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| April 29, 2001 |
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| "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are he people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day if ye will hear his voice." Psalm 95:6-7 In worship we express our love for God; we honor and adore Him, for He is our God and we are His people, under His care. We can worship God in public and in private, and my hope is that you are worshipping Him throughout the week in all circumstances of your daily lives. However, as we join together with our fellow brothers and sisters, faith and a feeling of gratitude to God for His blessings motivate our worship. Worship involves thanksgiving and praise. "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise" the psalmist invites (100:4). Worship includes great joy and yearning for God. "How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." (84:1-2) Sometimes these feelings are not as strong as they should be. But the more we worship with our fellow Christians, the more the joy will come through Scripture reading, the Lord's Supper, the pastor's message, prayer, hymns of praise, and the encouragement of fellow believers. Remember, we do not go to church because we have to. We go because we are children of God, thankful for what He did for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. So, let us join together today and every day a service is scheduled for the glorification of our Lord. Let us go to thank and praise God and receive new spiritual strength in Christ Jesus through Word and sacraments. God bless you as you join in worship today with a glad and thankful heart. <J><E><S><U><S>< <S><A><V><E><S>< |