FOCUS - Worship 2/3/2012

For those of you who are unaware, in December 2012 I accepted and started my role as the Spiritual Engagement Minister at the Georgetown Church of Christ.  In that role I have several responsibilities that fall under the umbrella of "spiritual engagement," but the responsibility most recognize me by is that of "Worship Minister."

As a part of that responsibility, it is my goal to develop meaningful worship experiences that will draw people into a closer relationship with Christ.  During the week, I have a regular meeting with our Senior Minister, Tim Curtis, that serves a kind of planning session for that week's worship assembly.  From that meeting, I start planning songs, prayers, and scriptures that might lend themselves to leading people into a more meaningful experience.  I then share these thoughts with our worship team during our Wednesday practice sessions so that they will be aware of the direction and meaning of each element.  I say all of this to tell you that there is a lot of unseen planning that goes along with our weekly worship services.  Unfortunately, most of those thoughts are not necessarily publicized which means that our Sunday morning worshippers may only get glimpses of what meaning each song or element has.  We try our best to convey that message during the Sunday services, but some days the direction may not be as clear, or profound, as others. 

So, with that thought in mind, I thought it might be good for me to be able to share with you some of my thoughts as I prepare week-to-week.  I hope that this will reveal to you new meaning and life that will enhance your worship experience on any given Sunday and that you will be able to draw closer to the throne of God.

God's Presence

"O Worship the King"

I love the way that this song affirms Christ as King.  In the opening song I like to make a statement of praise that prepares our minds in a way that we recognize why we are here and the depth of what we are doing.  

"Holy Ground Medley"

This last week we read from the story of Moses and the Exodus out of Egypt.  In that story, God calls Moses through a burning bush.  God commands him to not come any closer and that he should remove his sandals for "You are standing on holy ground."  This week our message will bear the focus of God's presence in our lives.  This is a great song that proclaims that "We are standing on holy ground" and that God is holy.  

"The Heart of Worship"

When we enter into worship and make ourselves aware of God's presence, what is it that we bring?  I love the line of this song that says "I'll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is not what you have required.  You search much deeper within through the way things appear.  You're looking into my heart."  So, being fully aware of God's presence brings me to a place where I come longing to strip everything else away so that I am fully in his presence."

"I Want to be Where You Are"

Psalm 84:10 says "Better is one day in [God's] court than thousands elsewhere."  It is my desire to make myself fully aware of God's movement in my life.  I just want to be where He is.

"Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross"

Fanny Crosby is one of my favorite hymn writers.  In this song she begs "Near the cross, O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me.  Help me walk from day to day with its shadow o're me."  I'm sure many of you have crosses in your homes or on piece of jewelry that serve as a reminder of the forgiveness and grace we receive through Jesus Christ.  What a wonderful request to ask God, that we might be walking daily in the shadow of the Cross.

"On Zion's Glorious Summit"

This particular song pulls back the vail for us and vividly describes the throne room scene in the book of Revelation.  The last portion of this song is the Sanctus that ends the song echoing the refrain of the "four living creatures" in Revelation 4:8ff as they are singing out "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!"

"The Lord is in His Holy Temple"

This song comes from Habakkuk 2:20 that concludes a section of scripture that is arguing against the worship of man-made idols. We create idols in our lives because we want something to be a physical representation of a god.  I believe that comes from a human inclination that needs to worship something/someone.  We know that God is the only one deserving of our worship.  This song helps us focus that thought more fully by commanding us to be silent before him. 

"Highest Place"

When we do make idols in our lives, we allow that thing to take ownership over us.  I like having the reminder that Jesus holds the highest place in our lives.  As God commanded to Moses "Do not worship any other gods besides me," and after that "Don't make any idols to worship." (Exodus 20:3-4)  One of the ways we can become more aware of God's presence in our lives is by giving him total lordship over us.  

"As the Deer"

This is another great song that comes to us directly from scripture in Psalm 42.  As a songwriter I appreciate the eloquence of the Psalmist as they paint a picture in our minds.  "As the deer thirsts for water, so my soul longs after you.  I thirst for the Living God."  For me, it creates a image of longing and desire.  God's presence is the water we long to quench our thirsty souls.  

"Days of Elijah"

The song has a lot of biblical history built into it.  Every line describes a character of the Bible and how God has made his presence among them.  Or to use the terms of our study of the Story "the Upper and Lower stories" collide.  The song's chorus proclaims the Lord's coming on clouds, shining like the sun, describing a coming time where we will fully experience God in the New Heaven and the New Earth and we will forever be in His glorious presence.