Worship on January 27, 2008
As we entered the sanctuary there were 2 obvious and curious changes. The screen had a listing of current announcements flashing across. Although we have been working with the screen for over a year, this was the first time we were greeted with announcements. There were still plenty of announcements written in the bulletin, it was a little more exciting to read them up front.
The second change was on the preacher’s platform. In front of the altar were about 7 suitcases of various sizes and colors. It made the people around me ask why someone would put this collection up front.
The announcement time began. We had the usual good business to discuss. One of the slides on the screen asked how we had seen God at work in our life this week. Some people took the time to answer that question. We heard about God at work even in the extreme cold weather we’d had this week.
Devon H, Venessa D, Anita L, Jane E, Jacque C, Linda O and Mary G each talked about prayer concerns on their heart.
Ginny McCabe was our liturgist of the morning. She called the worship service to order reading selections of what kids think and do during church. Most everyone had a good chuckle as we could relate to these children.
Ginny was also our song leader of the morning. We opened with the hymns, “All Glory, Laud and Honor” and “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
Following the prayer time Jeff Need taught the children. He started off by asking one of the kids to do a trust fall from the stage. Jeff stood several feet away from this kid as he asked. Jeff pointed out that at times God seems really far away. Even in those times God will not let us fall.
Jeff went on to talk about things the kids could do to feel closer to God. They talked about obeying God and their parents. The crowd approved of these choices.
Our middle hymn was “Be Thou My Vision”.
The scripture reading was from I Samuel 10:17-27.
The pastor talked about the lengthy process that God had the Nation of Israel experience for them to know who their first king was going to be. It is possible that God put them through this so that the nation would understand that they are to work with the king.
People don’t go into ministry alone. Each member of the church must all go into ministry together.
When Samuel was trying to name Saul as the king, Saul had hidden himself among the baggage. How often are we focused on the baggage of this world and we miss God’s calling into ministry?
Our closing hymn was “Rock of Ages.”
About 115 people enjoy worship together.
