“Worship is delighting in the love of God.” (Jerry Haas)
“Worship is an encounter with the living God through the risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, who moves them to worship in diverse ways according to their needs.” (United Methodist Book of Worship)
“Worship is the gathering of God’s people around Word and Sacrament. Here the community affirms its calling, receives gifts of grace, is nourished and strengthened, and sent back into the world to love as God loves.” (Michael W. Foss, ELCA pastor)
Each worship service contains these basic elements: Entrance (coming together in God’s name for prayer, praise, music, and song), Proclamation and Response (scripture, preaching, music, offerings of gifts, prayer, and service for the world and for one another), Thanksgiving and Communion (in services in which Holy Communion is not observed, thanks for God’s mighty acts in Christ are shared), and Sending Forth (God’s people are sent into ministry with the blessing of the Lord).
As we enter the fall, I celebrate the following:
- Our music staff of Neal Hamlin, Director of Music, Brenda Portman, organist and Chris Schaljo, our new worship leader for Worship @ 11. Neal and Brenda continue to bless us with their strong musical ability and their commitment to serve Christ with excellence. Chris comes to us with a Masters of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with strength in a variety of music styles including jazz, blues, and gospel. The first gathering for “The Gift,” the musicians who will serve at Worship @ 11, will be held on October 3.
- Our faithful ushers, greeters, hospitality servants, Viox staff, sanctuary care volunteers, and many who step forward to welcome people into God’s house each week.
- Our congregation who longs to be a community church who reaches more people for Christ and is committed to expanding worship offerings to connect with more people from our neighborhood through worship. By Christmas we will offer three styles of worship: 8:00 and 9:30 am: Liturgical and Traditional; Worship @ 11, a new worship expression with various styles of music, and Over-the-Rhine Community Church, the new church start where contemporary and gospel music blesses worshipers.
- Upcoming Vision gatherings, held on Sunday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 7, where Doug and I will share a vision for where God is leading us in 2016.
This Sunday, we will look at what it means to live God’s grace as United Methodists. Come and join us as we celebrate our heritage and what it means to follow Jesus daily.
May God richly bless you this week!
Peace,
Pastor Cathy Johns