Pastor Nick : “Loving Living Worship”

LOVING LIVING WORSHIP

Pastor Nick Quient

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24 (NRSV)

Moving forward is a scary thing sometimes. Nolan is very close to taking his first steps independently of holding onto the sides of things, and I can see it in his eyes: he’s a bit nervous and apprehensive. It is something new for him, even if he is comfortable moving around while holding onto mom or dad.

I wonder if that is how many of us feel as we gather in-person. I know I have felt wonder and nervousness as we’ve met in the sanctuary, and I stop and I think: we’ve been worshipping for the last 16 months together! Our worship does not commence when we enter the sanctuary at 51 W Olive Avenue—our worship began the moment we woke up. Living worship is a daily spiritual reality, where we try to answer the question, “Where is God in everything I do?”

It is a big question. Such a question asks us to be mindful of what we do in the mundane things of life—the things we often take for granted. Things like playing with Nolan in the sanctuary. Things like watching your kiddos plays sports. Things like singing in church with friends and family. I think God takes a lot of delight in the little things we do, especially if we can see his work in such things.

For Christians, worship is not only an activity we do on Sundays. Worship is embedded in our daily lives, our daily rituals, how we treat friends and family and strangers—how we live reflects how we worship God, and how our entire selves are dedicated to God. How can we take worship and give it new life? How can we take delight in singing together again?

Whatever we do, may we do so in Spirit and in Truth, worshipping God with wonder and joy as we continue forward in-person together.