Why Does God Demand We Worship Him?

[0:00] If any kids would like to come up and sing, they're welcome to join us. This is the day that the Lord has made.

[0:18] Let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made.

[0:33] Let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made.

[0:47] Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hi, welcome to Pendleton Center Church.

[0:59] We are the Menahem. If this is your first time here, be sure to pick up a welcome bag at the connection site or the welcome and information desk. I hope everyone will put their name on the friendship card that is in their bulletin.

[1:11] If you would like to receive the church newsletter or need to update any information, be sure to fill out your address and phone number. On the back, you can write prayer concerns, blessings, or notes to the staff.

[1:23] Please enjoy the service and have a good day. And we are very glad to have you here with us this morning. There are two clipboard opportunities for ministry going around the church this morning.

[1:34] One is for our Vacation Bible School. If you'd like to help with that, we'd love to have you. It's going to be about superheroes, so we'd love to have you help sign up for that. I did want to mention, by the way, that we need hot dogs for everything, picnics, picnics, and everything.

[1:48] Now, last year, they made me announce this like 16 times, so, you know, new people thought all we do is ask for hot dogs. So, you know, if you could help with that, that'd be great. A package of hot dogs goes a long ways, and you'll probably eat quite a few of them.

[2:00] So, if you could help with that, that'd be great. But the hot dog and car wash sale today... Yeah, that's canceled because it's kind of raining. So, it's going to be rescheduled for some time.

[2:11] In the meantime, there's a clipboard being passed around for donations for the chicken barbecue that is this Saturday. So, if you could be willing to donate some items for that, but also purchase tickets to buy a dinner.

[2:24] There will be tickets available in the fellowship hall following service. And the chicken barbecue is, again, to support the youth mission trip, and that is this Saturday. Shall we pray? Dear Lord, we thank you for this day, and we pray your blessings upon us, that you'll touch us and just sear into our lives in such a powerful way that we feel the fire of God in this place today.

[2:46] Bless us, move us, give us your passion and grace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. If you weren't aware of it, you've wandered into Music Appreciation Sunday, so you're going to have a lot of great music this morning, and we're going to start with our youngest ones.

[2:59] Thank you. I'll see you next time.

[3:30] There are just some things that are out of my control. Sometimes I'm late. Sometimes I'm home. Sometimes I'm bad. Sometimes it's when things are gone.

[3:45] Sometimes I'm driving with my school phone. There are just some things that are out of my control. The one thing, zero, then I'm going to get nothing up and go to my end I'm going to say that I always give me number I know God's with me, God's with me Sometimes I'm cold, sometimes I'm hot Sometimes I'm sweet and I'm good with snob Sometimes I'm dark, no dirty, I'm purple There are just some things that are out of my control But when things get a little hard to end up and nothing goes my way Sometimes I'm sweet and I'll always give me comfort I know God's with me, God's with me

[4:49] Sometimes I'm cold, sometimes I'm hot Sometimes I'm sick and I'm gripping with snot Sometimes I've got no jelly on my roll There are just some things that are out of my control Cause my hands are filled with snot And if you're able, as we worship together singing, come Christians, join to sing!

[5:26] if you're able, as we worship together, singing, Come Christians, Joy to Sing. Come Christians, Joy to Sing. Alleluia, Amen.

[5:50] Loud praise to Christ our King. Alleluia, Amen. Let all with heart and voice before His throne rejoice. Praise is His gracious choice. Alleluia, Amen.

[6:12] Come, lift your hearts on high. Alleluia, Amen. Let praises fill the sky. Alleluia, Amen.

[6:25] He is our guide and friend. To us He'll condescend. His love shall never end. Alleluia, Amen.

[6:40] Praise yet our Christ again. Alleluia, Amen. Life shall not end the strain. Alleluia, Amen.

[6:55] On heaven's blissful shore. His goodness we'll adore. Singing forevermore. Alleluia, Amen.

[7:10] The Lord be with you. Take a moment, if you will, and greet your neighbor with the peace of the Spirit. I'd like to invite our children to come up if they'd like to join me.

[7:23] Amen. Our children to come up if they're like it's offering at them.

[7:40] Any kids want to come up and join me? Come on up, guys. Come on up, guys. You know what this is? It's a vacuum. That's right.

[7:53] Now listen to it. Doesn't work very well, does it? You know what's wrong with it? Poor little battery's just about dead.

[8:06] Yeah, this is what it's supposed to sound like. That's better, isn't it? I could suck you all up with it. Yeah. Yeah. You know, see, the difference is this battery's fully charged, and it's an ion battery, which means this thing, this baby's got power.

