WHY WORSHIP?
God commands us to worship. Worship is not optional for the Christian. God commands that we gather to hear God’s Word, to sing hymns of praise, and to lift our prayers to God. Worship is THE PLACE where the family gathers each week. God expects us to be there.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF WORSHIP?
Translation: What is in it for me?
In worship we hear the stories of our faith. In worship we hear of a God who loves us, even when no one else does. We hear words of forgiveness and are invited to start over bathed in God’s Grace.
But there is more. In worship we gather as a community. We discover that we are not alone. We are surrounded with real people and real families. We become a part of something larger than ourselves. The community is there to help us as we raise children, bury our parents, survive divorce, grow old, and face our own death. It is God’s desire that we would live in relationship with Jesus and with a community of faith. To that end God commands us to worship.
IS THERE MORE TO BEING A CHRISTIAN THAN JUST WORSHIP?
Yes, we are called to Worship and Service. Christianity was not meant to be a private affair. Christianity is not all about me and God. Jesus taught that we are to love and serve our neighbor. This Christian service happens at home, at school, at church, in the workplace, and in the public square.
WHERE DOES SUNDAY SCHOOL & CONFIRMATION FIT IN?
Our Youth programs have two goals: to teach the faith and traditions to our children and to help them grow into adulthood in the church. Sunday School and Confirmation are secondary to Worship. If we want our children to be a part of the church when they grow up, then we have to teach them how to worship and serve. We must model the faith for them by worshiping with them. If children only go to Sunday School, then the odds of them staying connected with the church after the Sunday School years are close to zero.
I WANT MY CHILDREN TO BE A PART OF THE CHURCH WHEN THEY GROW UP. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Worship with them. Model worship and a Christian life of service for them. Introduce them to other adults in the church. Make faith a topic of conversation at your dinner table. Your children will not learn Christianity on Facebook, in school, online, or on TV. They have one chance, and that is you. So take the time, make the time, share your faith, put God ahead of soccer.
Worship with your children.
God will bless your decision.
See you in church!
Pastor Jim
