Category

Just as God “dwelled among” the Israelites by means of the tabernacle, so now in a far greater way God dwells among us in Christ (John 1:14). Jesus is the new temple – the point where we experience and connect with God. This does not eliminate the need for church! (contrary to... Read More →

The first place Jesus goes (taken by his parents) after his birth is to church! They go to the temple to fulfill the sacrificial requirements of the Old Testament law. There they are met by Simeon and Anna, who have been in the temple awaiting what God would do. It is in the... Read More →

Thanksgiving! Psalm 100 says to “enter God’s gates with thanksgiving,” and numerous Psalms are an expression of thanks to God. Psalm 65 is a thanksgiving psalm, depicting the joy of coming into God’s temple with an appreciation for God’s blessings. Colossians likewise urges us to... Read More →

Psalm 100 says to come into God’s presence with singing. Biblical worship has always included song. Music in worship is not for entertainment, but is a profound form of expressing our praise and glorifying God. Significantly, the book of Revelation repeatedly depicts scenes of... Read More →

Water in the Bible is a symbol for cleansing and purification. It was used in this way in the Old Testament tabernacle/temple, and again was instituted by Jesus as a profound symbol of salvation in the sacrament of Baptism. It is also a symbol of life. Water in worship reminds us... Read More →

The book of Hebrews says that Biblical people of faith saw themselves as temporary sojourners on earth, and were looking forward to “a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” As we join in worship, we always look with expectant hope toward what God will do, and we trust in our... Read More →

In the building of the tabernacle, as described in Exodus, the people offered their very best—their best talent, and their best materials. So much that Moses had to tell them to stop bringing offerings! In worship we are inspired to bring God our best. This does not mean that we... Read More →

The vision of Ezekiel (as well as the passage from Job) shows that God is beyond our comprehension and beyond words. Worship helps us to embrace the mystery of God, to be receptive to a deep level of Reality that is beyond our understanding. We often want to have everything... Read More →

People throughout the ages have sensed that they should bring offerings to God. We are moved through worship to honestly give, and to do so generously, with sincere hearts. Read More →

God leads people not into private religion but into a community of faith. This was true in the Old Testament; and in the book of Acts, the first thing that happens after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is that people join in a community of faith together – the church. Worship... Read More →

Christian faith means becoming a part of a salvation story; therefore our worship involves telling the story, and moves in the cycle of church seasons through the central story of Jesus. We are invited to find our place in the story. The video “It’s Our Time” was created by... Read More →

The function of sacrifice in Biblical worship as a means of atonement. Ultimately, Christ is the final atonement for our sins and the way by which we can receive complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Read More →

Through Christ, the final high priest, we are all made into “priests” in that we all have direct access to God, and we are all called to be leaders in particular ways, to be instruments of God’s grace in the world. Read More →

Fire symbolizes multiple aspects of God. It is mysterious.  It is dangerous – one approaches with respect and caution! At the same time, it provides warmth and light, guiding one’s way through the dark. It is powerful. Thus Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)... Read More →

Food has played a role in all religions, sometimes as a form of offering, and sometimes as a means of fellowship. The Scriptures call for an authentic “holy meal” in communion with Christ, and we are also drawn to include the Lord at our table throughout the week. Read More →

Human beings have always been drawn to create sanctuaries, which are strikingly different from the space around them, and people have often devoted their greatest effort to those spaces (e.g. Stonehenge, cathedrals, the tabernacle/temple). Sanctuaries remind us that we need ... Read More →

The Scripture calls us to “come into God’s presence” (Psalm 100:2).  But is not God always present?  Yes, but people are often preoccupied with other things. So the Scriptures urge us to “come awake” (Matthew, Romans, Ephesians) to God. Worship is a movement of awakening and... Read More →