[8:23] And the reason it's got power is because it can hold a charge, and I charge it every single night. Okay? That poor old battery, he's pretty much dead. You know, this is what happens to us.

[8:35] If we go to worship God, we get recharged. We get excited. We remember God is in our lives, and our lives are great. If we don't, we become like that poor old battery, forgetting all about the wonderful things God wants to do for us.

[8:50] Okay? So we want to be like that, right? Filled with the power of God. Okay. Are any of you guys thankful for anything? You want to share something? Raise your hand.

[9:01] Pastor Sherry's bringing a mic. She's coming. My dog's dabbing. Right over there. Oops. Sorry. Food.

[9:13] Dogs. Pastor Sherry, right here. Family and friends. Lord, we are, thank you, for our family, our friends, for the people in our lives, and the pets in our lives.

[9:24] Bless us today. Bless us always with the joy of the Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Okay, you guys can go out to church school. All the kids are welcome to go out to church school now if they'd like to. Amen. Good morning.

[9:47] Good morning, big joy. Isn't it an amazing day to praise the Lord? You know, Pentecost Sunday, that's what we are celebrating today. You see all the, yeah? About the flames of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples of Jesus in power and enabling them to go out into the world and preach the gospel and get everybody else on fire for Jesus.

[10:08] Amen? Amen. Pentecost Sunday. Have you caught that Pentecost Sunday is my favorite day on the church calendar? It is because that's the day that God comes into us and that we remember all that God has done in us and through us for the work of the kingdom of God.

[10:26] Let's bring our gifts, tithes, and offerings as we celebrate all God is doing in our lives. Let's bring our gifts.

[11:01] Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts.

[11:31] Let's bring them just to Kan país. Let's give their gifts. Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring my gifts. Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts.

[11:48] Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts. Let's bring our gifts. I'm here upon this earth, I'll build, I'll build my church, my church upon this rock, this rock, this solid rock, this rock.

[12:09] And we say, you are the Christ, you are the Son of the living God. You are the Christ, you are the first begotten Son, born from the love, the love of heaven.

[12:21] And we are the church, and we will serve and glorify, we are the church, to be the living sacrifice offered to you through all we are.

[12:34] And so our love, our love, our love for Christ, for Christ, will be the cause, the cause, the reason why we live our days, our days, to walk in faith, in faith, faith in the rock, the solid rock.

[12:58] Show the note now. You are the Christ, you are the Son of the living God. You are the Christ, you are the first begotten Son, born from the love, the love of heaven.

[13:13] And we are the church, and we will serve and glorify, we are the church, to be a living sacrifice offered to you through all we are.

[13:24] desenvolvered by the voice of heaven,ф Upon this rock, I'll build my dear room on this earth.

[13:40] I'll build my church upon this rock, this solid rock. I'll build my church upon this rock.

[13:56] I'll build my church upon this rock.

[14:26] I'll build my church upon this rock.

[14:56] I'll build my church upon this rock.

[15:26] I'll build my church upon this rock. Lord God, bless all of the gifts that you have poured out into our lives. Stir them up that we may use them well for the furtherance of your kingdom.

[15:40] Bless all we offer you this day. In Jesus' name, amen. Please be seated. Amen. And we want to announce in prayer and in Thanksgiving that there will be tea this Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock to honor and remember the life of Claire Boleslaw.

[16:06] It's to be a tea and so that we can celebrate her life. And everyone has been asked to bring their favorite teacup to celebrate all together.

[16:18] So that will be a blessing, I know, for all who are looking forward to spending that time together. And we want to lift up Jim Phillips' mom, Betty Jean. She's 94.

[16:29] Jim tells me he's not sure if she fell and broke her hip or if she broke her hip and fell. They're not sure how that all happened. But she is in need of our prayers for healing.

[16:40] And he's asked for prayers for his dad as well, who is very shaken up by Betty Jean's accident. So with these concerns and joys and those that are on your heart, let's turn to the Lord in prayer.

[16:54] You're welcome to join me at the rail. Our gracious Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning.

[17:10] We're so grateful that you have given us the opportunity to pray, to lift up those things that are on our hearts.

[17:22] We know that you rejoice with us as we rejoice, and that you mourn with us when we mourn, that you are concerned with us over all those things that we are concerned about.

[17:36] We just ask, Lord God, that you would bless all of those folks who are sick and infirm. Touch them with your healing power, Lord God, in whatever way it is that you know is necessary for them to be whole.

[17:54] Touch them in their spirits, their souls, and their bodies. Make them well, Lord God. Draw them close to you. Lord, we pray in Jesus' name for all of those who are grieving losses.

