Dover Assembly of God
2.23.2020 | Worship - Week 4 - Worship In Hard Times
Locations & Times
Dover Assembly of God
4790 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA 17315, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Welcome!
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February 23, 2020
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donuts
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministries
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT
Saturday
6:30 pm ~ Saturday Night Spanish Service
UPCOMING EVENTS
New Life for Girls
New Life for Girls will be ministering NEXT WEEK, Sun, March 1 during the 10:30 service. Be sure to come to support them and bring someone who needs to hear their testimonies. We will provide a luncheon following the service. A love offering for their ministry will be taken. Please sign up in the lower foyer to join us for the luncheon.
New Wednesday Night Youth Series
Emerge Youth has begun a new video series on Wednesday nights entitled "Who Is The Holy Spirit?" taught by the AG's National Youth Director, Josh Wellborn. Each week will tackle common questions about the Holy Spirit, helping students to fully understand the Holy Spirit and His role in their lives. All students are invited to join us for this series Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm.
Men's Breakfast
All men are invited to be a part of monthly breakfast. Join us at Lyndon Diner on Rt 30, Saturday, March 7 @ 8:00. Please sign up in the lower foyer.
Women's Bible Study
The ladies will begin studying the book: “Jonah-Navigating A Life Interrupted” The study will begin at 6:30 pm on Monday March 9 and run every Monday until April 13.The cost for the book is only $13.00. Please sign up in the upper foyer if you would like to join us. All women are welcomed to attend.
Daylight Saving Time
Mark your calendars and set your alarm clocks! We turn our clocks ahead on Sunday morning, March 8. That means we all LOSE an hour of sleep. But I know we will all be bright eyed and bushy tailed that day, especially since that is National BGMC Day and the ROCK Kids will be ministering in the service.
National BGMC Day
National Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) Day is Sunday, March 8. Be sure to mark your calendars as our R.O.C.K. kids will minister in the morning service. Please return your BGMC boxes that day.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Mar 1 ~ New Life for Girls & Luncheon
Mar 7 ~ Men’s Breakfast at Lyndon Diner
Mar 7 ~ R.O.C.K Kids Practice in Sanctuary
Mar 8 ~ National BGMC Day
Mar 8 ~ Daylight Savings Time begins
Mar 9 ~ Women’s Bible Study begins
Mar 21 ~ Women’s Spring Tour
PRAYER NEEDS
Please take time to review and pray for those on this list. Drop them a card or call to set up a time to visit. They will be blessed!
~ Gladys J.
~ Beulah S.
~ Olga K.
~ Marian T.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
March 1 ~ Dustin Wible
March 3 ~ Reid Vought
March 5 ~ Myiah Eaton
March 8 ~ Bonnie Portner
March 9 ~ Beulah Shellenberger
March 13 ~ Xander Wible
March 17 ~ Mary Stephens
March 18 ~ Angel Landis
March 19 ~ Loralei Wible
March 19 ~ Sherry Sheely
March 20 ~ June Tolbert
March 22 ~ Lee Jones
March 25 ~ Eric Miller
March 25 ~ Harry Portner
March 30 ~ Gil Tunney
March 6 ~ Chad & Angel Landis
March 17 ~ Keith & Robin Housseal
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donuts
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministries
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT
Saturday
6:30 pm ~ Saturday Night Spanish Service
UPCOMING EVENTS
New Life for Girls
New Life for Girls will be ministering NEXT WEEK, Sun, March 1 during the 10:30 service. Be sure to come to support them and bring someone who needs to hear their testimonies. We will provide a luncheon following the service. A love offering for their ministry will be taken. Please sign up in the lower foyer to join us for the luncheon.
New Wednesday Night Youth Series
Emerge Youth has begun a new video series on Wednesday nights entitled "Who Is The Holy Spirit?" taught by the AG's National Youth Director, Josh Wellborn. Each week will tackle common questions about the Holy Spirit, helping students to fully understand the Holy Spirit and His role in their lives. All students are invited to join us for this series Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm.
Men's Breakfast
All men are invited to be a part of monthly breakfast. Join us at Lyndon Diner on Rt 30, Saturday, March 7 @ 8:00. Please sign up in the lower foyer.
Women's Bible Study
The ladies will begin studying the book: “Jonah-Navigating A Life Interrupted” The study will begin at 6:30 pm on Monday March 9 and run every Monday until April 13.The cost for the book is only $13.00. Please sign up in the upper foyer if you would like to join us. All women are welcomed to attend.
