“But the time is coming―indeed it is here now―when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
What a privilege it is to serve and worship God!!! I must confess that I think I’m a “worship service” junkie. On most weekends I attend a minimum of 3 worship services here at Washington Cathedral and what is amazing is that each one, although the same message, seems very different. Being a “meta” church (a family of churches); each service has its own style and appeal. Pastor Tim preaches the same power-filled message at each service, but it’s amazing how each service has its own personality.
Saturday night at 6pm is the Boulder Creek Congregation. This is a wonderfully casual church service. We have traditionally called this our “country church in the city” and it still has that appeal. When you enter into the atrium of the Spirit Falls building you are greeted by the aroma of fresh-baked cookies. Pastor Dale and Mamma Jane are there to greet you along with the other folks who call Saturday night their church. Pastor Tim often wears his cowboy boots and dresses casually. The people who attend are often coming from working in the yard or just stopping by after a picnic. For some, Saturday night is a perfect solution because they have other Sunday morning commitments. The children have a great Saturday “Sunday School” and there’s always a delicious dinner after the service.
Sunday morning at 9am is the Cathedral at the Falls Congregation. This is the most traditional of all of our services, but still has some elements of contemporary mixed in. Rhonda Jones and the Cathedral Choir comprise most of the music for this service which always includes traditional hymns and modern worship songs. Worship leader, Travis Graham, steps in to lead a couple of the worship songs accompanied by Rhonda and the Choir. There is what we call “liturgy light” which means we responsively read a Bible passage and recite together the “Lord’s Prayer.” Pastor Tim wears a robe as do the rest of the pastoral staff. This service is “traditional” to us not just because of the elements, but it is church the way we did it for many years when we had just one congregation. Kids enjoy the great Sunday school teachers at 9am who are dedicated to helping them grow in their love of Jesus.
Sunday morning at 11am is the Mountainside Congregation (Mountainside is the name we gave our Sanctuary in the ReCreation Center). This is our contemporary service and has changed the most out of all our services. Travis Graham is the Worship Pastor for this service and does an amazing job of leading the congregation is sweet yet exciting worship. He has brought in some of the musicians from his popular worship band, New Heights, and the sound is amazing. There is always a hymn, but it may be done in a new way with drums and guitars. The music is a little louder and the youth are involved in this service―the young families love it. Young children enjoy Sunday school at its best. . . “Radically Opposed to Boredom” is their motto. Children’s music programs are available during this service and the student ministries (grades 7-12) meets together at 10:30 am for breakfast and devotion time just prior to joining us in worship at 11:00.
The Rooted Congregation meets on Sundays at 6pm in Spirit Falls. The leadership team for this service is comprised totally of the young leaders in our church. It is a truly beautiful service. Travis and Katie lead about 30 minutes of sweet, sweet worship with piano and guitar. The lights are turned down low and there are candles covering the altar. Pastor Tim always shares the message with one of the young leaders who takes one point of the message and gives us their spin on it. The children’s program is awesome and I know from talking to the kids who are in it that they have a great time.
This is just one of the many things I love about our church―variety within the Body of Christ. Every service leads me closer to God and I have to say that I would have a hard time choosing which service is my favorite. I love worshipping with the Saturday night congregation; it is such a laid back, casual atmosphere. I adore worshipping with the 9:00 congregation; it feels like home to me being from a Lutheran background. I am totally energized worshipping with the 11:00 congregation; I love the music and being surrounded by the young people. You don’t have to be a total “worship junkie” like me, but I encourage you to find the service that fits your style and engage. You have been designed to worship God and to achieve your full potential as a Christ-follower! Besides- - - being a little bit of a “worship junkie” is not a bad thing.
Pastor Linda Skinner
1 comment:
I didn't even know "worship junkie" was a common phrase until I started looking online this morning, you see last night before service, a guy was talking to me and said why are you here, and I said we have another church but they don't have a worship service tonight, I said to him, I am guess the best way to put it is, i am a worship junkie, felt kind of odd saying that, so i looked it up today and found out that a few people consider themselves the same. Continue to press in my friend, you near a break through, just continue to praise Him, for in praise He comes and works, for He is welcome, just hold on a bit longer my friend.
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