Most of you reading this article will be coming from different points of view and different religious expressions.
I would like to shed some light about my experience with worship and how I see it lived out in my Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod context and would love to dialogue with you about how you view worship, too.
A few questions: Is worship primarily us coming to God to offer him our heart in praise? Is worship us coming to Jesus to sing songs? Is worship God coming to judge us sinners?
The only thing we can come to God to offer Jesus in our worship is our sin. We rebel against God and have done so since our conception. Our worship begins with Jesus coming to us, not us going to Jesus. In order to understand that concept, let me explain the word “liturgy” to you that my church body uses in their services. Liturgy can be thought of as the flow and structure of our worship service including the invocation, confession/absolution, singing, readings from God’s word, sermon, offering, prayers, Sacraments of baptism/ Holy Communion and benediction. Liturgy literally means “service.” But
whose service is it—God’s or ours?
In worship, we come as beggars in need of being forgiven. Martin Luther, the German reformer in the 16th century, once wrote that we come to worship with an empty bag. We come to receive from God gifts of grace. But what gifts do we receive?
What are the gifts that we receive in worship from Jesus?
Let’s find out. Use a Bible you have or just Google these verses.
• Read Matthew 18:20. What does God give in worship? His presence.
• Read 1 John 1:9-10. What does God give in worship? Forgiveness of sins; grace.
• Read Acts 2:42-47. or 1 Corinthians 11:2326. What does God give in worship? His body and blood.
• Read 1 Peter 3:21-22. What does God give in worship? Salvation through baptism.
• Read Nos. 6:24-26. What does God give in worship? His blessing, peace and favor.
God gives to us in worship. Worship is first and foremost, God serving us. We receive. God initiates as we the people of God gathers.
Let me explain this to you with the four dimensions of God’s call upon us to fill through a “worshipful life.”
First dimension of worship: God comes to us. We receive.
Second dimension of worship: We respond to God in praise and offerings. Third dimension of worship: Then we join together in the church/the body of Christ in fellowship.
Fourth dimension of worship: Worship then goes out to others during the week as we offer our bodies as living sacrifices to love the community in Jesus’ name.
“A Worshipful Life” is living in Jesus’ presence 24/7. Now, let’s read Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” What does this say about our worship?
Therefore, in the fall, how will you live out “A Worshipful Life” throughout the week in where Jesus has placed you in the community?
I would like to offer two suggestions on how to live “A Worshipful Life:”
• First: When you go to worship, remember that Jesus is filling you up with His grace. Come picturing yourself with an empty bag. Let Jesus fill you up with His presence. Come with an empty bag and leave filled up with His grace!
• Second: After worship, get involved loving people in Jesus name in Gilbert, Mesa and beyond. I am sure any of our local churches would be extremely
happy to help plug you into service this summer or fall. Just go to Google and type in Gilbert churches to see which one is closest to you.
No matter how you serve, enjoy using your filled up bag from Jesus Christ to give some of that grace and forgiveness to others in the community. Enjoy living out your “Worshipful Life” into the fall! Jesus lives!
Spiritual Reflections
Share your spiritual reflections
The spiritual leaders of Gilbertarea churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@gilbertsunnews.com. Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the Gilbert Sun News.
Worship guide
There is a place of worship for a variety of religions in Gilbert. Here is a partial list of some of the congregations in the town. Want to be added to this list? Email christina@gilbertsunnews.com.
The Bridge Church
860 E. Warner Rd., Suites 101 & 103 Gilbert 85296
480-294-7888
www.bridgechurchaz.org
Services: 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays We exist to show the world who Jesus is, and we believe that when people get to know Jesus as He really is, their lives will change forever. Therefore, it is our passion to help people know Jesus throughout Gilbert, Metro Phoenix and the world.
Central Christian Church—Gilbert 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert 85297 www.centralaz.com/Arena/?page=5644
Services: 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sundays
While the Bible itself is the church’s official document of faith, the website lists a variety of statements that fundamentally define the church. Please visit the website for more information.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints
3301 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert 85297 (480) 822-5000
For more information about the temple, visit the website above.
First United Methodist Church of Gilbert
331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert 85233 (480) 892-9166
www.gilbertumc.org
Services: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (traditional services) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service) Sundays
There are two traditional services—8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.—with the Chancel choir and traditional worship. The 11 a.m. service has a contemporary feel, with music from the Praise Band. The 9:30 a.m. service generally has the largest attendance.
Gilbert Presbyterian Church
235 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-6753
www.azgpc.org
Services: 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays
Gilbert Presbyterian Church is called to be a Christ-centered covenant family nurtured by the Holy Spirit to worship God and to share God’s love with everyone.
Living Water United Methodist Fellowship
Highland Park Elementary School
230 N Cole. Dr., Gilbert 85234
www.livingwaterum.org
Services: 10 a.m. Sundays
Living Water exists to bring people in to meet Christ, build people up to follow Christ and send people out to share Christ.
Mission Community Church
4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 545-4024
www.mission68.org
Services: 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays
The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth and without error in the original manuscripts.
Real Life Church
Church services at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts
4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 444-0231 or www.reallife.cc
The church believes in one God consisting of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is the creator of all things, including man.
Gospel means good news, but it is truly the most profound and glorious truth ever revealed. It is not advice, nor is it a system or philosophy to add to the congregants’ lives. It is an exclusive truth claim, a holistic worldview, the true story of the whole world, which by its very nature must redefine and recolor everything else.
