Sunday Worship Preview: January 30

GTX Worship – 01/30/2011

submitted by David Carnes

797 – Lord, We Come Before Thee Now (v1, 4 & 2)

The song “Lord, We Come Before Thee Now” is a great call to worship for congregational worship. My favorite lyrics in this hymn come in verse three, “Lord, we know not how to go, Till a blessing Thou bestow,” because it describes a scene of God's children coming a to a moment of surrender while waiting for a blessing.

Welcome

Lord, Reign In Me

The interesting thing about this high energy song is that is a declaration of surrender. Notice the lyrics in verse one, “But my one request, Lord, my only aim is that You'd reign in me again.” It may seem strange and unusual to some to sing a song of surrender with an attitude of celebration, but is it any different than the message of John 3:16 that mentions despair and hope?

This Is How We Overcome

This is a new song for the people of Georgetown Church family, but it is one that needs to be heard. So many connected with this family have experienced hardships and need to know that because of God's great love for us we have been made more than conquerors. “This Is How We Overcome” is filled with energy and an attitude of victory it also gives an excuse to celebrate with dancing (You have turned my mourning into dancing).

Prayer

Congregational Reading – Hebrews 1:1-5

422 – Spirit Of The Living God

“Spirit Of The Living God” is a prayer of surrender while filled with a desire to made new. The lyrics, “Melt me, mold me, fill me use me.” capture this image.

671 – Purer In Heart, O God

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8). This song of prayer echos the words of Christ on the mountain. It is only with God's help that we will see Him. Each verse of this hymn ends with the lyrics, “Purer in heart, Help me to be.” The power section takes place in verse three.

64 – I Worship You, Almighty God

There Is None Like You

These two songs while written a decade apart seem to belong together. They both paint a scene of God's unique worth, “There is none like you.”

Communion

(Songs during the Cup...)

There Is None Like You

276 – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (refrain)

This song brings a challenge to focus on Jesus and not on the things of this world. Like Peter we might walk on the water so long as we remain focused on God's Son and not distracted by life on Earth.

Offering

(Song during the Offering...)

410 – He Leadeth Me (v1 & 2)

“He Leadeth Me” is a song of confession of trust in God's faithfulness regardless of the places He takes us. This imagery comes alive in the lyrics of verse two, “By waters still o'er troubled sea Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.”

(Song for Bible Barnyard dismissal...)

116 – God Will Make A Way

Continuing the prayer begun in the last hymn “God Will Make A Way” speaks of our willingness to trust God come what may.

I Lift My Hands

This is another new song for the Georgetown Church family. It is simple and describes a place of peace and stillness before God. It begins in unison and later breaks into harmony while each verse raises a step which creates more energy and a sense of awe.

Sermon

(Songs following the Sermon...)

221 – Jesus, Name Above All Names

222 – There's Something About That Name

There is power in no other name (Acts 4:12). Every knee will bow at the mention of His name (Philippians 2:9-10). The name of Jesus.

Shepherd's Prayer/Announcements

This Is How We Overcome

Going Deeper: Who is He?

This week, we talked about the character of the God that we worship and how God's character influences the way that we worship him.

-Everything we do in worship is done because of the mercy that God has shown to us, without this mercy we would not even come into his presence. (Romans 12:1, Psalm 5:7)

-We asked the question, “What makes God worthy of worship?” and talked about the fact that we can never really know all there is to know about God; we are worshiping a being that we can not fully understand. (Psalm 113:5-6, 1 Timothy 6:15-16)

-While we can never fully get our minds around the vastness of God, we get a glimpse of his character by looking at what he done in us and around us.

-We looked at God's transcendent nature by reflecting on his holiness (Hosea 11:9, Isaiah 6:2-3), power (Colossians 2:13-15, Ephesians 3:20-21), and wisdom (Isaiah 40:13-14, Romans 11:33-36).

-We also looked at the loving, intimate nature of God and his desire for us to draw near to him (1 John 4:8-10, Isaiah 40:11).

-Although these two aspects of God's character seem to contradict each other, we need to acknowledge both of them during our times of worship and realize that God is worthy of reverence and awe, as well as intimacy and affection.

How do we balance these two sides of God's character in our worship? How would you answer the question, “What makes God worthy of your worship?” Feel free to share your thoughts.