[18:09] We just pray in Jesus' name that you would fill them with your compassion and your peace. Let them know that they are held in the palm of your hand, that your loving arms are wrapped around them.

[18:26] Lord God, we pray that as people remember those in their lives whom they've loved for so long, but who have gone on from this life, we just pray in Jesus' name that they would have blessed recollections, that they would be filled with the understanding of how that person or those people in their lives have impacted who they are, made them to be in part the people that they are today because of being blessed by that relationship.

[19:08] Father, we pray in Jesus' name for all those in your world who don't know you. We pray that as we celebrate today with songs of praise, with music of all kinds, that these songs are prayers that go out into the world.

[19:34] They go out into the atmosphere and are spread all over our community. We pray, Lord God, that people would hear the songs of praise that we sing today, that the song that you birth in our hearts because of all that we sing in worship will go out with us, that everyone around us will see the joy, that everyone around us will be blessed by the music that you have put in our hearts, that we would be bold and pour it out wherever we go.

[20:19] Lord, we pray now for all of our music ministries as they encourage us, as they uplift us. We ask that you would continue to bless them, help them, Lord, help them to hear your voice as they continue in their ministry.

[20:42] We pray as we continue in praise and worship this day, Lord God, that you would fill us and empower us to go forth and do all those things you've called us to do, to be the people you've called us to be, Lord God, people of Pentecost, people who have received your Spirit and who allow your Spirit to be poured out from us.

[21:06] Be with each one who is ministering this day, those who speak forth the Word of God, Pastor Tom, as he comes forth to offer the Word you have given him for us this day, and all of our ministers of music.

[21:20] Lord God, we pray that all of our worship would be a blessing to you, even as you bless us through it.

[21:33] That is why we came, Lord, to glorify your name. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Shall we hear from the Word of the Lord?

[21:45] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[22:18] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[22:32] Amen. Amen. Amen.

[22:46] Amen. Thank you.

[23:16] Thank you.

[23:46] Thank you.

[24:16] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

[24:30] For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

[24:44] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and those members do not all have the same function, so is Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

[25:00] We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. If it is serving, then serve.

[25:13] If it is teaching, then teach. If it is to encourage, then give encouragement. If it is giving, then give generously. If it is to lead, do so diligently.

[25:25] If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love.

[25:38] Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

[25:52] Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice.

[26:05] Mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. This is the word of the Lord.

[26:28] All eyes have seen the glory of the calling of the Lord. He is trembling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.

[26:41] He has loosed the faithful lightning of his terrible storm. His truth is marching on.

[26:54] In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea. With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you.

[27:29] As he died to make men who are in need. As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free. While God is marching on.

[27:41] He is coming like the glory of the morning on the way. He is wisdom to the mighty. He is coming like the glory of the morning on the way.

[28:11] He is wisdom to the brave. He is wisdom to the mighty. He is honor to the brave. So the world shall be his worst. And the soul of wrong is slave.

[28:24] For God is mighty done. Glory, glory, glory, hallelujah.

[28:36] Glory, glory, hallelujah. Glory, glory, hallelujah. His truth is marching on.

[28:54] Glory, glory, hallelujah. Thank you. Thank you.

[29:09] If you're going to be depressed, you've got to keep your head down. If you're going to praise the Lord, you've got to keep your head up. Amen? Amen? In the book of Luke, Jesus says, You shall worship the Lord and worship Him only.

[29:28] Why does God demand that we worship Him? We're going through questions people have asked about God. These are actual questions from our congregation. Why does God demand we worship Him?

[29:40] Does He have an ego problem? Is He low in self-esteem? Is God troubled by the fact that He doesn't feel good about Himself, so He needs us to come and praise Him?

[29:52] This passage says, Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship. Worship is the only thing that defines the people of God as something different than other organizations.

[30:11] Other people get together to have fun and play together. Other people get together and learn and do things together. Other people get together to teach their children lessons. Other people get together to help people out in the world.

[30:22] But the people of God come to worship God. And that's what defines us as being different. We worship God because it reminds us we're not God.

[30:39] Verse 3 it says, We can get so caught up in our lives, so caught up in our world, so caught up in who we are that we start to think that the world exists for us.

[31:06] Even God exists for us. God, why haven't you done for me what I've asked you to do? What's your problem? Get down here and do your job. Take care of me.

[31:18] Worship reminds us we're not that person. We're not the center of the universe. And it matters not just for our lives, but our lives together. Live in harmony with one another.

