Going Through the Motions
I think we’ve all been there. Maybe it’s your job. Maybe it’s school. Maybe it’s your family routines. Maybe it’s your faith. Maybe it’s your entire life! There are always times when life feels predictable, routine, and ritualistic. There are always times when it feels we are doing nothing more than going through the motions. We’re tired of the routine. Tired of the rat- race. Tired of religion. But what can we do? What can get us out of the doldrums? What can make our lives fresh and vibrant again?
The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day were guilty of going through the motions too. In fact, they had turned a relationship with God into mere rules, laws, and legalisms. They turned the Ten Commandments of God into 613 specific religious laws – 365 of them prescribing what you could not do! For them, faith in God was all about keeping black and white rules. The only problem was: Their hearts were not in it. Their hearts were far from God. And Jesus called them hypocrites because of it.
Rather than be like the Pharisees or merely go through the motions of our lives, I suggest we do a heart check to see where our hearts are in relationship to God. Sunday’s message, “Heart Check,” will help us do just that. In it, we’ll take a deep look at Mark 7:1-8 and consider three areas of your life that may need evaluating. Where’s your heart before God? Do you sometimes feel life is boring, dull, and nothing but routines? Could it be that Jesus offers us so much more when we put our hearts into it?!
A time of refreshing for you and your heart awaits you Sunday morning as we resume our two-service worship schedule with a 9:00 Traditional Worship Service and a 10:45 AM Contemporary Worship Service. Traditional worship is more liturgical and offers hymn singing by organ and piano accompaniment. Contemporary worship music will be led by our “Spirit of Grace” praise band and tends to be less formal. Both services feature a biblical message, lively worship, warm friends, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
We also have the privilege of sharing in the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services this Sunday. Pre-packaged, individually-wrapped elements will be handed out as you enter the sanctuary. Prepare your heart for worship and get ready to be revived, renewed, and refreshed by the healing power of Jesus in our midst. Where two or more are gathered in his name, he has promised to be in their midst. May God’s peace, power, and presence be upon us all this Sunday as we worship Him in Spirit and truth!