Happy Thursday!

Everybody sing…”Walkin’ in a winter wonderland…” This has to be the most beautiful snow I have ever seen. It has fallen so fast that after you walk in it the falling snow covers it up and it is beautiful again. This afternoon, Travis and Bruce crafted this amazing snowman in the front yard. I think it is about 10 feet tall or better. They did an awesome job in this creation. Travis was in the process of building this snowman and our little neighbor girl brought over a carrot for the nose. Travis was very touched. Speaking of Travis, please pray for him in the morning as he has to open the store at 5:00 am. The temp is supposed to drop and he will be driving on frozen snow to Starbucks.

Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Hebrews 12:28 “Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please Him, with reverence and awe.”

At Advent Lutheran Church there are two worship services on Sunday mornings. There is a traditional liturgical service from the worship book and there is a praise and worship service with a band, praise team and contemporary music. The praise and worship service is a more relaxed and informal worship service. (It is my personal favorite and the one in which I participate.)

For the last two Sundays both worship services have been held in the gym due to repairs being made in the sanctuary. There is some consideration as to whether to leave the praise and worship service in the gym. A less formal service in a less formal place…There are varying opinions as to this question. I love the service in the gym and would love to see it remain there. There are those who do not agree.

Whether we agree on the site for worship is not near as important as the point that we worship God in Spirit and Truth. What is important is that our worship is rooted in the Word of God. Are the songs praising God and giving thanks? Is the Word embedded in our songs? Is the Word being read and being reflected in the sermons and prayers? Are we remembering the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation out of His love for us?

We are made in God’s image and the most pleasing worship we can offer to God resides in one place. We must worship God from our heart.

Take joy in the journey. To all those who will be out on the roads tomorrow I pray you will safely arrive at your destination and back home again. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.