[31:29] Don't be proud. Be willing to associate with people of low position. Don't be conceited. Anybody think we have a problem with conceit in our culture? Are you talking about today? I just came back from annual conference where Methodists got together.

[31:43] These are good Christian people. And all they did was argue with each other about what they thought was more important and how they knew the truth that the other person couldn't possibly know, even though the other person has Christ in their lives.

[31:55] Do we go into a conversation in our world? Do we go into discussions? Do we look at the situation of the world and try to figure out the truth that God wants to reveal to us?

[32:07] Or do we go there to tell everybody what we already know because we already know everything? Everything. I learned everything by the time I was 16. I knew everything.

[32:21] As we get older, we realize how little we really know. But it's that conceit, that sense of self, where we think we are so important, so self-absorbed, so sure of what we are and what we believe that the other person doesn't even count.

[32:37] And God himself needs to kneel before us and what we believe because we will make God into our own image. And the churches have been good at that. We come to worship to say, God, I am not you.

[32:55] I'm not God. I don't have the ability to understand all things. I fail. I need God.

[33:07] So we come to worship so that we can remember who we're not. And in the process of it, it helps us to keep the second commandment, to love our neighbor as ourselves.

[33:22] Do we really love our neighbors? Worship keeps us connected as the body of Christ. It says in this passage, For in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs, belongs, belongs to all the others.

[33:41] What does each member do? You belong to each other. You are not an island unto yourself. You have been made incompetent, incapable, and unable to fulfill everything God wants of your life unless you learn how to work together.

[33:57] You're like a hand floating around in the world without the rest of the body. And worship reminds us. I come to worship and I see all this musical talent and think, Wow, am I pretty incompetent.

[34:12] Amen? Wow, I'm not talented at all. Look at what these people can do. This is impressive. And with them, we can do it together because they are us.

[34:25] Amen? And we need that. It's hard to stay in love with people we don't see. It's hard to stay in love with people we don't spend time with.

[34:39] It's hard to stay in love with people that we connect with maybe once or twice a month or once or twice a year. And so we build walls.

[34:52] And we don't love our neighbor the way we ought to. And love, love is what will change this world. Not all this talk of rules and wars and politics.

[35:06] You can't force people to change who they are but the love of God will change who they are to what we need them to be. Do you believe that?

[35:19] Snoopy believes that. Snoopy believes that. Love.

[35:47] Love. Love will change us.

[36:02] Love will transform us. I remember when I was a young teenager they called us the love generation. Anybody remember that? The love generation. We even had a show called The Love Boat.

[36:13] We had all kinds of love and then we decided no, love doesn't work but love is the only thing that does work. We turned to all the other things and it didn't work. They can be good.

[36:25] Like exercise is good. It's a positive thing. I love these things, don't you? I can't make them work but I love them. I got a niece that can do this with ones that are on fire.

[36:40] That's impressive. I won't go near them. I even won't go near her when she's wearing them. And the way we do that is we practice. We practice.

[36:51] We practice. I've got a tennis racket. Anybody here got a tennis racket? Last time I used it was about 35 years ago. But I own one. People have asked me, am I a golfer?

[37:01] I say, I got clubs. That don't make me a golfer, does it? We have to practice. We have to work at it. We have to use it. And in doing so, we lift up not only ourselves but the world around us.

[37:14] God knows we need to worship. We need to spend time together. This passage talks about all sorts of things in worship. Preaching and reading the scripture and praising God and singing and even taking up and offering before God and confessing who we are and showing mercy towards one another.

[37:31] And in doing so, we remember to be people of love and hospitality, of God and His Spirit, working as one together.

[37:43] Why does God demand we worship Him? So that we will love one another. Your life is saved.

[38:22] Your promise is made. Preaching. You're never alone.

[38:55] And never alone. In the arms of Jesus We have help from above Hold out your hand We'll lead to hope In the arms of Jesus You're never alone God sent His Son To show everyone His Spirit Will guide us forever You're never alone You're never alone And never in love In the arms of Jesus

[39:57] We have help from above Hold out your hand We'll lead to hope In the arms of Jesus You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone Let the love of Jesus Let the love of Jesus Fill your heart Let Him help you make a brand new star You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone

[40:58] In the arms of Jesus We have help from above Hold out your hand You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone You're never aloneries to tell Him You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone You're never alone Never alone Thank you Thank you Thank you

[41:59] If you're depressed, you stand like this.

[42:19] If you celebrate, you're like Snoopy, who's a dog, and dog spelled backwards is. You're reading, I know, I know, I know.

[42:31] I interrupted your reading with, sorry. Worship reminds us of God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength.

