Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Now that we have been worshipping in our new space for a few months, you have probably noticed some changes. Nine years ago, I preached a sermon series on worship that talked about why we do what we do and how does that lead to mission. Of course since then, along with building a new worship space, we have had many new people join our congregation. Many who join our congregation do not come from Lutheran back-grounds. Sometimes, for those who are new, worship can be intimidating and confusing. Sometimes, for those who have been worshipping on a regular basis, worship can become stale and lifeless, especially if we are just going through the motions. Therefore, this sermon series will hopefully educate, inspire, invigo-rate, and bring meaning to what we do when we come together as a community of faith every Sunday morning.

According to Gathered and Sent: An Introduction to Worship, ―it all begins with God – creation, life, beauty, truth, service, joy, hope. Worship, too, begins with God. Certainly God has commanded worship, but even more at the heart of worship is the story of God‘s desire to love God‘s created world into abundant life. Wor-ship is where we meet that God – the God who created the heavens and the earth, the God who loved and wooed a stubborn and defiant people, the God who became flesh and lived among us… full of grace and truth‘ (John 1:14). Worship is not so much a place as it is an event, an encounter with the living God.

There are four parts to Lutheran worship: Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending. For four consecutive Sun-days beginning August 1st, I will preach on these four parts of worship.

August 1: Gathering… God calls and gathers believers through the Holy Spirit, and in response the commu-nity acclaims this gracious God in song and prayer.

August 8: Word… In the rich treasure of Scripture proclaimed by readers and preachers, the Church hears the good news of God acting in this and every time and place.

August 15: Meal… In thanksgiving, the congregation praises God for the gracious gifts of creation and the saving deeds of Jesus Christ through the breaking of bread and sharing of wine.

August 22: Sending… Worship on the Lord‘s Day ends with simplicity. The community receives the bless-ing of God and is invited to leave in peace, sent out to serve in word and deed. Please do not miss this opportunity to experience .

Worship: Why we do what we do and how does that lead to mission.

Pastor Gary L. Anholt