Resurrection Episcopal Church
Meets at Gilbert Community Center, 130 N. Oak St., Gilbert 85233 (480) 719-5343 www.resurrectiongilbert.org Services: Call for information
The world sends the message that we must hold right beliefs and exhibit right behaviors before we can rightly belong. To God, that idea is backward. We always belong to God, and in Christ nothing can separate us from his love and acceptance. Growth in Godly ways of being and doing is cultivated when we acknowledge that
we are already known and loved by God. All people are welcome at the church, and congregation officials don’t just say it, they live it.
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
2654 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 279-6737
www.smarymag.org
A Roman Catholic parish that witnesses the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, Catechesis and celebration of the Sacraments.
San Tan Bible Church
1424 S. Promenade Lane, Gilbert 85296
Phone number not available. www.santanbible.org
Services: 8:30 a.m. (Bible hour); 9:30 a.m. (Café 2:42) and 10 a.m. worship service Sundays
The church believes the glory of God is the chief end of all we do.
Sun Valley Community Church
456 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert 85296 (480) 632-8920, www.sunvalleycc.com
Services: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays
The atmosphere is casual and friendly at Sun Valley Community Church. It places high value on authentic Christian
living and placing Christ at the center of all our teachings. The church also offers worship music that is current and uplifting, along with focused weekend sermons that break down the Bible in a way that makes it easy to connect the word of God with today’s busy life.
Two Rivers Church
326 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-2435, www.2riverschurch.org
Services: 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) Sundays
Two Rivers Church exists to help lead congregants into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging and equipping them to love God intimately and serve others. It has a casual environment with a serious faith.
Valor Christian Center
3015 E. Warner Rd., Gilbert 85296 (480) 545-4321, www.ValorCC.com
Services: 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays
Valor Christian Center is a spirit-filled church that believes God’s word is relevant for today. Its mission is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world and to see lives transformed by His power. Join the congregation for its Healing Service the last Sunday of each month.
No perfect people allowed
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your spiritual journey... ...you are welcome at the Bridge
Resurrection Episcopal Church is launching a new campaign to encourage Gilbert residents to read the Bible more.
“The Story” is a unique 31-week program that is free to the public. The curriculum is for adults and children.
Children will cover the material at the same time as the adults, so that the entire family can experience “The Story.”
The program will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, following the regular Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. The church meets Sundays at the Gilbert Community Center, 130 N. Oak St., in the Heritage District.
“The Bible is central to our faith,” said the Rev. Scott Jones of Resurrection Episcopal Church. “But many people are intimidated by its scope and size. ‘The Story’ gives us a way to journey from Genesis to Revelation together in 31 weeks so everyone understands God’s story and how their story intersects with it.”
The Bible is the bestselling book in history, but how many people are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
Resurrection Episcopal Church is hoping
to reverse this trend, starting with its own congregation. Jones said he believes that “The Story” is the right tool to increase Biblical literacy, helping readers understand God’s story from Genesis to Revelation and how their own stories intersect with God’s. Consisting of 31 chapters of carefully selected Scriptures sequenced in chronological order, “The Story” presents the word of God in an engaging format, reading like a novel.
“I want the people in my congregation, as well as the town of Gilbert, to realize the incredible love God has for them and how their story is found in His story,” said Jones.
With thousands of participating churches nationwide, “The Story” is becoming a movement that is bringing wide-ranging benefits to local churches. Many have reported increased community outreach, increased Biblical literacy, congregational growth and a greater understanding of how God’s story reveals the reasons for the things that happen in man’s story. Resurrection Episcopal Church would like to invite those interested in experiencing “The Story” with them to visit www. ResurrectionGilbert.org, or call the church at (480) 719-5343 for more information. To learn more about “The Story,” visit www. thestory.com.
Cruising for a Cause
Bring the animals for a special blessing
Pet lovers are invited to First United Methodist Church for an afternoon of interaction, education, blessings and fun during the Blessing of the Animals celebration from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. The ceremony is set for 3 p.m.
Pets play an important part in many families and communities. When a pet is sick or expecting, the change in dynamics can make a huge impact on the pet owner and the family. It’s well known that their presence is not only therapeutic but in some cases (i.e., service dogs) a necessity for day-to-day participation in society. First United Methodist Church’s staff believes the love owners show their pets is a direct reflection of God’s love on us.
with their adoptable pets will be present. The AZ Herpetological Society will be there with snakes, lizards and other reptiles. A mobile petting zoo will be present with lambs, goats, ducks and more.
The church’s first Blessing of the Animals is one way that it can support the community in a fun and meaningful way. The event will have information and activities for low-cost vaccines and microchipping. Several different organizations
Bring pets and/or find one to adopt then stay for a Blessing of the Animals at 3 p.m. at First UMC of Gilbert at 331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert.
For more information, call (480) 8929166 or visit www.gilbertumc.org.
Join the Dignity Health Foundation East Valley on November 7, 2015 to support excellent cardiac care.
Volunteers and supporters are coming together for the annual Laughter is the Best Medicine Fundraising Gala –this year’s theme is Cruising for a Cause on the Love Boat.
Our team of heart and vascular experts require the highest training and the best equipment available because they have a most important job – letting your heart love longer. So please join us on November 7, 2015 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa to show your love for excellent cardiac care in the East Valley.
For more information on the gala or how to support Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers please contact the Dignity Health Foundation Office, 480.728.3931 or visit the website, www.laughterformedicine.org
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