[42:48] Worship reminds us of God, and we need that. It reminds us of glory. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

[42:59] He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. How can we not feel stirred when we hear that song? But that song is about glory coming.

[43:10] We don't live in this world very long. Hebrews says to us, Hebrews says to us, do not, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another as all the more you see the day approaching.

[43:29] We are not long for this world. This, my friends, is a lithium battery. Power! Power! But I will guarantee you, it will die.

[43:42] Not only will it run out of charge, it will just simply die. You know what's wrong with this other battery? It's not that it's an old battery. It doesn't hold its charge anymore. It's lost its energy.

[43:55] And whether you like to believe it or not, you will not be here forever. However, some of you know that. You're studying for your final exams. Some of you are not aware.

[44:08] I need to realize that day is coming. And we need to be ready. Worship helps us be ready for the day of the Lord. Worship helps us to remember our faith, to grow in our faith.

[44:18] It inspires our daily living and teaches us what we should be. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed. Transformed by the renewing of your mind.

[44:31] Pay no attention to the people walking up on the stage. I went to see Wicked the other day. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.

[44:43] His good, pleasing, and perfect will. He says later, hate what's evil. Cling to what is good. Cling to what is good.

[44:55] Exercise. You know, exercising drives me crazy. I try to do it, and I just like get bored. And then I get tired.

[45:06] I don't want to do it anymore. Takes away my energy. And I go home, and I'm like, ah. But if you do it enough, it actually gives you energy.

[45:18] It gives you power. It sustains us. We need to practice Christianity to get good at it. But it's not easy.

[45:28] Oftentimes we feel like Lucy. Black is how I feel inside.

[45:42] You want to know why our world is getting angrier and angrier? Because black is how they feel inside. I feel like I'm going to be depressed. I'm going to be depressed and worried. Discouraged and confused.

[45:54] Feeling as if there is really no hope in the end. It's all going to fall apart. But let me tell you, friends, there is not only hope in the end.

[46:05] There is glory in the end. Amen? Amen? We have a promised future that does not even hold a candle to the greatest experience you've ever had in life.

[46:17] The greatest joy you've ever felt. It's about a glimpse of what glory will be. Don't let anyone tell you that this life is better than the alternative.

[46:28] Not that I want any of you hurrying out there to get there. Because God needs you here. Whether you realize it or not. Even if you feel black on the inside, God needs you.

[46:40] Because when that black turns to white. When that power, that sense of despair and disappointment and discouragement turns into the power and the energy of God.

[46:53] It'll change the world. Because worship connects us with the power of God. It amazes me how Christians have lost this.

[47:06] I went to annual conference. Now, many of you don't know what that is. So let me explain. Every year, they require us to go to a meeting. Half the people there are clergy. Half the people there are lay people. And we discuss all the business of our area in upstate New York.

[47:20] And we vote on things. But we also go to educational experiences and worship. Lots of worship. Lots of worship. Now, here's the thing that I find fascinating.

[47:32] People will sit in a packed room. Nobody will walk out of the room to argue about what the meaning of the word and is. We shouldn't be using and.

[47:43] We should be using and also with or something. I mean, they will literally go through this detailed concern about how the words are used and whether everything is just exactly so.

[47:57] By the way, they refused to talk about the budget. Just so that you know. They just said, we'll pass out without talking about it. It's fascinating what people care about. And then for the worship services, which were tremendously wonderful.

[48:14] 40% of the people would walk out. That's not important. We don't need that. Remember, at least half these people are pastors.

[48:25] We don't need that. Now, me, I got to tell you the truth. During those meetings, I'd go on a break. Those people just frustrate me with that stuff. I know I shouldn't say that. But boy, when the worship service started, I want to be in the room.

[48:39] I want to be in the room. I want to feel the excitement, the power, the energy of God. Verse 11 says, never be lacking in zeal. Say it with me. Never be lacking in zeal.

[48:51] Verse 12 says, be joyful in hope. Say, be joyful in hope. And verse 15 says, rejoice with those who rejoice. Yes. Joy with those who rejoice.

[49:03] What an amazing opportunity we have every week to recharge who we are, to reconnect to the living God. Wishers is the best place for you to come to find your soul again and turn it from discouragement and depression and confusion and anger to joy and wonder and blessing and hope and even a little bit of dancing.

[49:30] He's thinking, I want to take the first person I meet into my arms and dance merrily through the streets. Right, Snoopy? Uh-huh.

[49:41] I don't understand you.

[49:57] The whole world is coming apart and you're dancing. Snoopy can't help it. My feet love to dance.

