We come here to bring ourselves into the presence of the One who loved us first and who loves us most.

An Introduction to Worship

Worship is about God. Tom Long, in his book Beyond the Worship Wars, writes "Worship is what happens when people become aware that they are in the presence of the living God." At the center of our congregation's life is the weekly gathering for worship. In this gathering, we turn our attention away from ourselves, our schedules, our pet peeves, and turn our attention to the One who made us, who calls us, who watches over and guides us day by day. In worship, we are invited to remember that God has kept the world going for a very long time without our help. In worship, we bring ourselves into a place that frees us from self concern by turning our attention to the glory of God and the grace that carries us week after week. Sabbath-keeping is a weekly honoring of the truth about Who is in charge. Worship is about God.

But people organize the worship of God. People organize and lead worship, using our sense of art, of music, of language, and of what is holy. When one moves from town to town, these things change. They are different from one neighborhood to the next. At the heart of the Protestant Reformation was a reforming of the worship service. The Reformers changed the language from Latin to the language of the people. They put the reading and teaching of scripture at the center. They organized the music so that all the people joined in praise, not just the choir up front. In every land and language, the people decide how they will worship God in spirit and in truth.

"Worship is what happens when people become aware that they are in the presence of the living God." That is our goal when we gather for worship here at First Presbyterian Church. We come here to bring ourselves into the presence of the One who loved us first and who loves us most. It is our goal to honor God our Creator and Savior with our prayers, our praise, our music, our study of scripture, even our announcements. Weekly worship is the acknowledgement that we do not live by bread or work alone, but we need the Sabbath reminder that God is in charge.

Let us worship God.

Charlie Summers
Pastor