How to prepare for this Sunday:
1) Wake up early Sunday morning and stretch
2) Eat a small warm-up food like a banana or an apple
3) Wear your pants with the elastic waistband
4) Bring your coffee travel mug to reduce trash and refill trips
5) Bring a bib
This Sunday is one of our favorites of the year. We call it "P3: Preaching, Praise, and Pancakes," and we're excited to share it with you! We'll be serving hot, fresh, fluffy pancakes all morning long (starting around 8:30) so come ready to partake.
I can't think of a better way to either start or finish a morning of corporate worship, so don't forget to prepare for the rest of the morning:
Starting with a two-song, refocus-our-worship-gone-astray-throughout-the-week set with the tunes "Nothing but the Blood" and "That's Why We Praise Him." An old hymn focused on the sacrificial death of Christ symbolized by his blood, followed by a contemporary response to Christ's life, death, and resurrection!
Then Pastor Todd will come lead us in prayer for the morning, and he'll give the usual welcome to visitors and give us a few seconds to run around a greet people with a hug and a handshake.
We'll pick the music back up as we sing from the Psalms about the love of God enduring "Forever," then focusing in on that love displayed through the death of Christ to make us his sons and daughters with "The Father's Love," and right into the infinite power of that love to break the powers of sin and death with "Stronger."
Pastor Todd's gonna bring us God's Word from Ephesians 6:13-18 which you can read by CLICKING HERE. It's the passage about the armor of God, and if you've already watched our "This Sunday @ Crossroads" video blog, you heard Pastor Todd and I talk about the importance of taking the time to dress ourselves spiritually for the battle that rages all around us! You also heard me say that the worship songs we lift to God in praise are actually helping to fortify that armor as it reinforces the truth of scripture in bite-size melodies and choruses that can come back to us quickly in times of need. If you haven't watched the video blog yet, just CLICK HERE.
We'll bookend the sermon with the song "Friend of God" as we realize that God has provided this armor to us because we are no longer at enmity with him! We put on the armor to combat the spiritual enemies that surround us (pride, lust, the world, Satan, etc.), but what a glorious truth that we no longer are enemies of the all-powerful and victorious God! We are not his enemies, but his friends! He has brought us into his household as adopted sons and daughters even!
So that's what's happening this Sunday. It's a BIG week, so don't miss it! Prepare to come eat, praise, and study God's Word with us together, and you'll be blessed! Happy prep!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Preparing for Worship: May 16th, 2010
Another Sunday gathering is almost upon us! Sometimes the week feels long enough between Sunday services that I wish we had another service in the middle of the week, and other weeks it seems like I barely put my guitar away and then I have to take it back out for rehearsal the next week!
This has been one of those whirlwind weeks filled with meetings, video projects, recording, and "Etc." It was especially busy for our Ministry Assistant, Rachel, whose grandmother passed away the previous week; and she was taking care of a number of things for the memorial service this past Thursday, which she said went very well.
It's been a week of trial and triumphs, of pain and of praise, and I love the way that the body of Christ comes together to share in all of the above with each other. I often remember a cutesy saying from a magnet my mom had on our fridge that said: "friendship doubles our happiness and divides our sorrow." What an important biblical concept! The body of Christ is called to rejoice in each other's joys and cry with those who are hurting; may Crossroads be a place of that kind of community!!
We'll lead off with two really great tunes that loudly proclaim our new life in Christ because of his atoning death on the cross: "Alive in Christ" and "Jesus Paid it All." The new life we have in Christ is the whole reason we are able to gather and offer a pleasing sacrifice of worship to God at all. Without Christ's blood we are DEAD in our sins, and to quote Pirates of the Caribbean: "Dead men tell no tales." Nor do they offer due praise to almighty God! So take this chance to live out that new life you've been given and come sing and worship with us!
We'll take a few moments to do our usual housekeeping stuff: welcoming everyone, especially visitors (we LOVE visitors!); committing our time to God for his glory and our edification; and saying a quick greeting to one another.
Then we'll sing a couple of tunes that help prepare us for the topic of the sermon text for the morning. "Let God Arise" is a song that comes from the book of Psalms and focuses on the invincible might of God; that when he arises, his enemies are scattered and he reigns forever! Then we take that thought and apply it to the day and age we live by understanding that God rules over nations, and states, and cities. That Valencia is God's city, and he has a perfect plan for this city that will glorify his great name. "God of This City" sings confidently that greater things are still to be done in our city to lift high the name of our Lord!
