Sermon ~ September 16th

Series: Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Message: Passionate Worship
Date: September 16, 2007
Speaker: JC Kelley

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Sermon Notes PDF

Week 2:  Passionate Worship

To begin...

1.       Indentify with our mission:  “To share with all people the unconditional love of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ.”

2.       Understand our vision:  “A community of faith where everyone is welcomed, respected, and valued and where individuals are transformed by the abundance of God’s grace into passionate disciples who are changing the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

3.       Pray over these scriptures:  Exodus 8:1 and Psalm 84

So what can I do?

Adults:

·         Come to worship with the attitude that it is the most important hour of your week.  Prepare yourself by reading scripture, praying, and asking questions. Participate with enthusiasm – this is the day that the Lord has made!

·         Talk with a pastor about joining one of the worship planning teams

·         Use a technique, such as a “breath prayer” to remind yourself of God’s presence.

Youth:

·         Commit to being an active part of worship every week.

·         Gather other youth to create a youth praise band to help lead our youth in worship.

·         Pledge to spend fifteen minutes every morning in Time Alone with God (TAG).  Pick-up a copy of Devo’zine and use it as your personal devotion guide.  Share with a friend where you encountered God and were changed through worship and/or your personal devotion.

Children:

·         Passionate worship is for kids too.  When you are in worship, close your eyes, sing along with the music, listen to the sounds around you.  How does your heart feel?  Talk with your family and friends about the feelings you have.

·         Be a part of the Children’s Advent Pageant (Dec. 9).  This is our opportunity to lead passionate worship by re-telling this most awesome story to everyone in our faith community.

·         Read the Children’s Prayer Corner (from the Tower newsletter) to your family and discuss what God is saying to you in that devotion.