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A Worship Matters message from Rev. Donna Dinsmore for April 28's Sunday Service:
What are we doing when we’re worshipping?
Yes, singing, praying, listening, thinking.
Perhaps nodding off if you didn’t get a good sleep on Saturday night!?
But deeper. What is going on inside of us? Around us?
Singing is a deeply human activity, isn’t it. We breathe differently,
our vocal chords vibrate differently, we listen differently when we’re singing.
Praying is a deeply human activity, isn’t it, and we often believe we’re not very good at it.
It doesn’t help that we aren’t really sure what we’re doing when we’re praying.
This week during worship we are going to sing prayers and listen to prayers.
Our words and sounds will be directed toward the Mysterious One we call God.
We are going to listen to a story and wonder about Jesus of Nazareth, the reason
why we call ourselves a Christian Church.
We’re going to sing encouragement to each other, pass peace to each other.
And so much more!
What will be going on inside of us and around us?
Let’s look for peace. Joy. Connection. Reality. Love.
Let’s expect to encounter the risen Christ in prayer, in Scripture, in each other.
We don’t want to miss any goodness, right?
Hope to see you Sunday morning.
Please read the Jesus story below in preparation. It is my favourite Jesus Story. I have named the woman Rhoda and the worship leader Hank. Put yourselves in their shoes as you read. I wonder what it would have been like to be there.
Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And just then
there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was
bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called
her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13 When he laid his
hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the
leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept
saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on
those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him
and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his
donkey from the manger and lead it to water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter
of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage
on the Sabbath day?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and
the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.
(Luke 13. 10-17) NRSV
Our Sunday Services
Join us for Sunday service at Lynn Valley United Church! Every Sunday at 10:30am, LVUC opens its doors to welcome the entire community for the shared experience of worship. Young, old, single, families, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit; there's a place for you here and all are truly welcome! At our church, all means all, regardless of society's labels or where you've journeyed previously.
We Gather
We're a community filled with friendly people. During each service, we take a few moments to greet one another and acknowledge their presence, a cherished practice referred to as 'passing the peace'.
We Sing
Music is a huge part of our Sunday service! You can join in and sing along (lyrics are featured on large screens throughout the space) or just sit back and enjoy.
We Listen
Every Sunday, there is a themed sermon (usually about 20 minutes long) which is designed to inspire and encourage you for your week ahead.
Live Stream on YouTube/Previously Recorded Services
Unable to make it in person? Each Sunday, you can watch our services live streamed on our YouTube channel or check out previously recorded sermons.