This site is a place where we can wonder about all things worship. People throughout the ages have been wondering…and debating over what constitutes worship. In this time and space we are no different. We wonder….we are curious about (to reference our church’s podcast!) what elements are faithful ways to worship God and which ones might be the work of the world and not have place in a worship service. Are modern songs ok or only traditional? Are we supposed to dress up? Should we sit quiet and be reflective or should we dance and praise? Should we use drums or organs? What part do the kids play? We could go on and on listing questions…and thus the point of this blog…so we can wonder together. We can let our imaginations run with God and see where God might be leading us next.

The first question we need to answer before even starting is “What is Worship”? Or maybe to expand – Who What Where Why and When….only then we can get to the “How” of worship! So I’ll start with “What”.

WHAT:
What is worship? Worship literally means “the work of the people.” Worship is the coming together of God’s people to give honor and glory to God. Now we have put a lot more into what worship is for us – but at its root – Worship is just that “the work we do in order to respond to God.” Worship is giving praise, honor, connecting our hearts and minds with God, celebrating God’s goodness. The bottom line – it’s about us responding to God. The Work of the People.

WHO:
That one is easy – Everyone is called to worship God. In Scripture we hear the call to give praise. To “sing a new song”. To “give honor and glory.” And even though Israel was God’s chosen people, God opened the door for ALL people. ALL people regardless of race, gender, sexuality, culture, faithfulness or not, history, action – there is not one thing that separates us from the love of God and now one identity that keeps us from being called to worship.

WHERE:
This one is easy too although sometimes we make it hard. Where? Everywhere! People have created worship spaces from the beginning of time to worship God but there is not one hard fast rule. In the Old Testament the people carried God in a box on some sticks everywhere they went – like a kings chariot. With fire to know God was still with them. They had God everywhere they went and worshipped where they settled down each time – becuase the people were nomadic. Prior to that they knew God was around when a pillar of God came upon them, or they went up a mountain (I guess feeling like they needs to get closer to the :heavens”? Sometimes people encountered God out on the trail and didn’t have a worship space so they created one. They would pile up some rocks and claim it as a holy space – making a monument to mark where they had encountered God. Later when people settled more they started creating worship spaces more formidable. They created the temple with areas that different types of people could go in – the most holy (priests and such) could only enter the inner most sanctum. This only grew and grew until it is today with churches, temples, cathedrals, and worship spaces all over towns. Some more traditional looking and some more informal. People have continued to debate for years what the right worship space looks like but it seems to me looking at scripture that God isn’t that interested in the actual space. God is more interested in our hearts and that we are actually coming to give praise and honor.

WHY:
Of course the why is because God is God! God commands worship right in the 10 commandments and they’re on out. We come to worship because God has created and continues to engage and care for God’s people. We worship because we are commanded to but also because we want to – to give honor and respect to the One who created and saves us.

WHEN:
Again scripture would tell us any time and all the time. We are called to worship and be connected to God at all times. We sort of follow creation – God rested on the 7th day. Now there’s a big debate on which day of the week is the 7th but the calendar as we know it in the western world is a recent creation so I’m not sure God actually cares which day is #7. The point is that one day was assigned for worship and not for work. Sunday morning at 11am came about because people used to be mostly farmers. And the animals were not going to wait to be cared for until after worship. In order for the farm chores to be done – worship was later in the morning to allow everyone to get there. We have taken that now to mean that 11am is a sacred time of some sort but there is nothing scriptural about it….and honestly most of us are not farmers anyrmore! Worship can be anytime!

HOW:
Now that’s the big question isn’t it?! That is what we will explore together in this blog. Join me as we wonder about it together….