Dear friends in Christ,

 

               “Be there!”  We often hear that phrase when someone curtly tells us that it is important for us to attend an event or meeting.  Something important will be happening or something meaningful will be talked about.  It will be to our benefit.  We need to attend and not miss it.  Be there!

              

               We might also apply this phrase when we are talking about our worship life at church.  Why?

              

               Be there... for your family.  As parents and grandparents, we are the primary role models for our children and grandchildren.  They look to us for examples of how to behave, what is good to do, and what is right.  I often joke to folks that I fit in the story about those who have had a “drug” problem.  When I was young, my parents “drug” me to church.  They “drug” me to Sunday School.  They “drug” me to weddings and funerals at church.  They “drug” me to meetings and rehearsals at church.  But seriously, those times at church became a part of the fabric of who I am.  Church became my second home.  And along the way, I learned so much about my God!   I learned about my sinfulness, and I learned about God’s forgiveness.  I would have not grown in my relationship with Jesus if I had not been there.  I thank God that I had parents who decided to be there and make sure that I was there, too.  Today, as a father, I practice the same philosophy.  My children are “drug” to church the same way, sometimes much to their chagrin.  It is my prayer that they will grow in their relationship with the Savior, too.  So I encourage and pray for you, also, to be there for your family!

 

               Be there… for yourself.  We have good intentions to personally stay in the Word daily, but there are so many distractions at home and in the world.  If we expect to be fed spiritually, we need to find a good, steady, always-there source for our spiritual food.  The Word and Sacraments are found in worship services.  God’s love and forgiveness is the main entrée weekly!  If we are in need of solace, we can find it here.  If we need to speak to our Lord, He is there.  If we need the support of our fellow Christian friends, they are there!  And on the flip side, we can be there for them when they are in need as well.  Taking care of ourselves spiritually is important, and I pray and hope that each of you would feel the same about your spiritual health.  So I encourage you to be there for yourself!

 

               Be there… for your God.  Worship is a two-way street.  Sure, we go to worship to be fed, to benefit our own being.  But part of worship is also giving praise and thanks back to God for all that He has done in our lives.  God delights in our worship!  Our music and worship is a sweet sound in His ear.  Have you ever noticed that so much of our worship is actually repeating back to God the words that He has provided us in His Word?  Look up the sources of our liturgy and you’ll see that we are simply saying an “I love you” back to God.  “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life!”  (John 6:68)  What a way to pour out our love for Him!  He has and continues to do so much for us.  We can certainly glorify Him with our worship.  So I encourage you to be there for your God.

 

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  Deuteronomy 6:7

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  Colossians 3:15-16

 

Kings of the earth and all peoples,

    princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and maidens together,

    old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for his name alone is exalted;

    his majesty is above earth and heaven.  Psalm 148:11-13

 

The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.  Psalm 147:11

 

I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  Psalm 146:2

Hope that we can BE THERE together in worship!

Scott Kamman​

Music Director