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What Do You Think?
Was Our Worship Joyful Last Sunday?
We could ask this question about any service of worship. However, given our gospel reading, Jesus' parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, last Sunday's worship should prove particularly enlightening.
Unless your life is like that of Lazarus, it is hard to imagine hearing this parable and feeling much joy. Where was the good news for the rich man, or his brothers? Even, if your life is like that of Lazarus, where is the joy in that? So, it would seem, if we can find the joy in our worship last Sunday, we should be able to find it every Sunday.
Was our worship joyful last Sunday? If we were to ask this question of everyone who worshipped with us, we would probably find a wide range of answers. Some might say, "Yes", because they enjoyed the music. Others might say, "No", for the same reasons. Some might say, "Yes", because they enjoyed the liturgy or the sermon. Others might say, "No", for the same reason. Some might say, "Yes", because, whether or not they enjoyed the music, liturgy or sermon, they enjoyed being in worship with family and friends. Some might say, "No", for the same reason.
If we use our personal experience as the barometer of our joy, in effect asking the question: "How did worship make me feel?" Then, we may be assured, on any given Sunday, there will be those who found worship joyful and those who didn't. Is there a way to speak of the joy of worship, apart from personal experience? Another way to ask this question would be: Can worship be joyful, even if I did not enjoy it?
In our "Welcome to the Presbyterian Church" class, we had an excellent discussion of worship, particularly the source of our joy in worship. Here I found the comments of those participating in the class especially insightful. Together, we concluded that the source of our joy in worship comes not necessarily from the particular elements, but from our transformation and renewal.
We might enjoy the music, liturgy and sermon, or not. We might enjoy the company of those worshipping with us, or not. We might enjoy a particular scripture reading, or not.
Nevertheless, if we have truly worshipped - meaning, if we came to worship with humble and contrite hearts, fully expecting an encounter with God; if we prepared for that encounter by praying and reading the Bible; if we opened our hearts and minds to hear God's Word; and, if we left knowing the faithfulness of our worship would be reflected in the faithfulness of our lives - if we have truly worshipped, then our worship will have been joyful.
For the joy of worship come not from the particular elements of our worship. That would be akin to the joy of entertainment. Rather, the joy of worship is found in the transformation and renewal that occurs in our lives, when, in our worship we have come face to face with God.
Was our worship joyful last Sunday? Without question. Opportunities for transformation and renewal, that arise when we are in the presence of God, were plentiful. Was your worship joyful last Sunday? That depends. Did you truly worship?
See you in church!
Pastor Myers revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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Coming Up on Sunday:
Sermon:
"Praising God From the Broken Places in Our Lives"
Lamentations 3:19-26
Luke 17:5-10
Lay Assistant:
George Nieman
Communion Servers:
Jon Graham, Bob Green, Ron Tenold, Ralph & Martha Whiteman, Carol & Bonnie Heflin, Armond & Betsy Akey, Jonalyn Heaton, Susan Van Kirk, Carol Bowman
Phil Painter, Tom Best, Chuck Peirce, Tim Phelps, Will Myers
Greeters:
Don & Donna Lee
Chuck Hallam & Everitt Hardin Nursery:
Children's Church:
Isabel Marshall, John Marshall, & Alis Chy |
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Adult Education
All are welcome to come to the Brides Room - Across from the Chapel to kick off our adult education year with a great series about us! If you are thinking of joining our congregation, just curious, always been a member, young, old..... we hope you will come. Our curriculum comes out of the monthly magazine "Presbyterians Today" and will be facilitated by Pastor Myers.
Welcome to the Presbyterian Church
October 3: Your Money and Your Life
October 10: An Invitation to Read the Bible |
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Sunday School
Children 3yrs - 6th grade: meet in the theater upstairs. Parents are welcome.
Youth 7th - 12th grade: meet in the senior high room in the youth wing.
