Worship… that’s what we do on Sunday morning. But what is it exactly we are doing? The word “worship” means “show reverence and adoration for (a deity); honor with religious rites.” The flow of our worship service lends itself to this process. First, we come before God confessing our sin… our unworthiness to be in God’s presence. We then hear God’s love and mercy extended to us through forgiveness. Then we sing a Gathering Hymn to focus our minds and hearts on God. That is followed by a prayer and them the Hymn of Praise to God for what God has done. Then we hear the word of God. God’s promises to God’s people. Following that is our confession of our faith in God and our prayers asking for God’s help. Then we take communion where we are reminded of God’s love and sacrifice for us. We share a meal at the table with Christ’s presence among us. Then we are sent to go on our way rejoicing. Notice a pattern here? It’s all about God! Sure, we get something too, but the reason we gather on Sunday morning is to worship God! 

But if you’re like me, sometimes I think more about myself than I do about God in worship. See if any of these sound familiar: The worship space is too hot. There are mistakes in the bulletin. I couldn’t hear the reader. The pastor’s sermon was boring. I didn’t like the new song. Someone was sitting in my favorite seat. All those things certainly can affect us, but the real question we should be asking is, does our worship please God? Are we there for God, or for ourselves? Let’s look at one of the most famous psalms about worship:

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
So, this Sunday when you come to worship, take a moment to center yourself and prepare your mind and heart to worship our amazing God!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Lu