Play Work Worship

Play, work and worship  are parts of nearly everyone’s life. We give significant time to each of them. However we are often confused about them.  Several years ago, I read this quote, “Most middle-class Americans tend to worship their work, to work at their play and to play at their worship,” by Lutheran Pastor Gordon Dahl.  The current sermon series at Resurrection is based on this quote.  Last Sunday, August 23, we examined the meaning of WORSHIP (Listen to the message here). This Sunday we will explore PLAY and on Sunday, September 6, we will look at WORK.

What Worship is NOT

In today's culture, we often approach worship as a form of entertainment or optional play.  Pastor Larry Peters writes on his blog;“What is most damaging to us, however, is when we play at worship; when we treat God as a hobby or distraction from the routines of work and play.

"It is obvious that worship for many has become entertainment and worship has become theater. Too many Christians sit in their theater style seating around a stage to watch a show, to witness great performers, to hear dramatic music, and to have fun.

"Too few of us expect to give ourselves into what we do on Sunday morning. Too many of us expect to come waiting to get and generally settling for what makes us feel good or makes us happy.”

What Worship IS

Worship is meant to focus our attention, our hearts and minds on God, first and foremost.  Jesus said “Strive first for the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Matthew 6:33. Worship has both individual as well as collective dimensions. We can worship God together on Sunday morning and we can worship God as individuals in our daily spiritual practice of prayer, Bible reading, and/or devotions.

One metaphor for worship is that it is a time to reset our G.P.S. position: our God Position System. Just as the Global Position System on our phones needs to connect to satellites in order to get a proper fix on our phones, worship is a time to reset our connection to God and God’s path for us. Worship reminds us of the grace, power and beauty of God’s love.

So what is Play?

This Sunday we will explore the function of play in our lives. Dahl contends that as Americans we “tend to work at our play.” As an example most adults no longer use the word “play” when they go to exercise; we more often call it “working out.”  Play and leisure have dropped out of our adult vocabulary because they seem too frivolous and extraneous. Coaches tell their team, “Stop playing around and get to work!” Sports have become less about play and more about serious achievements.

Yet psychologists are calling us to reconsider the role of play in our adult lives.  Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Play can be a form of rest and restoration for our work weary souls.

Join us this Sunday as we look at PLAY in our lives.

Pastor John Keller

A Gift for You! ~ A Blog Post by Ron Freimark

How a gift is wrapped may indicate something about the giver! Givers may want to show you how much they care about you, so they take time to make the gift attractive and impressive. On the other hand, some givers have neither the talent nor the patience for such a thing, so they present a gift that looks rather mundane! How a gift is wrapped does not determine its value, however! A thousand-dollar gift has the same value whether it is placed in a shoebox or wrapped with beautiful paper.

I have a gift for you, a spiritual gift! It is an opportunity for a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ! This gift is wrapped in the trappings of the Alpha course that we do try to make attractive and easy to open. However, let me be clear: it is not the trappings of the Alpha course itself that is a panacea for everyone in the church. Rather, it is the gift of the Holy Spirit who enlightens us, who makes light what was dark and leads us into a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ! How this happens in the Alpha course is amazing! It is a ministry opportunity more exciting than I encountered in all 40 years of my fulltime pastoral ministry! That is why I am willing to give my time to direct the Alpha course and share this gift with anyone who may be willing to receive it!

If you feel a spiritual vacuum in your life, or if you are searching for a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to unwrap the gift presented by the Alpha course. This 10-week course held on Monday evenings from September 21 to November 23, 6 – 8:15 pm, demands a chunk of your time, I know, but your life will be greatly enriched! It is non-threatening! You will neither be put on the spot to answer questions nor be expected to know your way around in the bible!

Here are some testimonies from past participants: 

• My faith has grown so much! I’ve learned so much about myself, my faith and my love for Jesus.
• Alpha made me want to dip back into the Bible.
• I have fewer problems with tough questions now. 
• I was a doubter but now I am interested and committed. 
• I have a stronger relationship with Jesus. 
• I had a questionable faith w
• With a longing to find a purpose in life; through Alpha my life has changed for the better.   

To “get a taste of Alpha” I invite you to attend the Alpha Introductory Dinner on Sunday, September 13, 6 pm at our church. Be our guest, please! It will be helpful if you tell us by September 10 if you are coming so we may be prepared. 

Sign up here for the dinner and Alpha course, or use the registration form in the Alpha brochures at church.  Pray about it, tell a friend, attend together, share on Facebook, use hashtag #TryAlpha, etc.  It begins with you - I hope you unwrap the gift!

Written by: Ron Freimark, Alpha Coordinator

Rise Up Together - A Student's Perspective

Initially going on the trip I was very anxious and tentative but I quickly got comfortable with everyone. I guess a 10 hour car ride will do that to people.

The first day in Detroit was very overwhelming; it was the first night of the ELCA Youth Gathering and we got to see what state the city of Detroit really was in. What I thought was very interesting and inspiring, was everyone still seemed very proud of their city. My favorite part of Detroit was moving 51 water-filled tires with Leslee Donovan. 

We then trekked to Chicago and it was so much different than Detroit. I never thought Chicago had 2 such distinct sides. There is the tourist side, ya know - Navy Pier, Lake Michigan and Millennium Park - which is obviously not where we were helping out. I also thought the place we helped was a richer more wholesome side of Chicago; one that does have more crime but also more pride in their city. They love their city! Working at the homeless shelter was a very eye opening experience. It made me change the impression I have of homeless people forever. Everyone always thinks that all homeless people are either crazy, drug addicts, or criminals. That's not the case at all. Obviously some are, but there are plenty of homeowners that are also crazy, drug addicts, or criminals. 

I was hugely impacted this trip with my faith, friends and just thoughts on life.  For example, what am I doing to make today better than yesterday? This trip really showed me the power of friendship and God, and with them both you can conquer anything you set your mind too. I had so much fun and I think my favorite parts of Detroit were the spoken word artist Natasha T. Miller.  She was so powerful and real and overall just amazing! I also loved the member of The Temptations who came with a few others and sang some classic Mo-Town songs. 

My favorite part of Chicago was just all my friends who were there to care for me when I needed their help and support - Thanks Squad. My other favorite part of Chicago was working with Johanna at the homeless shelter in the musty basement. 

After all of this, I would definitely recommend going on the next mission trip to anyone who's even marginally considering it. Do it!  I promise you, it will change your life for the better. 

Written by:

Adrian Schmalz