Then Pastor Todd will come and teach us from God's Word; from the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. He's talking about the battle that rages all around us; the nature of that battle and how we can prepare ourselves to stand firm in the strength of the Lord. CLICK HERE to read the text we'll be studying this week and allowing the Spirit to apply to our lives in ways that honor and please him.
Then we'll land the plane with a song of victory from Psalm 62 entitled appropriately..."Psalm 62" that we can take with us and remind ourselves that God is our everlasting, never-failing fortress in time of spiritual warfare.
So that's what's going on this week; hope to see you there! Happy preparation!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Preparing for Worship: May 9, 2010
I love celebrating holidays on Sundays because I think holidays mean so much more in the context of God's sovereignty. I mean even the word "holiday" is a derivative of the phrase "holy day" which dates back to the 10 commandments telling us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Crazy huh?
So Mother's day is always the second Sunday in May, and celebrating and appreciating moms as a wonderful gift from God is so appropriate. Families and mothers alike get the chance to reflect on God's goodness displayed in the person of "Mom."
For some, Mother's Day is a sad reminder of moms who've passed away, or a would-be mom who's had difficulty conceiving. We certainly don't mean to stir up painful emotions or memories, but again, we understand the gift of mothers and motherhood in the context of the sovereignty of God. We understand and give thanks for God's perfect plan at work in each of us and our families and we grieve with those who grieve at this time of the year!
I thought we'd change up our worship band a little for the special occasion, and so I've put together a "boys only" group for Mother's day to serve all the gals and mothers of Crossroads. We're strapping on a bunch of acoustic guitars and changing up the sound of some of our well-known songs and we hope it's a blessing to you, and most importantly, to the heart of God.
Pastor Todd and I have started something new that we hope you'll find helpful: a "This Sunday @ Crossroads" video blog that you can find on the Crossroads home page. CLICK HERE to watch the video and find out what to expect this Sunday.
Okay, welcome back. So here's a snapshot of the morning:
We'll begin with a couple of songs to jump start our worship time together: "The Father's Love" and "Eternal Praise," which are both great songs to get us focused on the Lord and on the hope of eternity with him that we've been given through Christ.
Then Pastor Todd will come pray and welcome everyone, and then we'll have a quick plug for an upcoming Women's Fellowship event that I believe is called "Tasty Treats and Testimonies." That definitely sounds like a name for a women's event. I would love to listen to an announcement for a Women's activity that's called something like "Cage Fight" or "Armageddon Ball." I suppose we'd have to even it out with a Men's event along the lines of "Candles of Care" or "Flowers and Feelings." Hmmm, those are some pretty good titles; I think I should email them to Beth Moore for her next DVD series... ;)
After a quick greeting, we'll continue our time of worship-through-song with a couple of songs that really teach us about the personal and intimate relationship we're intended to have with Christ. "Perfect Savior" is about how Christ was the perfect fit for every need we had as lost, hopeless sinners, and how he died the death we deserved. "Draw Me Close" reminds us that our relationship with Christ, as any relationship does, involves experiencing and feeling his presence in our lives through the Spirit. It's a song that teaches us to trust that his strong and loving presence surrounds us always.
Then Pastor Todd will preach a special Mother's Day message from Luke 10 (CLICK HERE to read the passage) that will speak to mothers (and anyone!) who feel like they're invisible sometimes to the people they love. We need to remember that our work and efforts are seen and appreciated by the one who sees everything: God. That our work is not for those around us, but for him.
We'll close up our time with the tune "Glorious and Mighty" securing the knowledge of God's omnipresence and his careful eye into our minds with a soaring melody of God's greatness.
That's what's going on; prepare well! See you Sunday!
So Mother's day is always the second Sunday in May, and celebrating and appreciating moms as a wonderful gift from God is so appropriate. Families and mothers alike get the chance to reflect on God's goodness displayed in the person of "Mom."
For some, Mother's Day is a sad reminder of moms who've passed away, or a would-be mom who's had difficulty conceiving. We certainly don't mean to stir up painful emotions or memories, but again, we understand the gift of mothers and motherhood in the context of the sovereignty of God. We understand and give thanks for God's perfect plan at work in each of us and our families and we grieve with those who grieve at this time of the year!
