Category: Worship

Use and misuse of the term "Worship"

3/21/2011

This is an assignment I completed for one of my ordination courses. It's the the first installment in a two-parter, discussing and analyzing our common use and misuse of terms, specifically "worship" and "church". This lesson deals with the first word, "worship". This lesson is complete with speakers notes and a booklet that can be used by those listening and learning.

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The John Wesley Covenant Service

1/6/2011

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Dear refuge of my weary soul

4/18/2010

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Is your soul feeling weary and seeking refuge? Try praying this prayer out loud to God right now.

1. Dear refuge of my weary soul,
On Thee, when sorrows rise
On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies
To Thee I tell each rising grief,
For Thou alone canst heal
Thy Word can bring a sweet relief,
For every pain I feel

2. But oh! When gloomy doubts prevail,
I fear to call Thee mine
The springs of comfort seem to fail,
And all my hopes decline
Yet gracious God, where shall I flee?
Thou art my only trust
And still my soul would cleave to Thee
Though prostrate in the dust

3. Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face,
And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of sovereign grace,
Be deaf when I complain?
No still the ear of sovereign grace,
Attends the mourner's prayer
Oh may I ever find access,
To breathe my sorrows there

4. Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet,
Thy mercy seat is open still,
Here let my soul retreat
With humble hope attend Thy will,
And wait beneath Thy feet

Author: Anne Steele (1716-1778)
To read a short biography about Anne Steele, click here.
I heard this hymn for the first time on a worship album I was listening to. The honesty and hope in the lyrics spoke to me in a profound way. I carry a hymn book in my man-purse wherever I go. It's like a book of instant prayers, ready to access and pray to our Father who is constantly listening. Do you find you run out of words sometimes? Well, why not starting packing a hymn book in your man purse and see where it takes you!

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A fresh take on worship

3/16/2010

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During my Advanced Theology class last week, in Indiana, something the Professor (Steve DeNeff) said really struck me. I copied down what he said, as faithfully as possible:

"Worship is not something that we begin. Worship is already happening within the Trinity.
We can either get in on the game or not, but we are not game changers.
Worship is me pulling up a chair to the table of the Trinity and joining in the conversation that's already happening:

Me: Jesus, You're absolute!
God the Father: That's what I've been saying all along!!"

Can you imagine that? Each member of the Trinity has been constantly deferring to the other two for eternity past. They love each other SO much. One God, three Persons. Three Persons, One God. So when we get in on worship, we're adding our meagre thoughts and words of praise to this conversation that is ALREADY going on!!

My Professor said other things that gave me pause for thought:

"Sanctification is the process of becoming more like God.
God is a Trinity. Trinity means three.
Therefore, if the Trinity is true, we need community to be sanctified.
We cannot be sanctified outside of community!
God's vision for the Church is to represent what He has in the Trinity on earth. This is evangelism!!"

Steve DeNeff is the Senior Pastor at College Wesleyan Church, Indiana. You can find his sermons online here or by subscribing on iTunes (just search for "College Wesleyan Church" in the podcast section)

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