Life of worship
With the blessing of growing up in a small farming community in the '50s and '60s, my childhood was akin to a Norman Rockwell painting. The TV did not get turned on until the 6:00 news, and we ate our meals at the table. Sundays always included Sunday school and worship in the big church. I wore a very pressed, frilly dress, and my brothers wore slacks, white shirts, and ties. Life has changed quite a bit.
When I reflect on my worship experience as a kid, I realize the words in the Lord's Prayer of "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done on Earth As It Is In Heaven” were just words. My one hour of sitting in the church on Sunday was not exactly the meaning behind the Lord's Prayer, but I must admit, there was something special about that one hour each week. It was meant to be a time to recharge batteries so that we were equipped to go out and live the life Christ intended. The odd thing is I don’t remember that concept being preached from the pulpit.
For me, worship is more important than ever, whether in a church structure, online, or simply sitting on a beach reading God’s word. Certainly, worship isn't just something that happens on Sunday mornings. It is defined as giving our entire self, thoughts, and emotions to God's use. There are many ways to worship: reading the Bible, praying, giving thanks, music, and two of my favorites: marveling at God's creation and serving others.
Worshiping with other families that share your beliefs can help your family to become more grounded and fulfilled. Imparting the virtues of love, faith, and charity to your children allows you to feel confident that you have done all that you can to provide them with the moral compass they will need to navigate the adult world successfully.
I am so proud of our youth and how they welcomed the kids from the Eastgate community to our summer camp for a week of worshiping. Due to unfortunate circumstances, many had never been to camp and had not experienced the love of Jesus and what it meant to draw nearer to him. Our youth became the only Jesus some of them had ever encountered.
When 1,500 school children in a national study were asked what made a happy family, they didn't list things like money or cars. Their number one answer was doing things together. Children want their parents, friends, or surrogate family to show interest in their activities, do things with them, and talk with them. Giving time is an important way of showing love and appreciation and a way to worship. The more time you spend together, the better your chance of sharing God’s love.
Progress is inevitable and needed in many things, for example, medical research, but if your life feels complicated, stressed, or out of control, choose to examine it in detail, take it to its simplest form, and spend time with all of God's creation. When our kids were little, my mom used to tell me you aren't taking the time to stop and smell the roses. As a nana, I now understand what she was trying to tell me. In this hurried world, it's easy to get overwhelmed with worldly things and not take the time to worship God for all He has provided.
This weekend, our good friend and consultant, Reggie McNeal, will be here to help us navigate and discern how we can live out our core values of Becoming more like Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit as we Connect, Develop, and Change. Hope you can join us.
Blessings,
Peggy Zumhofe
Executive Pastor
