Dear Sisters and Brothers,
    The Psalmist exults, "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together."  Ps. 34:1-3

    A basic practice of our faith in Christ Jesus is worship. In November we will lift up before you, the disciples of the Lord, this basic of the faith. 

    In September we encouraged you to consider prayer and we hope you are praying more richly.  October's basic practice of the faith was study.  Are you reading the Bible?  Would you still become a part of a Bible Study at Women's Circles or at the Men's Morning Study or on Sunday morning?  God would love to hear from you, to be more richly present to you, to have you open your mind and heart to him. Come, pray and study.  And worship, too.

    The old English word that has become "worship" once implied "worth-ship," and so to worship implied that the god one worshipped was truly worthy of one's exaltation and praise.  We often think about worship from our interest.  I'd implore you to simply ponder that God is "worthy" of every possible way and moment of worship that we can do and so much more worthy!

So with the Psalmist in worship let us magnify and exalt his great Name!

    I am so thankful for all of you who are every Sunday, or nearly so, worshippers!  Other than God himself and his Word and Sacrament, you are the backbone of this gathering community of saints.  I ask everyone to be very faithful in coming together to worship your Lord here in this gathered community of believers. 

    There are events that may keep us away from our congregation on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday evening in season, or Holy Week.  Perhaps it might be a non-negotiable work schedule, illness, or travel.

However, I do not think "it's not important to me," "I don't feel like it," "I partied too late Saturday night,"  "company is coming," etc. are usually valid reasons to choose not to worship our Lord.  If it's not important, isn't that a faith issue to be worked on, should our feelings dictate our basic responses to God, is my partying godly, could it be another night, could I get home earlier, do I sacrifice sleep for other important commitments, wouldn't bringing the company along give them a blessing too, or leaving them home give a witness about the importance of your relationship with God to you?  Think about it, pray about it.  Maybe this is a little harsh; then again maybe it isn't.

   Nevertheless, if we are followers of Jesus, a basic practice of us followers is to worship.  If you cannot be here, please find an alternate way/place/time to worship.  Perhaps you can have a service at home or on vacation with prayers, scripture, a meditation, a hymn.  There is so much you could do. Give a call if you need help finding some resources.  Or perhaps you can worship at a church with a different schedule.

   Also,  think of worship beyond our church worship services.  Worship daily with prayer, song, scripture, and meditation.  It can be a tough self-discipline to establish, but it is so fruitful and nurturing.  God will bless your efforts.
    And finally with St. Paul think of worship as all that you do in life and may it all be to praise and glorify our Lord.

    Blessed worship to you!   Pastor John