I thought we'd change up our worship band a little for the special occasion, and so I've put together a "boys only" group for Mother's day to serve all the gals and mothers of Crossroads. We're strapping on a bunch of acoustic guitars and changing up the sound of some of our well-known songs and we hope it's a blessing to you, and most importantly, to the heart of God.
Pastor Todd and I have started something new that we hope you'll find helpful: a "This Sunday @ Crossroads" video blog that you can find on the Crossroads home page. CLICK HERE to watch the video and find out what to expect this Sunday.
Okay, welcome back. So here's a snapshot of the morning:
We'll begin with a couple of songs to jump start our worship time together: "The Father's Love" and "Eternal Praise," which are both great songs to get us focused on the Lord and on the hope of eternity with him that we've been given through Christ.
Then Pastor Todd will come pray and welcome everyone, and then we'll have a quick plug for an upcoming Women's Fellowship event that I believe is called "Tasty Treats and Testimonies." That definitely sounds like a name for a women's event. I would love to listen to an announcement for a Women's activity that's called something like "Cage Fight" or "Armageddon Ball." I suppose we'd have to even it out with a Men's event along the lines of "Candles of Care" or "Flowers and Feelings." Hmmm, those are some pretty good titles; I think I should email them to Beth Moore for her next DVD series... ;)
After a quick greeting, we'll continue our time of worship-through-song with a couple of songs that really teach us about the personal and intimate relationship we're intended to have with Christ. "Perfect Savior" is about how Christ was the perfect fit for every need we had as lost, hopeless sinners, and how he died the death we deserved. "Draw Me Close" reminds us that our relationship with Christ, as any relationship does, involves experiencing and feeling his presence in our lives through the Spirit. It's a song that teaches us to trust that his strong and loving presence surrounds us always.
Then Pastor Todd will preach a special Mother's Day message from Luke 10 (CLICK HERE to read the passage) that will speak to mothers (and anyone!) who feel like they're invisible sometimes to the people they love. We need to remember that our work and efforts are seen and appreciated by the one who sees everything: God. That our work is not for those around us, but for him.
We'll close up our time with the tune "Glorious and Mighty" securing the knowledge of God's omnipresence and his careful eye into our minds with a soaring melody of God's greatness.
That's what's going on; prepare well! See you Sunday!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Preparing For Worship: May 2, 2010
"Worship is the gift of participating by the power of the Spirit in the incarnate Son's communion with the Father." ~ James Torrance
This quote is a great summation of understanding the role that each member of the Trinity plays in our redemption and our worship. How amazing that Christ's redemptive work for us on the cross is done, but that even now he sits at the right hand of the Father forever proclaiming us as justified! "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous." 1 Jn 2:1
The Spirit is alive in the hearts of the redeemed and on a daily basis directs us in righteousness, convicts us of sin, illumines the truth of Scripture, and helps us know how to apply it to our lives. In the corporate worship setting, he molds our hearts together in biblical unity, and gifts us to encourage each other in the Lord. It is a privilege to be a part of the supernatural sculpting and crafting of the body of Christ by the Spirit, and I hope it's a privilege for you as well.
It's with this view of the Spirit's power and work that we'll invite his active presence and submit ourselves to his leading and purpose by singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" which asks the Spirit to:
-tune our hearts to sing of God's grace
-teach us the melodious sonnets of the angels
-lead us safely to our heavenly home
-bind our wandering hearts to God
-seal our hearts for the courts of heaven above!
That's a pretty hefty list! I think of the lists that my wife will leave for me, and in comparison I have it EASY. As you practice this tune in preparation for Sunday, consider what the Spirit may want to do in your heart and ask him to go to town!
Then Pastor Todd will come and echo that song's sentiment as we pray for our morning that God would be honored by our time and that he'd teach us and mold us a little more into the image of his Son.
Next we'll sing the new song I posted earlier this week called "Eternal Praise" and go right into "How Great is Our God." Check out the video for Eternal Praise so you can practice it and be able to sing it with us Sunday; plus I made the video myself!
