For this week's blog I thought I would answer one of Pastor Mark's discussion questions- which asks how we can pursue a deeper relationship with God.
For me personally right now that looks like attending a prayerful, interfaith and international walk in solidarity with the people of Gaza Saturday morning- called Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage- with some of my family. The pilgrimage is not only to walk in solidarity but is also a call for a sustained ceasefire, immediate humanitarian aid, food and water, as well as other calls for peace.
In preparing to write this blog God revealed something very special to me. As a worship leader, I often to refer to Romans 12:1&2 to help create a posture of surrender, and remind people about what scripture says about worship. It says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." (NRSVUE). I often reference the Message version of this verse because it points to even offering God the mundane of your day-to-day life. I've always loved that. God meets us even in the mundane.
What God revealed to me, is that worship doesn't stop there. Offering God your life and creating a posture of surrender, is only the beginning of worship. The rest of chapter 12 in Romans talks about the body of Christ, and love in action. It talks about clinging to what is good and hating what is evil. It talks about living in harmony with one another, empathizing with each other, feeding each other, honoring one another. Romans 12 is worship in action. This is my journey to the cross with Jesus. And it's an invitation for anyone's journey to the cross with Jesus: Love in action. Worship in action.
As I join the many folks on this pilgrimage with my baby- navigating when and where to feed him, navigating the weather, figuring out transportation, etc. I will be thinking and praying for the moms navigating the same things in horrifying circumstances, crippled with fear. I'll be thinking of Jesus, carrying his cross. I'll be praying for love in action.
This Sunday Pastor Mark will kick off our new sermon series, "Walking With Jesus in the Wilderness".
He says, "We are currently in the season of Lent on the church calendar. Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. Lent is often described as a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God. The three main things people focus on during Lent are prayer, fasting and giving, or charity. Jesus took 40 days to fast and at the end of His time, the devil tried to distract him by telling him to turn the stones into bread. Similar to Jesus there are lots of distractions that keep us from going deeper in our relationship with God. However, Lent is the perfect season for us to identify the distractions in our lives and remind ourselves to keep our focus on God. Let us remain committed to pursuing God together during this Lent season as we journey towards the cross with Jesus. "
Join us Sunday morning at 10:30 in-person or online as we study Matthew 4 together, and as Pastor Mark says, "Journey towards the cross with Jesus".
Peace be with you church,
Chelsea Maitland
Worship Leader