04 Worship Together

Opening Song

“We gather to be formed in God’s presence so we can be sent into our community”

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

After greeting prayer: “Lord, open our eyes this week to those who are curious about faith.”

Announcements:

We’re not spectators here, we’re participants. Giving and filling out a Connect Card are practical ways to let us know you’re with us on mission.

You can complete a Connect Card at sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard or by using a green outlined paper Connect Card today.

Giving: You can give in the box, online, through the app, or by mail.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: ____

These are not events to attend — it is an environment to build relationships.

Prayer for...

Sermon

THE TENSION

(Why This Matters - Name the struggle)

We know how to attend church…but we don’t always understand what we’re doing when we gather.

So gathering becomes:

routine instead of formative

individual instead of communal

optional instead of essential

We’ve reduced worship to something we experience— instead of something God uses to shape us together.

MY STORY

(Relatable Entry Point - vulnerable authenticity - emotional connection)

Independent Faith Season: Thought I was doing well spiritually because I could worship on my own (music, quiet time, personal connection).

Faith became “just me and God” without realizing what was missing

Entered a season where I felt weak, unclear, or just trying to hold on.

Walked into church not ready to give—but heard others singing→ their faith carried me.

I didn’t just need personal worship—I needed a people→ others strengthening me when I couldn’t.

Reframing Worship: Worship isn’t just something I do→ it’s something God forms in us together.

Big Idea: We don’t just gather to worship God, we gather so God can form us into a people who reflect Him together.

THE SCRIPTURE

(Context, Characters, Read)

Ephesians 5:18–20 “18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

THE DISCOVERY

(What We See Unfolding — 3 Movements: What does this reveal about God? - What does this reveal about us? - What lie is being confronted?)

1. The Foundation: Spirit-Filled Worship

Ephesians 5:18–20

“Be filled with the Spirit…”

REMEMBER: Worship doesn’t begin when the music starts.

It begins with a life surrendered to the Spirit.

Corporate worship is not JUST where we come to get filled, it’s where what God is doing in us begins to overflow.

SUNDAY IS…

not as a starting point

but as a convergence point

Spiritual Formation is happening all week WITH THE HABITS/RYTHM we discussed last week… but when we gather, it becomes visible.

2. The Expression: Singing and Thanksgiving

Ephesians 5:18–20

“Addressing one another… singing… giving thanks…”

We don’t just sing to God, we sing to each other about God.

Singing is not performance—it is participation

Gratitude is not private—it is shared

Worship is not silent—it is expressed

When we sing, we are strengthening each other’s faith.

There are moments when you don’t have faith, and someone else’s voice carries you.

3. The Purpose: Mutual Encouragement and Edification

Hebrews 10:24–25

“Stir up one another…”

Worship is not complete until it impacts someone else.

We don’t just gather with people— we gather for people.

to strengthen

to encourage

to call out faith

to remind each other who God is

Spiritual Community is not just connection, it’s formation through one another.

This is how missionaries are formed, not in isolation, but in community.

4. The Commitment: Faithfulness in Gathering

If gathering was optional, Scripture wouldn’t warn us about neglecting it.

You can’t become who God has called you to be… apart from the people He’s called you to walk with.

Reframe attendance:

Gathering isn’t about checking a box— it’s about placing yourself where God forms His people.

Every time we choose to gather, we are declaring: “I need the body—and the body needs me.”

IDENTITY SHIFT

(Who does this reveal God to be? Who does this reveal us to be?)

Who we are:

We are not isolated worshipers—we are a Spirit-formed body.

We are a people who strengthen one another, carry one another, and are formed together into the image of Christ.

We are a worshiping community on mission, not just individuals having spiritual moments.

Who God is:

God is not just a Savior of individuals—He is a Father forming a family.

He is a reconciling God, who brings people together by His Spirit and dwells among His people, not just within them.

Illustration (Interactive: The Coal and the Fire)

Let me show you this.

Look at someone next to you—just for a second.

That person beside you… is part of how God strengthens your faith.

Now imagine trying to follow Jesus… without anyone around you.

No voices. No encouragement. No one singing truth when you don’t feel it.

That’s like a single coal pulled out of the fire.

It might glow for a little while… but eventually… it fades.

Look back at that same person.

This is the fire.

Not perfect people… but a people God uses to keep faith alive.

When we gather like this, this isn’t just a service— this is where God keeps the fire burning.

PRACTICE OBEDIENCE

(Next Steps - Application)

1. Show up intentionally

Don’t just attend—arrive ready to participate, encourage, and engage.

2. Use your voice for others

Sing, not just for your connection with God, but to strengthen someone else’s faith.

3. Move toward someone

Before or after service:

encourage someone

pray with someone

step into relationship

4. Pursue reconciliation

Ask: Is there someone I need to forgive, restore, or move toward?

5. Carry worship into your week

Live out what we practice:

love others intentionally

serve someone practically

be aware of those far from God

Transition to MUSIC TEAM:

When we gather:

The Spirit fills us

Our voices unite

Our faith strengthens

And our lives are shaped together

This is not just about a better Sunday— it’s about becoming a different kind of people.

Psalm Invitation Psalm 95:1–6 “1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

INVITATION: “Come, let us sing… let us make a joyful noise… let us come into His presence with thanksgiving…”

This is the invitation of God— not to worship alone… but to worship as one body, one voice, one people.

God doesn’t just want worshippers, He is forming a worshipping people.

And when a people are formed together…they become a people who are sent together.

Because what God forms in this room… He intends to carry into the world.

Worship Thru Music

Commissioning:

This week, build one relationship. Pray for one person far from God.

Worship doesn’t end when the music stops—it continues in how we show up for one another and how we live on mission.

Who has God placed in this body to strengthen your faith, and who is He asking you to strengthen?