A Call to Gather

July 9th, 2024
by Rachel Burnham

A Call to Gather.

This summer, a small group of us have been committing to "working our worship muscles" several times a day. To get physically stronger, it takes consistent and intentional movement with resistance and getting spiritually stronger is really the same. Worship doesn't just happen without our participation. I deeply desire to worship the Lord so the logical thing to do was to set alarms in my phone to remind me to turn my attention to Jesus in worship and praise throughout the day. Just like going up in weight at the gym, there has definitely been some resistance along the way. With my best intentions, it was tough at first. Some days I was busy and my mind was distracted. I started to beat myself up about that but then I decided to take all of me into the presence of the Lord anyway. Every bit of me. He wasn't surprised by my scattered thoughts. He just wanted my whole, authentic self before Him. It's been really sweet to experience His lovingkindness in those moments. He brings order out of chaos so the more I yield to Him, the more peace He ushers in.

Often the Lord will give an invitation for the day during worship...Really it feels more of a call or summons. There's a call to surrender, a call to draw near, a call to repentance... . As I was praying in the sanctuary today, I felt the Lord say it's "a call to gather".

Gather- come together; assemble or take in from scattered places.

It's a time to come together. When everything in our society seems divided and separated, we, the Body of Christ, have the beautiful commission to gather together in love which is the perfect bond of unity. (Colossians 3:!4) We have been learning and maybe unlearning what the church is meant to be. We will continue that process because this matters. What we believe to be true effects everything about how we live and interact. I'm thankful to be on this journey with you and have the absolute generous gift of being free to worship Jesus in this time and in this place in history. So come. Bring your whole self in pursuit of the Lord's presence. His lovingkindness will meet you.

This Sunday during Power Hour 8:30-9:30am, we will gather together and pray as Holy Spirit leads. 9:30-10am we will gather in fellowship. At 10am we will gather to worship with song and psalms with a teaching following. Come expectant. I can hardly wait!

For His Glory,
Rachel Burnham

Click Here to work your worship muscle!

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17

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