[50:07] I have an obligation to my feet, Lucy. You know, you're not as happy as you think you are. Nobody could be that happy.

[50:21] Perhaps she's right. On the other hand, maybe I've set a new world record. We should be dancing in church, you know. We've talked about moving these pews further apart so you all could get your dance on.

[50:35] You know, I don't know if you know this, but I dance and worship. I love celebrating before the Lord. It says in the Bible, come and dance before the Lord. There are people in this world that want to take away your joy.

[50:48] They want to turn your soul black. They want to turn your passion and your joy into sadness and sorrow. Never be lacking in zeal.

[50:59] Say that with me. Never be lacking in zeal. Be joyful in hope. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Rejoice.

[51:09] Rejoice. Rejoice. You know what's missing in this world? Not a better argument. Not a better army. Not a better law. The joy of the Lord.

[51:21] The spirit of the living God. Today we celebrate Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the church. John the Baptist said, I baptize with water, but the one who is coming is more powerful than I am.

[51:33] He's not even someone I'm worthy to tie his shoes. Jesus. He will baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit. And let me tell you, church, we're going on fire.

[51:45] You can decide whether you want to get burned with us or burned in the other place. But we're going on fire for God. Because God wants to change who we are. And that's what worship is about.

[51:57] No matter where you're going, no matter what you do, just as they said in that song, you're never alone if you're in the arms of Jesus. You have the blessing of God with you.

[52:08] And we need to recharge that and re-energize that. God commands us to worship. Not for his sake, but for ours. You know, in the book of Matthew, Jesus said, don't think you can say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father.

[52:24] I tell you, that out of these stones, God can raise up children for Abraham. God doesn't need you to worship him. Heck, he said in the book of Luke.

[52:37] I tell you, if they keep quiet, if you keep quiet, the very stones will cry out. The people of God need to get the joy of the Lord.

[52:53] You know, I've gone to, anybody here ever gone to like a Buffalo Bills game? I'm going to tell you what it's like. People are scurrying about in their house. We can't be late. We can't be late. We got to get there in time. They're putting on special clothes.

[53:04] Some of them paint their faces. Some of them paint their bellies, which is really weird. They get together their special beverages and their special food and all the special things they need. They organize and they activate everything they've got and walk into this.

[53:17] Well, before they get into the stadium, they have a party to make sure that they are clearly in a mood to celebrate. And then they walk into the stadium smiling and happy and full of joy.

[53:29] Only to watch the Buffalo Bills lose again. Can you imagine if that's the way it was out in the parking lot? Every Sunday morning, maybe we should have a tailgate.

[53:42] Right? Every Sunday morning, people just like, I can't wait to get there. We can't be late. This is fantastic. This is fabulous. We got to be in this place. Coming in with joy and with celebration and with wonder.

[53:54] And if you do, I guarantee you, God will never lose. And you will never lose with God. The psalms say it best. Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord.

[54:05] Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and with song.

[54:15] Amen? Amen. Amen. Amen.

[54:36] Light of the world, you step down into darkness. Open your eyes, let me see.

[54:48] Beauty that made this heart adore you. Hope of a life spent with you.

[54:59] So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God.

[55:13] And you're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.

[55:29] King of all days, O so highly exalted, glorious in heaven above.

[55:42] Humply you came to the earth, you created, all for love's sake we came for. So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God.

[56:06] You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.

[56:18] And I'll never know how much they cost to see my sin upon their cross.

[56:31] So I'll never know how much they cost to see my sin upon their cross.

[56:43] So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God.

[56:55] You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.

[57:07] Here I am to worship. Here I am to worship, here I am to worship, here I am to worship, here I am to worship, here I am to worship.

[57:23] Please stand as we respond with Psalm 100. Make a joyful noise, lift up your voice, ye nations of the earth rejoice!

[57:34] That's all of us. Let's do it again. Make joyful noise. Lift up your voice, ye nations of the earth. That's not what we got, Pastor Sherry. Really? Not at all. Okay, well, I'll read that one then.

[57:46] Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come into God's presence with singing. Know that the Lord who made us is God. We are the Lord's. We are the people of God, the sheep of God's pasture. Enter God's gates with thanksgiving and God's courts with praise.

[58:12] Give thanks and bless God's name. For the Lord is good. God's steadfast love endures forever. God's faithfulness to all generations. Majesty worship his majesty.

[58:32] Majesty worship his majesty.

[58:54] majesty. Under Jesus may our glory, honor, and praise. Majesty.

[59:09] Kingdom authority. Love from his throne unto his own is at the grace.