Daylight Saving Time
Mark your calendars and set your alarm clocks! We turn our clocks ahead on Sunday morning, March 8. That means we all LOSE an hour of sleep. But I know we will all be bright eyed and bushy tailed that day, especially since that is National BGMC Day and the ROCK Kids will be ministering in the service.
National BGMC Day
National Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) Day is Sunday, March 8. Be sure to mark your calendars as our R.O.C.K. kids will minister in the morning service. Please return your BGMC boxes that day.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Mar 1 ~ New Life for Girls & Luncheon
Mar 7 ~ Men’s Breakfast at Lyndon Diner
Mar 7 ~ R.O.C.K Kids Practice in Sanctuary
Mar 8 ~ National BGMC Day
Mar 8 ~ Daylight Savings Time begins
Mar 9 ~ Women’s Bible Study begins
Mar 21 ~ Women’s Spring Tour
PRAYER NEEDS
Please take time to review and pray for those on this list. Drop them a card or call to set up a time to visit. They will be blessed!
~ Gladys J.
~ Beulah S.
~ Olga K.
~ Marian T.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
March 1 ~ Dustin Wible
March 3 ~ Reid Vought
March 5 ~ Myiah Eaton
March 8 ~ Bonnie Portner
March 9 ~ Beulah Shellenberger
March 13 ~ Xander Wible
March 17 ~ Mary Stephens
March 18 ~ Angel Landis
March 19 ~ Loralei Wible
March 19 ~ Sherry Sheely
March 20 ~ June Tolbert
March 22 ~ Lee Jones
March 25 ~ Eric Miller
March 25 ~ Harry Portner
March 30 ~ Gil Tunney
March 6 ~ Chad & Angel Landis
March 17 ~ Keith & Robin Housseal
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Connect with Dover Assembly as we connect to God, build people, and offer hope. Keep up to date with the latest news and events, watch our latest videos, and more all within our app!
https://doverassembly.com/appThank you for your faithfulness!
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https://doverassembly.com/give
Week 4 - February 23, 2020 - Pastor Jeff Bender
We're going to finish up this series on worship in a different vein. I think that up to now, most of what we talked about worship was predicated on our lives being mostly okay.
It’s easy to understand why we worship, to whom we worship, why we raise our hands, clap, bow before God, worship in spirit and truth when things are going okay. And most of the times, it is pretty easy to do. We are able to put aside our weekly routine and focus on God.
But what happens when our lives aren’t good and we’re not okay? What happens to our worship when things seem to be falling apart and we are in the middle of the fire?
What about when tragedy hits? How easy is it then to worship? Do we really want to worship? Will worship really help?
It’s easy to understand why we worship, to whom we worship, why we raise our hands, clap, bow before God, worship in spirit and truth when things are going okay. And most of the times, it is pretty easy to do. We are able to put aside our weekly routine and focus on God.
But what happens when our lives aren’t good and we’re not okay? What happens to our worship when things seem to be falling apart and we are in the middle of the fire?
What about when tragedy hits? How easy is it then to worship? Do we really want to worship? Will worship really help?
I want to differentiate between a real tragedy and hard times and things that are inconvenient.
~ Getting the flu is inconvenient.
~ Car breaking down is inconvenient.
~ Having a minor fender-bender is inconvenient.
I’m talking about life changing tragedy.
~ You get a terminal diagnosis.
~ Your child has been admitted to Children’s Hospital for a serious issue.
~ Your house burns down and you lose everything.
~ Someone close to you dies unexpectantly.
These are the times when our natural reaction might be to NOT want to worship.
~ Getting the flu is inconvenient.
~ Car breaking down is inconvenient.
~ Having a minor fender-bender is inconvenient.
I’m talking about life changing tragedy.
~ You get a terminal diagnosis.
~ Your child has been admitted to Children’s Hospital for a serious issue.
~ Your house burns down and you lose everything.
~ Someone close to you dies unexpectantly.
These are the times when our natural reaction might be to NOT want to worship.
What does God have to say about these hard times?
Think of someone you know who has experienced a real tragedy and through it all, they were still able to keep their faith.
There are some of you here today. You’ve been through the wringer and you came out with your faith intact. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.
