It has been a busy week!
Someone said to me, "this is like your Superbowl weekend, isn't it?" And, indeed it was! There are so many things that happen during Holy Week. A Thursday service, a Friday service, a 24-hour Prayer Vigil, a Sunrise Service, an Easter Breakfast, and finally the Easter worship service. And, in addition to all of that, there was extra time spent with my family.
All of it was time well spent. I had an incredible Holy Week and Easter this year. It was exciting to see so many participate in the prayer vigil. I think that was one of the things I was most nervous about. I wondered, would we really be able to fill up the time slots? And the answer was yes!
I think that the whole week made me realize that during busy weeks and hectic schedules it is most important to remember that we do not do this on our own power, or for our own glory.
I heard many affirming comments about the Good Friday service, and while I did spend time planning who would read, and what songs we would sing, I really did not do anything to create a great service. The thing that made the service great was the fact that God spoke to people's hearts. And again with the Prayer Vigil. If it was helpful and meaningful, it is was so because God was speaking. And that is something that can never be manufactured by the pastor.
Holy Week reminds us that we need to work together as the Body of Christ. When we come together to plan a service, God speaks powerfully. Even more, Holy Week reminds us to stop and listen to God speaking.
May God continue to speak to you this week, and always... Amen.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
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?
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?
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