Then Pastor Todd will continue to teach from his mini-series "The Haustafel" as we steadily plow through the remainder of Ephesians. He's on part four this week and it's the section that addresses slaves and their masters. Since slavery is illegal in our day and age, many have found it helpful to apply the principles taught here to the employee/employer relationship. CLICK HERE to read the passage this week and ask Pastor Todd why the Bible never condemns slavery...
After the sermon we'll share the Lord's Supper together, remembering the sacrifice of Christ on the cross; how he offered us a new covenant in his blood! This is sort of a solemn and meditative portion of the service, but it's also very meaningful as we consider that he was put to death for the sins of each of us. During communion we'll sing "Once Again" to help us connect heart and mind as we thank Christ for the cross.
We'll close with "The Stand" recalling our new life and freedom because of the cross, and we'll commit to stand, arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all for us. Announcements and a prayer of blessing as we give our tithes and offerings and we'll call it a day! That's what's going on, so happy prep!
This quote is a great summation of understanding the role that each member of the Trinity plays in our redemption and our worship. How amazing that Christ's redemptive work for us on the cross is done, but that even now he sits at the right hand of the Father forever proclaiming us as justified! "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous." 1 Jn 2:1
The Spirit is alive in the hearts of the redeemed and on a daily basis directs us in righteousness, convicts us of sin, illumines the truth of Scripture, and helps us know how to apply it to our lives. In the corporate worship setting, he molds our hearts together in biblical unity, and gifts us to encourage each other in the Lord. It is a privilege to be a part of the supernatural sculpting and crafting of the body of Christ by the Spirit, and I hope it's a privilege for you as well.
It's with this view of the Spirit's power and work that we'll invite his active presence and submit ourselves to his leading and purpose by singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" which asks the Spirit to:
-tune our hearts to sing of God's grace
-teach us the melodious sonnets of the angels
-lead us safely to our heavenly home
-bind our wandering hearts to God
-seal our hearts for the courts of heaven above!
That's a pretty hefty list! I think of the lists that my wife will leave for me, and in comparison I have it EASY. As you practice this tune in preparation for Sunday, consider what the Spirit may want to do in your heart and ask him to go to town!
Then Pastor Todd will come and echo that song's sentiment as we pray for our morning that God would be honored by our time and that he'd teach us and mold us a little more into the image of his Son.
Next we'll sing the new song I posted earlier this week called "Eternal Praise" and go right into "How Great is Our God." Check out the video for Eternal Praise so you can practice it and be able to sing it with us Sunday; plus I made the video myself!
Then Pastor Todd will continue to teach from his mini-series "The Haustafel" as we steadily plow through the remainder of Ephesians. He's on part four this week and it's the section that addresses slaves and their masters. Since slavery is illegal in our day and age, many have found it helpful to apply the principles taught here to the employee/employer relationship. CLICK HERE to read the passage this week and ask Pastor Todd why the Bible never condemns slavery...
After the sermon we'll share the Lord's Supper together, remembering the sacrifice of Christ on the cross; how he offered us a new covenant in his blood! This is sort of a solemn and meditative portion of the service, but it's also very meaningful as we consider that he was put to death for the sins of each of us. During communion we'll sing "Once Again" to help us connect heart and mind as we thank Christ for the cross.
We'll close with "The Stand" recalling our new life and freedom because of the cross, and we'll commit to stand, arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all for us. Announcements and a prayer of blessing as we give our tithes and offerings and we'll call it a day! That's what's going on, so happy prep!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
New Song: "Eternal Praise" by Enfield
I'm excited to teach this tune to you this week from the band Enfield with whom I have had the privilege of playing at the Resolved Conference for the past two years. The song was written by my friends Ryan Foglesong and David Zimmer specifically for the album "O For That Day" which is an entire album of songs devoted to the theme of heaven. The album has been a blessing to me and many others as it has helped cultivate in us a desire for the sinless perfection and joy that we'll experience when we either go to be with the Lord through death or he comes again in glory.
Here are the lyrics:
What joyful thoughts doth heaven bring;
where righteous ones will worship Thee?
No sadness, fear, or suffering;
but joyful cries to the King of Kings!
What sacrifice the Father made:
to crush the Son who bore our shame,
Yet raised him up that glorious day
to give us hope and a holy name!
O praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
who wrote, with blood, our eternal praise!
