex and those who will be leading us in worship, as well as me as I prepare to lead us into a deeper understanding of what it means to be the Body of Christ.
Can’t wait to see you all on Sunday!
Rob
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