Song of Gathered Worship

INTRODUCTION

WELCOME

Good morning and thank you for joining together in worship this morning.

Flexibility and understanding

a participant of our 1st service tested positive

they took the test Sunday after church after receiving word they were in contact

they received the results on Thursday and immediately let us know

For everyone’s health and safety we moved today’s service online

after being personally tested and talking with doctors at Advent Health we will hold services in-person and live-streamed next Sunday

NEXT SUNDAY

Before we jump into today’s passage I do want to remind everyone that next Sunday we will resume meeting at South Creek Middle School.

We will continue to have two in-person services (9:00 & 10:30 AM)

Livestream of our 10:30 AM Service

I’ve enjoyed meeting at the Park, even while battling the rain and wind and heat.

I’m also looking forward to returning to the school, especially so we can begin moving toward the ability to offer children’s ministry for our families with kids. You will hear more about these plans during our benediction today.

SERIES & CONNECTION

PSALMS OF ASCENT

Collection of 15 Songs sung by Israelites as they journeyed from their home to Jerusalem 3x / year.

The themes in these Psalms shaped their thoughts and emotions along the journey as only music can.

REVIEW

Week One | Song of Repentance

“In my distress I call to the Lord...”

Turn away from making our dwelling among people who rebel against God and begin the ascent to meet with God.

Week Two | Song of providence

Along the journey of obedience there are places of false hope and one place that is the source of true hope.

Psalmist asks and answers, “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and earth.”

TODAY | SONG OF GATHERED WORSHIP

Today’s song is both important and timely with some present JOY & CHALLENGES

Today’s psalm is a Song of Gathered Worship

JOY

As we continue recovering from a global pandemic, I believe that the majority of us have grown in our awareness, understanding and desire for the church gathered together.

Following months of being quarantined we intimately know the awkwardness of worship in front of the TV hearing our own voice. We know the distractions of trying to listen with family and life and distractions all around us. We know the longing of celebrating Communion together.

To gather in-person is a joy

CHALLENGES

Pandemic

Those who are at-risk who need to continue gathering virtually.

Reality is preaching on a Song of Gathering (1) people wear masks because of a global virus, (2) Many still need or want to join together online rather than in -person.

Transitions

We have families who have walked with us for years that move away and others who choose to journey on with a different group of people.

We have other people move into the area and choose to journey forward with this church family.

All this weighs on my heart as I sat in Psalm 122 this week.

READ & PRAY

THE GATHERED CHURCH (1-2)

GLADLY GOING

TOGETHER (They, us, etc…)

PS 121 “I lift my eyes...”

Now… “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

“I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID TO ME...”

Have you ever tried to exercise by yourself vs with a coach or teammate?

When it is just you in your own head the limits of your strength and endurance are much more shallow than when you exercise with someone who is pushing you further and faster. Together you are stronger and better than you would be on your own.

I believe it is the same in our spiritual journey.

Maybe I’ll just sleep in this morning. Maybe we don’t need to go to community group tonight. Then a spouse or friend gives you that nudge, ‘Come on, get up, let’s go worship with the family.”

I was GLAD when “THEY” said to “ME,” “Let US go...”

GLADLY WORSHIPING

“STANDING” - when the movement stops… ‘motionless, respectful, set in place.’

The “going” turns to “standing motionless”

This is when the movement ceases, the noise becomes quiet, the motion of life is stilled before the presence of God.

The joking and laughter,

tears and hurts,

fears and frustrations

all silenced and still in the presence of God

Can you imagine - walking with a group for 3 days

You’ve had great conversations

Some people got on your nerves

Kids are running around and can’t find their sandals - AGAIN!

Standing atop the Mount of Olives you overlook the city of Jersualem and the Temple. You walk through the one of the main burial grounds of people who have walked this path before, groove of olive trees, down into the Kidron Valley before making your ascent to the temple.

Out of breathe from the long journey and the recent short but steep climb - “Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jersualem!”

You turn to your friend - “Hey, thanks for asking me to come along.” I’m glad you said to me...

You stand at the entrance of the city - silent.

THE UNIFIED CHURCH (3-5)

BUILT & BOUNDED TOGETHER

EXPLANATION: THE CITY

Homes were fairly simple during the time and now you are approaching a city with stones stretching between 8’ and 24’ long. Stacked atop one another.

Forming the walls, gates, towers, and building of the city.

It is magnificient - every time it leaves you breathless

How did the architects fit stone together so precisely. The largest of cornerstones to the smallest of details carved into stone.

You see the a city BUILT & BOUND together standing adjacent to the your travel companions. - Who have also been BUILT & BOUNDED together along the journey to meet with God.

Unity and oneness

Eugene Peterson writes,

“The city itself was a kind of architectural metaphor for what worship is: All the pieces of masonry fit compactly, all the building stones fit harmoniously. There were no loose stones, no leftover pieces, no awkward gaps in the walls or towers. It was well built, compactly built, skillfully built, “at unity with itself.”

THE PEOPLE (TRIBES)

Like the various stones built together to form a single structure - so it is that that the various tribes of Israel, though different and unique, and unified and bound together in the presence of God.