Let the nations of the earth proclaim:
Hallelujah!
"O praise the name of Jesus"
our song forever shall be.
Let the anthem of salvation
be the song that we shall sing.
What deepened wounds have saved our souls;
what blood that washed our sins of old!
What precious hands have ransomed men
and brought us to Himself again!
What hope is in our heavenly home,
where we will bow at our Father's throne,
And walk with Him on streets of gold
and kiss the Christ we long to hold!
Behold the city of the King: hallelujah!
His glory is the air we breath: hallelujah!
Since there were only partial clips of us playing this tune at Resolved, I recorded a simple video to help you learn the tune. Check it out!
Here are the lyrics:
What joyful thoughts doth heaven bring;
where righteous ones will worship Thee?
No sadness, fear, or suffering;
but joyful cries to the King of Kings!
What sacrifice the Father made:
to crush the Son who bore our shame,
Yet raised him up that glorious day
to give us hope and a holy name!
O praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
who wrote, with blood, our eternal praise!
Let the nations of the earth proclaim:
Hallelujah!
"O praise the name of Jesus"
our song forever shall be.
Let the anthem of salvation
be the song that we shall sing.
What deepened wounds have saved our souls;
what blood that washed our sins of old!
What precious hands have ransomed men
and brought us to Himself again!
What hope is in our heavenly home,
where we will bow at our Father's throne,
And walk with Him on streets of gold
and kiss the Christ we long to hold!
Behold the city of the King: hallelujah!
His glory is the air we breath: hallelujah!
Since there were only partial clips of us playing this tune at Resolved, I recorded a simple video to help you learn the tune. Check it out!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Preparing for Worship: April 25, 2010
Another Sunday is around the corner and it's another opportunity to bring our offering of worship to the Lord with the community at Crossroads. As we do so, it's also an opportunity to reap wonderful benefits: being refreshed by the fellowship of believers, being reminded of Christ and the gospel through the songs we sing and the scriptures we study, encountering the Holy Spirit in a unique way as he works in both the heart of the individual and the heart of the congregation as a whole.
We shared a spectacular time together last weekend as we hosted The Children of the World. My wife and I chose a child to sponsor after their concert last Sunday night, and each time I walk by the fridge and see her picture I am reminded of the command of Jesus to look after widows and orphans, and how so much of the world lives in extreme poverty. I appreciate the message of World Help (the sponsoring agency of the Children of the World): Just start with one. The problem of poverty and not enough clean water is a daunting mountain, but it can only be climbed one step at a time.
I hope that events like that and our times together each weekend are causing growth in each of our lives. We must beware of complacency that would relegate the corporate gathering of the body of Christ to "just another activity." I'm praying hard today that the Spirit would stretch us and grow us because we are faithful to meet for prayer, praise, and preaching (also: pancakes next month on the 23rd...). Let's strive together to make each time we're together a profitable one through prayer and preparation...
We'll take a few moments to corporately ask God's blessing on our time as we offer it for his glory. I know that sometimes this part can feel programmatic and "liturgical" (same thing, same way, same time, every time), but I really think it's the most appropriate time to do it since we've taken some time to really settle our minds in to worship. We need God's Spirit to be active within each of us during this time otherwise we're just putting on a show. It's the Spirit that does the real work through the various aspects we participate in together. This part of the service is a fundamental exercise in submitting to God's authority and the Spirit's power, so pray hard!
Then we'll get to greet each other and welcome visitors (DON'T skimp on that second part!!), but again, in the Spirit we're greeting with purpose: affirming each others' faithfulness in being there, encouraging participation and unity, and offering a loving smile or hug.
Next we'll jump into a few more songs: "In Christ Alone" and "God of This City" that will help prepare us for a time of individual and corporate prayer for the folks we wrote down on our "Strive for Five" cards. If you've still got that card somewhere at home, try and bring it with you for this time. If you don't know what "Strive for Five" is, it's a church wide exercise in prayer and witness to unbelieving family and friends. You can pick up a card where you fill in the names of five people in your life that you will commit to pray for and share Christ's love with. We'll take a minute for silent personal prayer, and then a couple more minutes to pray together as a few of our folks lead us from the front. We'll lead right into the tune "Let Your Kingdom Come" as an appropriate closer to this time.