[59:20] majesty. So exhaust, lift up on high the name of Jesus. Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King.

[59:43] Majesty. Majesty. Worship his majesty. Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings.

[59:59] Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings. Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings. All hail the power of Jesus' name. As we proclaim Jesus' name, open yourselves up to the power and presence of God who is here with us, who is here among us, who wants to fill us up to overflowing.

[60:17] O hail the power of Jesus' name. Let angels prostrate fall.

[60:29] bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all. bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all.

[60:49] crown him Lord of all. bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all. bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all.

[61:03] To the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all. To him, O majesty, y'er God. and crown him Lord of all. rest upon to him all majesty us run and grant him Lord above to him all majesty us run and grant him Lord our Lord O God and God the sacred God we have his spirit come we'll join the everlasting son and grant him Lord above we'll join the everlasting son and grant him Lord above

[62:06] O Lord we thank you for your mighty presence among us we pray that you will open up our hearts that we will receive you with joy and gladness and love may we receive your presence Lord draw us closer to you as we lift up our voices to experience you and love you more as we worship you this day amen I long for your embrace Lord and grace every single day to meet you in this place to see you face to face will you show me reveal yourself to me reveal yourself to me reveal yourself to me because of your mercy

[63:18] I fall down on my knees and I can feel your presence in you with me and I can feel your love and I can feel your love and I can feel your love and I can feel your love God up in the wonder of your touch here in this moment I surrender to your love surrender to your love go everywhere I go I am not alone you call me as your own know you and me know you are holy and I fall down on my knees and I can feel your presence here in me suddenly I'm lost in your beauty

[64:30] God up in the wonder of your touch here in this moment I surrender to your love your love I surrender to your grace I surrender to the Lord who took my place I can feel your presence here with me suddenly I'm lost within your beauty God up in the wonder of your touch here in this moment I surrender to your love Lord, you are good you are good and I can feel your love and I can feel your love and I want to hear you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you

[65:38] Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever.

[65:55] Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever. Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever.

[66:30] Hallelujah, hallelujah, we worship in you who you are. You are good.

[66:49] Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever. Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever.

[67:02] Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever. People from every nation and on, from generation to generation, we worship you.

[67:16] Hallelujah, hallelujah, we worship you who you are. We worship you who you are.

[67:31] Hallelujah, hallelujah, we worship you who you are. You are good all the time.

[67:45] All the time. You are good. You are good. All the time. All the time. You are good.

[68:02] You are good. You are good. You are good all the time. All the time. You are good. Let's go Brett.

[68:12] We worship You, Hallelujah, Hallelujah We worship You, Who You are We worship You, Hallelujah, Hallelujah We worship You, Who You are You are good If you love God, give an amen!

[68:46] Amen! Amen! Please be seated! He is good all the time All the time He is good And you are not Neither am I We are messed up We fall short We don't have all the abilities Doesn't that take a load off?

[69:07] You are not expected to be That's Lucy's problem She thinks she has to be everything She doesn't Just play like Snoopy does The dog has got it They got it figured out We got to learn from them If we turn to the God that is good He will make us good again And He will take that black soul And turn it white as snow So let's pray our confession to God Dear God in heaven You're not in heaven I have sinned I have sinned I'm not good I'm not good Sometimes I'm broken Sometimes I'm broken In a big way Forgive me, Lord Forgive me, Lord Make me what I need to be Make me what I need to be Help me to celebrate you Help me to celebrate you And live for you And worship you And worship you Forgive me, Lord Forgive me, Lord In Jesus' name In Jesus' name Amen God decided to do that before you came in here.

[70:04] God decided to do that before you were born. God decided to make you good today. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.

[70:15] In the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord is forgiven. Glory to God. Amen. As morning dawns and evening waves, new inspired songs of praise.

[70:48] And rise from earth to touch your heart and glorify your name.

[70:58] Your name is the strong and mighty tower. Your name is a shelter like your water.

[71:10] Your name is the nation's seen in power. There's nothing that's allowed to say. But your name.

[71:28] As morning dawns and evening waves, you inspire songs of praise.

[71:42] That rise from earth to touch your heart and glorify your name.

[71:52] Your name is the strong and mighty tower. Your name is the shelter like your water.

[72:03] Your name. Your name. As morning dawns and evening waves, you inspire songs of praise. As morning dawns and evening waves, you inspire songs of praise. And rise from earth to touch your heart.

[72:14] Your name is the strong and mighty tower. Your name is the shelter like your water. Your name is the shelter like your water. Your name.

[72:26] Let the nation sing in power. There's nothing that's allowed to say. But your name. Your name.

