- Next Worship : Sunday at 09:30am
The idea of dedicating a child to the Lord can certainly be found in the Bible. Hannah was a barren wife who promised to dedicate her child to God if He would give her a son (1 Samuel 1:11). Luke 2:22 begins the account of Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple after forty days in order to dedicate Him to the Lord. This was slightly more involved since it involved a sacrifice, but once again this ceremony did not indicate any level of salvation.
Marriage is given, that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in need and in plenty, in sorrow and enjoy. It is given, that with delight and tenderness they may know each other in love, and, through the joy of their bodily union, may strengthen the union of their hearts and lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children may be born and nurtured in accordance with God's will, to his praise and glory.
"Christian service," then, is the response made by a regenerate soul unto the Lordship of Christ, the voluntary and hearty subjecting of himself to His dominion, the carrying out of His revealed will. In a word, it consists of obedience unto God: not merely in one particular or direction only—but in a full and entire obedience. Christian service is a running in "the way of [His] commandments" (Psalm 119:32), an acknowledging Him "in all [our] ways" (Proverbs 3:6); and that calls for a diligent searching of the Scriptures, that we may ascertain the details of His will and discover those things which are pleasing or displeasing unto Him.
Praise flows from a thankful heart, in which God is Glorified
Worship is always a response to revelation, never a result of mere observation. It is the expression of our response to the Father's presence whatever form and outward demonstration it takes, it is a Divine cycle of giving and receiving.
In all things, the church must desire that Christ be lifted up and that the lost are reached and that the saved be discipled to the glory of God.The bottom line is that only God can clarify what a church should do in all its spending and planning. However, there are a few important things that can be agreed on. It is reasonable for a church to plan ahead and to be sensitive to the growing needs of the church family. It is also reasonable to imagine what could be accomplished in reaching others for Jesus Christ if the facilities were available.
We meet to hear from God, with the help of his Spirit, as the bible is explained in clear understandable language and applied to life as we know it today. Respond to God by singing and praying together. Love, encourage and help each other as we live under the Lordship of Christ.
