Weekly Update – October 5th, 2023
What do we mean when we use the word worship? Then, from there, if we understand what worship is, how are we supposed to worship? In Romans 12:1, Paul writes, “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” What this verse shows us is that broadly speaking, worship is a response to the mercy of God. Even still, what does that look like? Well, consider the five points below, adopted from Jamie Dunlop on what worship is and how we should worship.
First, worship is God-centered. It is our proper response to the magnificence, the splendor and majesty of God’s character—a God who is, worthy of our praise. Worship goes beyond simply knowing what God is like; it means that we take delight in the perfection of his attributes.
Second, worship is Christ-centered. We see this very clearly in Revelation 5, where the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is also the slain Lamb, is the only one in creation who can open the scroll of history. So Christ “stands in the very center of the throne,” one with God himself (v.6), and is praised as the one who was slain, who is worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals. From then on in the book of Revelation, worship is addressed “to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” Worship is no less Christ-centered than it is God-centered.
Third, worship is Spirit-enabled. Paul says it most clearly in Philippians 3:3, “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God.” In its own power, the human mind is incapable of perceiving or delighting in the excellencies of God. It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates us, gives us spiritual sight, and brings us from spiritual death to life. When we worship, we do so not by our own power, but by the Spirit’s.
Fourth, worship encompasses our entire lives. Worship is not merely singing praises to God; it involves both adoration and action. Worship does not end with what we say, but includes what we do as well.
Fifth, worship is delight in the beauty of God and of Christ. It is not delight in the experience of worship. In our evangelical culture, worship too often refers to the emotions we experience while we sing about God, and we can end up adoring that experience more than we adore God. True Christian worship involves both the mind and the emotions. Thus, if our worship of God is so emotional as to be devoid of thought—or so cerebral as to be devoid of passion—then we are not truly worshiping. True worship is both thoughtful and passionate. True worshippers worship in spirit and truth.
Worship is such an expansive topic to explain, considering it encompasses our entire lives, that entire books can be and have been written on the subject. I think these 5 points summarize what a basic definition of worship is. It is the response of dedication of our entire lives to the mercy of God, shown to sinners through Jesus Christ, who are enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit. So then, we live out our lives in worship, responding rightly to the mercies of God, and when we do this together as a church, we accomplish our mission, which is to proclaim and display the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. [Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.]" - Psalm 32:8 [9]
Announcements:
Members’ Meeting: Our regular quarterly members’ meeting will be held on Sunday, October 8th. Following the morning service, we will head to the Faith Center for a potluck lunch and then back into the sanctuary for the meeting.
Ladies’ Bible Study: The Ladies’ Bible Study for the fall will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm on Tuesdays, for the next 3 weeks. Sheryl Nelson will lead through Kelly Minter’s study on the book of Ruth.
Clothes Closet: The clothes closet will be open to the public 8am-11am on Saturday, October 14th. Please do not drop off clothes between October 8th and October 14th. If you are interested in helping with this event, please see Fran Bowman or Pat Stewart.
Women’s Brunch + Crafting: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson home for a time of fellowship and crafting more information can be found HERE.
Serving Grandview Schools
Grandview High School: On Thursday, October 26th, we will be feeding the Grandview High School Football Team. If you would like to contribute chili or a dessert, sign up in the hall. If you would like to help with this opportunity or if you have any questions, talk to Amy Blankenship. The football team will be here from 4:30-5:30pm.
Conn-West Elementary: On Wednesday, October 25th, we will be providing baked potatoes and toppings for teachers at 5:00pm. If you would like to help prepare this meal and transport it over, see Pastor Michael for more details.
Fall Festival: On Sunday, October 29th from 5:00-7:00pm, we will host a fall festival at the church. We will have trunk or treat, chili or soups, hot dogs, hot chocolate and a fire pit. Help us fill up our candy barrel before the event, and sign up in the hall to help on that night.
Missouri Missions Offering: Every year, along with nearly 1,800 other churches, our church partners to pray and give concerning the Lord’s work in our state. The statewide goal is $750,000 this year. Our church goal is $4500. I hope that you will consider praying and giving to this effort throughout this month. As with your normal offering, you can give in person, by mail or online. Just mark MMO when you do give. Check out more information about this effort HERE.
Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.
Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.
Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Wednesday Evening Activities
Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-4 meet in the nursery suite.
Grades K-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
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