I’m sure there were times of doubt and pain.
Do you think that being able to worship God even in their pain was most of the reason they kept their faith?
Let’s look at David’s life. Going back to his best known sin, with Bathsheba. You know the story. But what happens after everything is revealed?
Think of someone you know who has experienced a real tragedy and through it all, they were still able to keep their faith.
There are some of you here today. You’ve been through the wringer and you came out with your faith intact. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.
I’m sure there were times of doubt and pain.
Do you think that being able to worship God even in their pain was most of the reason they kept their faith?
Let’s look at David’s life. Going back to his best known sin, with Bathsheba. You know the story. But what happens after everything is revealed?
I don’t want to get into God’s punishment coming on the baby, but I want to look at David’s response to the pain.
We see David’s anguish and I’m sure we can all identify to a point with how he is feeling.
How many of us know young parents who have experienced SIDS? Miscarriages?
Circumcision would have been performed on the 8th day and he didn’t even make it to that.
They had the baby for a week. Enough to bond with him/her (we don’t know). And David spent that week pleading with God, but God said no.
How often have we prayed for safe travels for our kids and yet they have accidents? We pray for miracles and God doesn’t come through like we want? Can you get a small picture of what David is experiencing?
I have not been through the death of my children. But I can only imagine the pain and heartache that come with it. It would be the worst for me, I think. And after that, you might not even want to worship at all.
David likely had a similar feeling, but what amazes me is how David responds. How would we respond?
How many of us know young parents who have experienced SIDS? Miscarriages?
Circumcision would have been performed on the 8th day and he didn’t even make it to that.
They had the baby for a week. Enough to bond with him/her (we don’t know). And David spent that week pleading with God, but God said no.
How often have we prayed for safe travels for our kids and yet they have accidents? We pray for miracles and God doesn’t come through like we want? Can you get a small picture of what David is experiencing?
I have not been through the death of my children. But I can only imagine the pain and heartache that come with it. It would be the worst for me, I think. And after that, you might not even want to worship at all.
David likely had a similar feeling, but what amazes me is how David responds. How would we respond?
He wasn’t cold-hearted. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about the baby-we just saw how he pleaded with God. He knew the only person to help him through this hard time, this tragedy, was God.
How would we respond in this same situation? It’s at that point that we are going to be faced with a choice.
God’s Holy Spirit is pulling us towards him. God is telling us to come to him, and trust Him. Even in your pain and hardship, even when you don’t feel like it. Let God be God to you.
And at the same time, the enemy is pulling us away. Telling us to blame God, to not trust God. Knowing that the situation won’t change, what will we do.
For David, the baby wasn’t coming back, we see David say that very thing.
How would we respond in this same situation? It’s at that point that we are going to be faced with a choice.
God’s Holy Spirit is pulling us towards him. God is telling us to come to him, and trust Him. Even in your pain and hardship, even when you don’t feel like it. Let God be God to you.
And at the same time, the enemy is pulling us away. Telling us to blame God, to not trust God. Knowing that the situation won’t change, what will we do.
For David, the baby wasn’t coming back, we see David say that very thing.
After he spent time in worship, God was able to begin the healing process in David. Life goes on after tragedy, and the only one to really help us cope with that is God.
When real tragedy hits, there is little or nothing that we as believers can say to help. Sometimes it’s just better to make yourself available, but not offer any advice, because, many if not most times, there is no stock or pat answer that any of us can give.
In times like these we need to just maybe shut up, because when we try to explain it away or try to excuse God in the situation, you are denying that person the one thing that can actually help them-time alone with God.
Let God be God to them.
We are not God. Nothing is worse than a well-meaning Christian telling us it’s part of God’s plan, or God needed another angel, or worse, that we must have sinned or stepped out of God’s will, or that if we had enough faith, this might not have happened.
People experiencing tragedy need time alone with God. Even if it’s to vent to God, or cry before God, or maybe take time to worship him.
When David heard the news, he didn’t dance into the tabernacle. He most likely didn’t sing upbeat songs. I’m sure he was still mourning, still feeling the pain, but he chose to focus on God.
When real tragedy hits, there is little or nothing that we as believers can say to help. Sometimes it’s just better to make yourself available, but not offer any advice, because, many if not most times, there is no stock or pat answer that any of us can give.
In times like these we need to just maybe shut up, because when we try to explain it away or try to excuse God in the situation, you are denying that person the one thing that can actually help them-time alone with God.