Then Pastor Todd will come and preach God's Word through the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and specifically to the "children" of the household in Ephesians 6:1-4. CLICK HERE to read this passage as you prepare for worship. Todd's sermon is the third part of a mini-series called "The Haustafel" which is the German word for "House Table" as the apostle Paul takes a proverbial look around the table at each household member and instructs them in their God honoring roles. CLICK HERE to listen to part 1, and CLICK HERE to listen to part 2.
We'll respond in song with the tune "You Alone" as we remember that we walk in roles not simply for effective household management, but as an offering of worship to God who ALONE is father, and good, and Savior!
SO that's what's happening on Sunday morning; looking forward to a super morning together, and allowing the Spirit to grow us so we're not just a social club, but a living, growing body that grows more and more into the fullness of Christ!
Happy prepping!
We shared a spectacular time together last weekend as we hosted The Children of the World. My wife and I chose a child to sponsor after their concert last Sunday night, and each time I walk by the fridge and see her picture I am reminded of the command of Jesus to look after widows and orphans, and how so much of the world lives in extreme poverty. I appreciate the message of World Help (the sponsoring agency of the Children of the World): Just start with one. The problem of poverty and not enough clean water is a daunting mountain, but it can only be climbed one step at a time.
I hope that events like that and our times together each weekend are causing growth in each of our lives. We must beware of complacency that would relegate the corporate gathering of the body of Christ to "just another activity." I'm praying hard today that the Spirit would stretch us and grow us because we are faithful to meet for prayer, praise, and preaching (also: pancakes next month on the 23rd...). Let's strive together to make each time we're together a profitable one through prayer and preparation...
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.This week we're going to start with "Enough" and "For You Are The Lord" (sorry I don't have a link for that song!) that are great tunes to help us shake off the distractions and the sleepiness and put the Lord in focus. I've mentioned before that this opening portion of the service is usually referred to as the "Call to Worship" but I like to think of it more as a "Refocus" of our worship which tends to slip away from Christ and onto ourselves or other things in life. We are always worshiping something, so the ever-present task is to keep that worship directed towards the one who is worthy of all praise!
-Ephesians 4:14-16
We'll take a few moments to corporately ask God's blessing on our time as we offer it for his glory. I know that sometimes this part can feel programmatic and "liturgical" (same thing, same way, same time, every time), but I really think it's the most appropriate time to do it since we've taken some time to really settle our minds in to worship. We need God's Spirit to be active within each of us during this time otherwise we're just putting on a show. It's the Spirit that does the real work through the various aspects we participate in together. This part of the service is a fundamental exercise in submitting to God's authority and the Spirit's power, so pray hard!
Then we'll get to greet each other and welcome visitors (DON'T skimp on that second part!!), but again, in the Spirit we're greeting with purpose: affirming each others' faithfulness in being there, encouraging participation and unity, and offering a loving smile or hug.
Next we'll jump into a few more songs: "In Christ Alone" and "God of This City" that will help prepare us for a time of individual and corporate prayer for the folks we wrote down on our "Strive for Five" cards. If you've still got that card somewhere at home, try and bring it with you for this time. If you don't know what "Strive for Five" is, it's a church wide exercise in prayer and witness to unbelieving family and friends. You can pick up a card where you fill in the names of five people in your life that you will commit to pray for and share Christ's love with. We'll take a minute for silent personal prayer, and then a couple more minutes to pray together as a few of our folks lead us from the front. We'll lead right into the tune "Let Your Kingdom Come" as an appropriate closer to this time.
Then Pastor Todd will come and preach God's Word through the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and specifically to the "children" of the household in Ephesians 6:1-4. CLICK HERE to read this passage as you prepare for worship. Todd's sermon is the third part of a mini-series called "The Haustafel" which is the German word for "House Table" as the apostle Paul takes a proverbial look around the table at each household member and instructs them in their God honoring roles. CLICK HERE to listen to part 1, and CLICK HERE to listen to part 2.
We'll respond in song with the tune "You Alone" as we remember that we walk in roles not simply for effective household management, but as an offering of worship to God who ALONE is father, and good, and Savior!
SO that's what's happening on Sunday morning; looking forward to a super morning together, and allowing the Spirit to grow us so we're not just a social club, but a living, growing body that grows more and more into the fullness of Christ!
Happy prepping!
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