Faith & Life and Bible Study Class will meet together in the Brides room. |
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Wednesday Night Live
We had a great first week at WNL, but it's not too late to sign up. We're going to Sail into God's Creation with another great year of fun, games, music, crafts, worship, and food. Regular pick up at the schools will begin on September 22. Please register your child by filling out the blue forms found outside the office door. I need your registration before Sept. 21 in order to place your child in a car for pick up at the schools. We can't wait to see you!!!
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Peanut Free Nursery
Because we share space with Teddy Bear we need to be aware of one of their new students who is very allergic to peanuts. Therefore, anyone working or bringing your child to the nursery, please refrain from bringing in any kind of peanut substance. Thanks for your help.
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Sewing Circle
The Sewing Circle will meet this morning at 9:30 a.m. in the social hall of the church. Bring a dish to share at the potluck luncheon to follow. Open to all women of Faith.
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Church Women United
Church Women United will be hosting a Love Tea at Cameron Christian Church on Friday, October 1, at 1:30 p.m. The speaker will be Sharon Gilbert from Galesburg on the history of hats. All women are invited to attend and you may even wear a favorite hat if you wish. Cookies and drinks will be served. If you'd like to carpool, we will leave the church parking lot at 1:00 p.m.
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Thai Circle
REMINDER: Thai Circle will be next Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the social hall.
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Join Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center this Sunday, from 4 - 6:00 p.m. at Monmouth Park (Pavilion will be marked with yellow and blue ballons) for a Photo Scavenger Hunt! The Ccst to enter is $10 per person - 4 person teams. Charge your cameras and clear your memory cards and sign-up today by contacting Bailey Stokes at 309-371-8417 or Melinda Fry at 309-371-5860. Free grilled hotdogs, chips, and drink after event.
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Fillman Fellowship
Fillman Fellowship will meet in Fellowship Hall of Faith Church at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14. All women are welcome. Please bring a sandwich. Dessert and beverages will be provided. |
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Grief Series - A Journey of Renewal
For six Wednesday evenings beginning October 20, the Chaplains' Association of OSF Holy Family Medical Center will sponsor a fall series, "Grief: Journey of Renewal" for people who have recently experienced the death of a loved one or those finding difficulty in coping with their grief. The discussions will be led by Doug Gibb, Bereavement Counselor. One session will be conducted by a member of the OSF Holy Family Medical Center Chaplains' Association.
Session Topics:
October 20 "Getting to Know Your Grief"
October 27 "The Positive Power of Grief"
November 3 "Memories"
November 10 "Advice for Friends of the Bereaved"
November 17 "God Cares" by a Chaplains'
Association Member
Date TBA "Coping with Special Days"
The sessions begin at 5:30 and adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Each session will be held at OSF Holy Family Medical Center Classroom, 1000 West Harlem Avenue in Monmouth. Participants should enter the southwest entrance of the hospital from the West Visitor's Parking Lot where signs will be posted for room location. Each session includes a light meal.
Registrations are appreciated. For information and registration call 734-1404.
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Elder - Deacon - Trustee Candidate Suggestion Form
The task of the Nominating Committee is to place the names of qualifies individuals before the Congregation as nominees to fill positions on the church boards. The Congregation must then vote to elect these persons. The Nominating Committee needs your help in determining who is qualified and able to serve, if nominated. Please give this form to any member of the Nominating Committee.
Candidate Name:
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The 2011 Nominating Committee is: Phil Painter, Julie Armstrong, Carolyn Simpson, Crystal Sargent, Betsy Akey, Jo Ellen Dollinger, Darlene Moffet, Carol Heflin, Carolyn Meling |
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Hospitalization
Erma Smallwood is currently at Bounce Back at Seminary Manor in Galesburg. |
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Prayers For...
Erma Smallwood; Joan Steis; Joey Hull; Ruth Foley; Carol Olsen; Joan Steis; Jack McBride; David Lee; Ted Abernathy; Ron McClintock; Eilleen Spoerl; and Frank Sorensen. |
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Calendar for the week
Thursday Sewing Circle @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Choir @ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School @ 9:15 a.m.
Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
Jr. High Youth Group @ 4:00 p.m.
Sr. High Youth Group @ 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Live @ 3:20 p.m.
Thursday Thai Circle @ 9:30 a.m.
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