Let God be God to them.
We are not God. Nothing is worse than a well-meaning Christian telling us it’s part of God’s plan, or God needed another angel, or worse, that we must have sinned or stepped out of God’s will, or that if we had enough faith, this might not have happened.
People experiencing tragedy need time alone with God. Even if it’s to vent to God, or cry before God, or maybe take time to worship him.
When David heard the news, he didn’t dance into the tabernacle. He most likely didn’t sing upbeat songs. I’m sure he was still mourning, still feeling the pain, but he chose to focus on God.
We know that every aspect of a Christian’s life is worship -- Giving, serving, witnessing, praying-all acts of worship.
But we have been focusing these past few weeks on the music aspect of worship. Why does music and especially story-songs and love songs affect people so much? Why do certain songs really resonate with people?
Because the lyrics express a feeling or emotions that you have and now someone else feels the same way. “They get it!”
Another reason is those lyrics express something that you couldn’t get a handle on. Someone else put your feelings into words and it connects.
Worshipping God through music allows us to put into words things we may not be able to express ourselves because of the pain.
You don’t want to worship. You may feel that nobody understands. But some of the songs we sing might be exactly what connects with you at that time.
Someone else’s word are able to capture the feelings you have deep inside. And now you can express those to God.
But we have been focusing these past few weeks on the music aspect of worship. Why does music and especially story-songs and love songs affect people so much? Why do certain songs really resonate with people?
Because the lyrics express a feeling or emotions that you have and now someone else feels the same way. “They get it!”
Another reason is those lyrics express something that you couldn’t get a handle on. Someone else put your feelings into words and it connects.
Worshipping God through music allows us to put into words things we may not be able to express ourselves because of the pain.
You don’t want to worship. You may feel that nobody understands. But some of the songs we sing might be exactly what connects with you at that time.
Someone else’s word are able to capture the feelings you have deep inside. And now you can express those to God.
David’s worship didn’t change the situation. He still lost his baby. But I think he needed God to take away the hurt and the only way he knew to do that was to worship.
We’ve mentioned before, that when we sing in worship, the bad morning we’ve had fades away.
Don’t we feel the same way when tragedy hits? That God is the only one able to take away the pain? People can be there if needed, but we can never take away the pain. Only God can do that.
Maybe the worship lyrics allow you to say to God, things that couldn’t come to your mind at the time. But now those songs are the ones I needed.
And through that worship, God is able to help you in your pain.
We’ve mentioned before, that when we sing in worship, the bad morning we’ve had fades away.
Don’t we feel the same way when tragedy hits? That God is the only one able to take away the pain? People can be there if needed, but we can never take away the pain. Only God can do that.
Maybe the worship lyrics allow you to say to God, things that couldn’t come to your mind at the time. But now those songs are the ones I needed.
And through that worship, God is able to help you in your pain.
Last week we ended the sermon with “It is Well." The author had to put into music and lyrics, exactly what he was feeling in his heart.
Maybe he wrote that, not feeling that way at the time, but believing that as he sang it, God would minister to him and allow those words to become truth to him.
Let's look at the first verse . . .
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It seems that God had to get him to this point.-He didn’t say it right off the bat, but that through time spent with God and prayer, he was finally able to say, It Is Well.
And this lesson isn’t about me making you worship. It’s not me telling you “what you need to do now is thank God for your pain and worship him. Tell him that you appreciate the pain and that you know he has a plan and your suffering is what is best for you.”
That’s not what I am saying. I’m saying that God is the only one to help you in your tragedy and pain.
And if you really want help, spending time with God is the only way to get it.
Maybe he wrote that, not feeling that way at the time, but believing that as he sang it, God would minister to him and allow those words to become truth to him.
Let's look at the first verse . . .
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It seems that God had to get him to this point.-He didn’t say it right off the bat, but that through time spent with God and prayer, he was finally able to say, It Is Well.
And this lesson isn’t about me making you worship. It’s not me telling you “what you need to do now is thank God for your pain and worship him. Tell him that you appreciate the pain and that you know he has a plan and your suffering is what is best for you.”
That’s not what I am saying. I’m saying that God is the only one to help you in your tragedy and pain.
And if you really want help, spending time with God is the only way to get it.
Thank you for joining us!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media @doverassembly! Have a great week!
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