Element Christian Church
Week 3: Songs of Ascent - Worship
Locations & Times
Element Christian Church
4890 Bethany Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
Welcome to Element
We strive to ensure the biggest thing people think when they hear about Element is Jesus! Element is a Gospel centered community who finds our identity in Jesus.
New to Element? Need prayer? Just want to connect?
Click the link to fill out our Digital Connect Card so we can know you were here and send you a "Welcome" email.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/295918Gospel Community Meet and Greet
The time has come for all those currently not in a Gospel Community to find out exactly what they are, who they consist of and how to join one! You will walk out having a better understanding of what a GC is and knowing what your next step is.<br><br>September 26th following each service in the barn
The Weekender
Sign up here to participate in The Weekender October 8-9th, 2021<br>The Weekender is a 2-day event intended for anyone who wants to move beyond simply attending services and explore how to get better connected. Friday night includes dinner with staff, elders, and other leaders, as well as an introduction to Element’s vision and core values. On Saturday morning, we’ll share the theological beliefs that shape those values, how your role and spiritual gifts can fit within our community, and answer any questions you might have.<br>While attending The Weekender is a prerequisite to becoming a covenant member, attendees are not required to become members. Childcare and meals will be provided both days.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/283258Pumpkin Killing!
The cannons are back!<br><br>Join us at Orcutt Hill (New Love Picnic Grounds) for pumpkin launching, carving, painting and eating! We will also have hot dogs, hamburgers and pumpkin pie!<br><br>October 24th 1:30-4p<br>Help needed! Talk to Sarah today!
Sign up to help with Pumpkin Killing
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/298570Church Center - the app
Free in your phone's app store and a huge resource to stay in touch with Element! Download today!
All the things
We mention all sorts of links throughout service, this is a summary of all of them in one place! Find our YouTube, eFamily's YouTube, ways to connect and more!
https://linktr.ee/ourelementFrom the very beginning of the Scriptures, we see that God built us to be worshipers, it goes deeper than our DNA; worship is the fabric of our existence. Creation was made to glorify God because when God is most glorified, we live in the most joy. Once we begin to understand that our lives do not make sense apart from worship, we will take more seriously what we worship. There is a quote that has been attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will come out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping, we are becoming.” Chaim Stern wrote, “The gods we worship write their names on our faces.”
1 - We worship because we need to be in relationship with God
2 - We worship because it keeps our attention centered on God
3 - We worship because it re-center us on the Gospel
Day 1 Reflect: When was the last time your “heart leaped for joy” as you worshiped God?
Pray: Pray that God would grow a deep joy within you that translates to a life of worship.
Day 2 Reflect: The psalmist says gratitude is the mark of God’s people… what are you grateful for? What marks your life as a worshipper?
Pray: Thank God for the gifts He has given you out of His great love. Ask God how you can show your gratitude toward Him and other people.
Day 3 Reflect: In what ways does your city/country/world need peace? What is your role in that?
Pray: Pray that God would use you as peacemaker wherever you are and that He would continue to capture and transform hearts for good.
Day 4 Reflect: “I’ll do my very best for you.” Understanding our salvation is by grace, honestly ask where in your life can you “do better” as an expression of worship? What needs to change?
Pray: Ask God for the strength and wisdom to make changes that will better reflect a life in submission to Him.
Day 5 Reflect: In what ways do you become like that which you worship?
Pray: Pray that God would help you to turn from false gods and fix your eyes on Him, that you would be made more like Him.
What did/have you missed about worshiping corporately (as a large group) in the midst of Covid?
How has your understanding/definition of worship changed or evolved over time?
What are some of your favorite characteristics of God?
What would it mean to redefine the more mundane aspects of your life as worship?
Based on your behavior/habits, what are you worshiping? If not God, then what?
What acts of love can we live out together in worship?
Who would people say God is based upon how you live?
How do you show something has worth?
How does the inner essence of worship result in our external expression?
If you assess your life, what do you worship by acts of your mouth? What do you worship by the acts of your body?
How different would your relationships be if you were more readily worshiping via acts of mouth and body in all areas of life?
How can we repent of the things that are not of God?