Weekly Update – September 7th, 2023
This week we will have a responsive reading in the middle of our service. In fact, it is placed right after our prayer of confession and will serve as our reminder of the pardon we have received through Jesus Christ. In terms of responsive readings, over the last several years, we have done everything from reading scripture together, reciting catechisms to even reading our statement of faith. We don’t do this because we are trying to create some sort of “high church” experience though. Instead, we respond or we read together during our worship service for three reasons:
First, reading responsively is biblical. Throughout the scriptures there is a pattern of God’s people responding to the revelation of himself. They respond in affirmation of his truth and in commitment to obey this revealed truth. You see this in Exodus 19:8 for example, as Israel is given the law and they respond in one voice together saying, “all that the Lord has spoken we will do.” This is the pattern that Israel follows every time they commit themselves to God’s covenant. God’s word is read and his people respond to it. In a similar way, we as New Testament believers come before the Lord in each worship service for, in some sense, a covenant renewal time, as we hear of God’s truth and affirm ourselves to him through faith in his son. Therefore as Jim Fowler says, “the biblical practice of responsive reading reoriented Israel in worship to the One True God and continues to reorient the church as Gospel truths are responded to in Worship.”
Second, reading responsively is historic. Responsive reading or singing is rooted in the practice of the early church. Beginning in the 2nd or 3rd century, you have records of the bishop or pastor opening a weekly service with a greeting and the congregation responding. Then, in the Middle Ages, there are records of responsive prayers on through the 16th and 17th century with passages of scripture being read responsively and creeds being sung together by the entire congregation. This tradition has continued throughout the life of the church. You can even find it in the back of Baptist Hymnals. Now tradition for tradition’s sake is where we have a tendency to go wrong. But tradition for the sake of connecting us with the larger body of Christ throughout the ages is of value as we remember that we are not the first generation to worship the Lord after the coming of Jesus Christ.
Third, reading responsively is practical. When we consider what worship is within the church, we ought to remember that it is our response to what God has revealed about himself to his people. That is why, for example, we sing together during our music time as opposed to sitting passively and listening. But we also respond in our services in other ways as well. We respond through the Lord’s Supper and even to a degree when we give our tithes and offerings. The same is true when we read responsively. During this time, we listen and we respond to great truths of our God and his word. This functions as a form of participation, but it also functions as a form of discipleship. When we recite truth together, we are also reciting it to one another as we teach and remind each other of our sin, God’s forgiveness through Christ and the hope we have in his return. Plus, reading responsively is a terrific witness. When others join us in worship, they see a room full of people communicating what they believe and how they will strive to honor God.
There is a purpose behind everything that we do together as a church. We don’t place elements in our service for simple fillers or to try something new. All that is done is for the purpose of pointing us upward to Jesus Christ and outward towards loving and encouraging each other. By God’s grace, we seek to be a church that honors God and his word and responds to his truth by committing to him in faith. Reading responsively reminds us and affirms this truth.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." - Matthew 5:3-6
Announcements:
VBS Fun Night: Our Vacation Bible School Fun Night has been rescheduled for 5pm-8pm Saturday, September 9th. Please see Kim McNally if you would like to help with this event.
New Equipping Class: On Sunday, September 10th, Jason Franklin will take the lead in teaching a new Equipping Class titled: Firm Foundations. This class will be taking a journey through the Old Testament with Christ at the center.
Child Protection Meeting: On September 10th, immediately following the morning service, there will be a brief child protection meeting for all childcare volunteers.
Ladies’ Bible Study: The Ladies’ Bible Study for the fall will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm on Tuesdays, beginning September 12th. Sheryl Nelson will lead through Kelly Minter’s study on the book of Ruth.
Wednesday Evening Activities: Our first night of Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling will be on Wednesday, September 13th. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm. A volunteer sheet for Awana is posted on the bulletin board.
Game Night: Everyone is invited to come for an afternoon of board games and card games 2pm-6pm Saturday, September 16th. Please bring a snack to share as well as your favorite board game or card game. See Nate Johnson for details.
Men’s Retreat: Men, mark your calendars for Friday, September 29th-Saturday, September 30th for our 1st annual men’s retreat. We will head to Rushville, MO., to God’s Mountain Camp. We will have times of teaching, recreation and lots of good food. The price is $40. Sign up in the hall this Sunday!
Home Groups: Additional home groups will be forming for the fall in the next few weeks. If you are not in a home group but would like to join one, look for a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. You can find more information about home groups HERE.
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.
Members’ Meeting: We look forward to our regularly scheduled members’ meeting on Sunday, October 8th.
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.
Other Ministry Opportunities: Over the last few Sundays, we have had members present ministries in which they are currently involved. Kerissa Breisch shared about her role with Collegiate Impact, Matt Stanwix shared about his desire to reach those in prison with the gospel, and Jason Franklin shared about his role with the Christian Motorcycle Association. If you are interested in partnering with any of these ministries, connect with those who are involved.
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.
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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