Unity does not mean sameness

The beauty of the city of God is that different stones and different people are built and bounded together for one purpose - the glory of God

We need structure in our lives: we need one another - we cannot accomplish alone what can onlu be accomplished together

Kids without a sense of structure- have poor physical and emotional health according to the National Survey of Children’s health. Psychology Today says how structure improves a children brain. Structure and consistency are vitally important.

Adults need structure as well. When the structure is gone stress digs in a little deeper, sleep is more allusive, food is more frequently consumed, physical health begins to slip with irritation grows.

FRAME ILLUSTRATION

What if you life is a canvas, upon which the story of your life is painted. The wooden frame beneath the canvas is unseen but necessary.

Without it, you are simply flapping in the wind as the challenges of life blow through through your life in ever changing directions.

The Frame in our lives is:

Each other

Going to God together to worship

Standing in stillness, with others before a holy God.

OBEDIENTLY SURRENDERED

“DECREED...”

Feelings & Obedience...

we are commanded to be joined together

your feelings do not get to direct what is right or wrong

you can not be the church by yourself

Josh Moody

‘You cannot love the people of God if you are not loving any particular people of God.’

Gathering in worship is not just a good suggestion - it is a command.

Deut 12:5-7

English Standard Version Chapter 12

But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, 6 and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. 7 And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the LORD your God has blessed you.

Hebrews 10:25

English Standard Version Chapter 10

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.

Responding to the PANDEMIC

LOVE & UNDERSTANDING

High-Risk - for personal health concerns or that of close loved ones, it is necessary to gather remotely.

I want you to know:

You are missed

We understand and care about your well-being

Can’t wait till we can worship together in person.

CONVICTION

Lazy/COMPLACENT - easier, personal preference, maybe you think you’ll just catch the service later. This time away has diminished you view of the gathered church and confined it’s usefulness to something you merely consume online.

COMFORT - It may seem easier for time. More comfortable but you aren’t aware of the dangers of self-isolating. You aren’t at risk from the virus but you are at risk of spiritually and you don’t even realize it.

ANXIOUSNESS vs WISDOM -

YOU NEED THE BODY AND THE BODY NEEDS YOU

For those watching online...

I don’t know your heart or motivating. There are those who need to continue gathering virtually during this time and we understand and love you.

There are others who need to re-connect and join our in-person gatherings

I want you to hear me saying, “Come, let us go to the house of the Lord together.”

You are wanted and needed.

THE RESPONSIVE CHURCH (6-7)

This togetherness in worship extends beyond just the Sunday Morning gathering. It is more than a single day or single event. This is a lifestyle. a family that moves through life with unity and care for one another.

We see 3 ways that the gathered body responds.

PRAYS

Informal word for pray - this is why verses 6-7 seems to talk about life between Sundays and not just the word for prayer that would be used in a formal service.

Eugene Peterson

“It is the word Hebrews would use to ask for a second helping of bread if still hungry, or for directions if lost. Worship does not satisfy our hunger for God—it whets our appetite. Our need for God is not taken care of by engaging in worship—it deepens.”

DAILY: Pray for one another

PEACEFUL (SHALOM)

Shalom is as rich with meaning as the ocean is deep.

Calmness of external circumstances

Comfort of internal affection

Security and presence of the the best friends

The sweet contentment of fulfilled satisfaction

It is a work of God in the life man to bring about completeness and healing from our brokenness and need.

PRAYING FOR & PURSUING PEACE

Within in relationships with one another

Through our relationship to the community around us

As we surrender before God together through worship - we become a people of peace with one another and the world.

SECURE (SALWAH)

PRAYING FOR THE SECURITY AND SAFETY WITHIN THE BODY

A fortified city gives protection to its inhabitants

Assured Security to aleve fear in the darkness of night.

ARE YOU MOVING AWAY FROM PEOPLE, CHASING AFTER OTHER COMFORTS or STANDING MOTIONLESS, TOGETHER, IN AWE OF GOD

'Together, leaning on one another, forming a living temple of God

1 Peter 2:4-5

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ

CONCLUSION (8-9)

FOR MY BROTHERS & SISTERS

FOR MY BROTHERS & COMPANIONS...

'when you think of the church, do you think of yourself first?

what you can consume or get from the church, the body? How you can use the gifts of others to make your life easier or more comfortable - or - do you say, “for my companions” on this journey of faith

The American Church - tempt you to consume

The Christian Church - call you to surrender and serve

Matthew 23:11 ESV

The greatest among you shall be your servant.

WHAT IS THE POSITION OF YOU HEART TOWARD YOUR COMPANIANS AT CROSSPOINTE

FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

SEEKING THE GOOD OF OTHERS IS SECONDARY

It is not an end to itself

It is a means to greater end, a greater goal, a greater purpose

FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

The church exists for God’s glory

You can not be the church by yourself

CHECK YOUR HEART THIS MORNING

1. INDIVIDUALISTIC or COMMUNITY

Go it alone, do it myself, me, myself and I

together, not just for me, but for you, for my brothers and sisters

2. DISTANCED or BOUNDED

Pressing in, closing the gaps

Becoming something better together than we could ever accomplish alone

Everyone is feeling distanced right now

will you pull away or will you press in

3. CONSUMING or COMTRIBUTING

Are you only hereto consume, to be blessed yourself and then go on about your week

are you here to be a blessings to others - to serve and care

“Come, let us go and worship the Lord together!”