[72:37] Jesus, in your name we pray.

[72:51] Come and fill our hearts today. Lord, give us strength to live for you.

[73:02] And glorify your name. Amen. Jesus promises to come and fill us to overflowing.

[73:16] To fill us so that it pours out his life and his love. Pours out of us into everyone we meet. Pours out of us into this dark world where we shine our light for Jesus.

[73:29] Where we shine with the hope of glory. Wherever we go. God invites you to the table. Jesus invites you to share in the supper that he shared with his disciples so long ago.

[73:47] We share it over and over and over again. Because we need that constant infilling of God's love and God's spirit. Be ready to receive.

[73:59] You are welcome to come to the table if you love God. Repent of your sin. And seek to live in peace as a disciple of Jesus Christ. You don't have to be a member of this church.

[74:10] You don't have to be a member of any church. If God has touched your heart today and you want to receive all God has for you. You are welcome to come to the table and partake.

[74:22] You are welcome to receive that outpouring of God's love. That outpouring of God's spirit. So come to the table. Come expecting to receive.

[74:33] Expecting to receive. Jesus will meet you here. The Lord be with you. Lift up your heart. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

[74:45] It is right. It is right. It is right. It is right. And a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

[74:56] In the beginning, your spirit moved over the face of the waters. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away and our love failed, your love remained steadfast.

[75:11] Your spirit came upon prophets and teachers, anointing them to speak your word. And so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn.

[75:25] Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

[75:39] Hosanna in the highest. Holy are you and blessed is your son Jesus Christ. At his baptism in the Jordan, your spirit descended upon him and declared him your beloved son.

[75:53] With your spirit upon him, he turned away the temptations of sin. Your spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor. To proclaim release to the captive and recovering of sight to the blind.

[76:06] To set at liberty those who are oppressed. And to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick. Fed the hungry and ate with sinners.

[76:17] By the baptism of his suffering, death and resurrection, you gave birth to your church. Delivered us from slavery to sin and death. And made with us a new covenant by water and the spirit.

[76:29] When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always. Baptizing us with the Holy Spirit and fire. As on the day of Pentecost.

[76:41] On the night in which he gave himself up for us, Jesus took bread and he gave thanks to you. He broke the bread and gave it to his disciples. He said, take and eat. This is my body which is given for you.

[76:55] Do this in remembrance of me. And when the supper was over, Jesus took the cup and he gave thanks to you.

[77:08] He gave it to his disciples saying, drink from this all of you. This is the cup of my blood. The blood of the new covenant poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin.

[77:25] Do this as often as you drink it. In remembrance of me. On the day you raised him from the dead, Jesus was recognized by his disciples in the breaking of the bread.

[77:36] And in the power of your Holy Spirit, your church has continued in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup. So in remembrance of these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving.

[77:51] As a holy and living sacrifice. In union with Christ's offering for us. As we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen.

[78:04] Christ will come again. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here. And on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ.

[78:16] That we may be for the world the body of Christ redeemed by his blood. And empowered by the gifts of the Spirit. By your Spirit.

[78:28] Make us one with Christ. One with each other and one in ministry to all the world. Showing forth the fruit of the Spirit. Until Christ comes in final victory.

[78:40] And we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit and your Holy Church. All honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father. Now and forever.

[78:53] Amen. Shall we pray together with the confidence of children of God. The prayer Jesus taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name.

[79:06] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses.

[79:18] As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

[79:34] Amen. Will those who are serving please come forward. To liberate us they feel free to gain. Amen. Have no wonder. Since sins are coming.

[79:46] We have no wonder. Oh God. We have no idea. Come out of truth. Dear God. Believe it honestly our true God. Amen. The options for hope � lurking. When else is our pulling so skeleton.

[79:57] We have no power and the power. Did not make them feel free to lose right? In the str�� move we use it. Thank you.

[80:34] Thank you.

[81:04] Thank you.

[81:34] Come join us with the Lord. Thank you.

[82:34] Thank you.

[83:04] Thank you.

[83:34] Thank you.

[84:04] Thank you.

[84:34] Thank you.

[85:04] Thank you.

[85:34] Thank you.

[86:04] Thank you.

[86:34] Thank you.

[87:04] Thank you.

[87:34] Thank you.

[88:04] Thank you.

[88:34] Thank you.

[89:04] Thank you.

[89:34] Thank you.

[90:04] Thank you. Thank you.

[91:04] Thank you.

[91:34] Thank you.

[92:04] Thank you.

[92:34] Thank you. Pretty much says it for me. Go in peace.