During the January series we're looking at 5 areas of our spiritual life in which each of us must take personal responsibility.

-January 3rd we covered the study of God's Word and the skill of Bible Reading.
-January 10th we looked at the need to seek God's face in which we looked at the skill of prayer.
-January 17th we learned why we should Share God's Message and the importance of the skill of witnessing to others about our faith in Jesus.
-January 24th we discovered how to grow in our ability to Serve God’s People (in our church and community) as we exhibit the skill of ministry.

We've also kicked off a year long Bible study plan called The Great Ones in which we read 1 or 2 key chapters a week. A bible study booklet that aids us in this reading plan can be purchased in CJ's for $2 each.

Today we wrap up the Do It Yourself series with the topic of Singing God's Praise - the skill of Worship.

The word "worship" is an Anglo-Saxon term that means, "to acknowledge the worth in someone or something and our resulting devotion."

In the Bible, the word worship is directed toward God and carries 2 primary meanings:

First - worship carries the idea of willingly bowing down in homage to a superior.
Second - worship implies the idea of obediently serving the person we bow before.

We see numerous examples in the Bible where these 2 facets of the definition of worship are either demonstrated by themselves or combined.
2 Samuel 14:21-22

Here at Grace Church we have a practical definition for the term "worship":
Worship is our response to God's greatness and goodness with our lips and through our lives.

The FOCUS of worship is solely on God - His greatness and goodness. It is not about a style of music, a version of the Bible, or certain rituals that make us feel comfortable.
King David emphasized the focus of worship in Psalm 145:1-2.

The ACTIONS of worship are with our lips and through our lives. These actions may be emotional, intellectual, physical, or spiritual.

This morning we are putting our definition of worship into practice with the ceremony of Communion.
The last night Jesus was with His disciples, He instituted a worship ceremony where they, and each Christian for the rest of time, could focus on all the Father had done for us.
1 Corinthians 11:23b-26

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, January 31 - Connor Odette
Tuesday, February 2 - Tammie Reid
Thursday, February 4 - Addison Ramey, Ordalea MacDonald
Friday, February 5 - Julie Jones, Adam Finkler