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Our Livestreams are enjoyed by persons all across the country and even in Canada.  One lady recently sent us a picture of herself during our service. She was vacuuming while watching our service!  She sent a short message, "Livestream has changed my life.  I can get some housework done while attending church."  Now, I'm every so thankful for persons tuning into our service. And I really appreciate the notes and pictures we receive. But, I got to thinking.........

Isn't worship about more than merely tuning in and watching a performance?  Isn't worship more than showing up in a church building and sitting in a chair?  Isn't worship more that coming to the church building and just being present?

The Book of Acts is the most pure picture we have of early Christianity and one thing we learn about early Christianity is that they met weekly to worship.  The weekly purpose for gathering wasn't for child-care or nursery duty.  It wasn't for cooking or cleaning.  It wasn't for oganizational meetings and planning sessions. When the Christians gathered on Sundays it was to worship our Almighty God.  

The Bible is full of examples of worship.  In fact, in the Old Testament we find there were specific manners and expectations for worship because our God is so deserving of it.  Worship is an event where everyone present participates. We all sing. We all pray. We all listen. We all learn.  We all meet around the Lord's Table. We all participate in an offering.  Livestream, as important as it has been for persons who can't get out, has also made it easy to forgot how important worship is.  Here are ideas on how we can make our worship experience the best possible experience:

(1)  If you are worshiping on Livestream, participate.  Sing along with us.  Take communin with us.  (We have communion kits available and can get them to you so that you have the very same wafer and juice that we use in the church building.)  Send in your offering just as if you were in the building. Take notes of the message.  Listen carefully.  Pray along with us when we pray.  No matter where you are watching from, particiapte in all the elements of worship.

(2) If you are in-person in our church building, make worship the priority.  Sing enthusiastically.  Listen attentively.  Commune with other believers and the Lord at His table. Participate in the offering.  If you have children, ask them to sit with you and to sing along with you. Explain to them before and church and after church how important worship is and why we're there.  Of course, the sermons are difficult for smaller children to understand, so we provide a class for them to attend during that part of the worship service.

(3)  If you are worshiping in our fellowship hall overflow area, please worship just as if you were in the auditorium.  Sit in the seats in front of the television. Stand when the congregation stands.  Take communion when the rest of the church takes communion. You can even leave your offering in the offering plate provide.  And, if you have to travel through the fellowship hall to get to the restrooms, nursery or Kindgom Kids area, please be mindful of those who are worshiping.   We recommend that children do not worship unaccompanied by an adult in the fellowship hall.   

Let's not miss the point.  There's so many ways to serve in the church. There are so many things to get accomplished that make us a better congregation. But, between the hours of 10 and 11 we don't do anything more important than worship the one who created us, sustains us and saved us.  Let's worship with all our hearts!