What is Worship?

Palm Sunday provides a great opportunity to ask the question, "What is Worship?"

On Palm Sunday it is easy to get caught up in the excitment and the drama of worship. Everyone is waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna!" In the midst of the excited crowd, it was easy to cheer and worship this king who came into town riding on a donkey. Even now, centuries later, we still get excited about waving Palm fronds and shouting "Hosanna!"

Worship certainly is celebration. But, as we worship God, we realize that there is much more than simply celebration. We see as the rest of Holy Week unfolds, that worship also involves listening, following and upholding God's word (think of Jesus' acts in the Temple). Worship also means serving others (Jesus washed the disciple's feet). Worship means spending time in prayer and keeping watch over friends who are in trouble (Garden of Gethsemane). Worship meanss that we, like the "beloved disciple" need to stay close to Jesus when everything else seems to be going wrong.

Worship is celebration for all that God has done, but worship is so much more. True worship happens through the way we live our lives.

How can we be more intentional about living and worshiping in God's presence this week?

Blessed to be a blessing...

"We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." -
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

This week's theme is Christian Service. We are going to share the stories of some of those who faithfully serve our church. I love the above verse because it shows how Paul encouraged his congregations in their service. Paul believed that "whatever we do, whether in word or deed" we should "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)

So, this week, as you go about your normal average daily jobs, ask yourself:

How am I serving God through this job?
How can I give thanks to God through my work?

I pray that you may be able to find special ways to serve God this week.