Be Blessed!

Going Deeper: What is worship?

This week in our Wednesday night discussion, we took a look at the question "What is worship?"  We talked about four different elements that define what true worship is all about.  Here's a review:

1. Worship is responsive.  When we worship, we are responding to what God has done for us by thanking him and offering ourselves to him.  (Psalm 66:5-8, Psalm 136)

2. Worship is narrative.  Worship is a declarative act in which we tell the story of what God has done in our lives and join the eternal narrative in which people have sought to be near to God in worship.  (1 Chronicles 16:8-10)

3. Worship is sacrificial.  We are called to sacrifice when we worship, we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open in worship so that God can work in our lives.  (2 Samuel 24:18-24, Ephesians 4:22-24)

4.  Worship is transformative.  When we allow ourselves to be open in God's presence, he can transform us in powerful ways.  (2 Corinthians 3:18, Isaiah 6:1-8)

Which of these elements really connects with you?  Which ones do you have trouble recognizing?  What other aspects of worship do you value?  Feel free to post your thoughts in the comment section of this post.  May God bless us as we worship him this week?

Looking Ahead: What is worship?

This week we'll be diving into our study of worship by asking a simple question: What is Worship?  To answer this question, we'll look at Romans 12:1-2 and explore some other passages that speak volumes as to what worship is and what our worship should be all about.  So often, we think of corporate worship as being an act, an obligation, or a duty; worship is so much more than that!

How would you define worship?  What does worship mean to you?

Going Deeper: Introduction

This week we discussed the importance of studying worship and previewed some of the topics we'll be looking at over the next couple of months.  Here are some highlights:

-Our purpose in this class is not to push new styles of worship but rather come to understand what true worship is and discover how we can be transformed through our times of worship.  We want our worship renewal to be focused on our inward spirits instead of our outward expressions.

-We looked at several passages that illustrate how important worship is to God and tell about the great power in true worship. (Isaiah 29:13, John 4:19-24, Romans 12:1-2)

-We looked ahead at some ideas that we'll be exploring in this class that will help us develop a deeper heart for worship, come to better understand communal worship, and leave a lasting impact through our worship.

-I also referenced a few resources that are available to those who want more depth and interaction outside of our weekly meetings.  One of those resources is this blog, the other is a twitter account "GTworship".  If you'd like a quick and easy way to follow the twitter feed, just text "GTworship" to 40404 and you'll receive a text message when a new tweet is posted.

As we look forward to this journey, What are some ways that you feel you can grow in worship?  How have your feelings about worship helped or hindered your spiritual transformation?  Feel free to post your responses in the comments section of this post.  May God bless us as we seek to be transformed through worship!

-JC

Transforming Worship!

   Welcome to Transforming Worship! This site was created as supplement to a class of the same title that I'm teaching at the Georgetown Church of Christ in Georgetown, TX. The focus of our study is based on a passage from Romans chapter 12:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

-Romans 12:1-2, Today's New International Version

   Our purpose in this study is to develop a deeper understanding of community worship by looking at scripture along with interactive discussions, multimedia presentations, and tangible worship experiences; and to explore new insights and perspectives that will enhance our corporate worship services.


   Each week, I'll be posting session previews early in the week that will give you a sneak peak at what we'll be discussing and give you a chance to think about that topic before coming to class. We'll meet together on Wednesday nights to explore that topic in depth by studying scripture as well as utilizing other resources in order to gain a better understanding of what true worship is all about. Later in the week, I'll write a follow-up post to give you some additional ideas to think about and also provide an opportunity for you to post comments and contribute to our ongoing dialogue.


   Every week, I'll also be posting the worship order for the upcoming Sunday. This will give you a chance to prepare your heart for that weeks worship. A few thoughts form that Sunday's worship leader will also be included to give you further insight into how the service was planned.


   This study is not about new forms of worship. It's not about new songs, new styles, new trends, or new formats of worship. This class is about something much deeper than that, it's about what God is really looking for in His worshiper: hearts that are fully engaged and ready to be transformed by the one whom they worship.


   I'll hope you'll join us on this journey toward more meaningful worship! Even if you aren't able to come to our sessions at Georgetown, please feel free to join the on-line discussion. May God bless us as we allow him to transform us through worship!

-Jeff Curtis