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For Your Benefit...

• Kid’s Singing — This afternoon at 4:25 here at the building.
• Fellowship class will be Monday at 7:30 here at the building. Listen to lesson #7 in Ralph Walker’s sermon series on “Fellowship.” Keith Swisher is the facilitator.
• Practice Singing — 7:30 Friday night here at the building. New songs from the supplemental hymnal.
• Ladies’ Class — Next quarter (beginning in July) there will be a ladies’ class on Sunday mornings. A copy of the class book and a sign-up sheet are on the table in the foyer. Lora Shields is teaching the class.

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Calendar

• June 10 — Kids’ singing at 4:25.
• June 10-15 — West End.
• June 16 — One day VBS at Mt Washington.

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        Two men attend worship services. The first man attends wholly out of a sense of duty. He understands the teaching of Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” and is determined to obey faithfully that teaching. He will not allow any-thing within his power to stand in the way of his attending the worship periods of the church.
The second man recognizes his duty in this matter, too, but his primary motivation in attendance is his love for the Lord and his joy in blending his voice and heart with other Christians in praise and adoration to the Lord. He delights in worship and the spiritual strength he derives through worship.

        The first man is mentally passive throughout the worship service. If the words of the song happen to catch his attention, he observes and appreciates them; otherwise, he just sings along with little concern for what he is singing. If the sermon is interesting, he listens; otherwise, he just relaxes, and hopes the time won't drag too badly. He does meditate briefly concerning Christ's suffering and death as he partakes of the supper, for somehow the importance of the memorial feast has been impressed upon his mind.

        The second man comes mentally prepared to worship. He pays close attention to the words of each song and makes the sentiment of the songs his own sentiment. In fact, he sometimes studies the words of frequently used songs so he will be sure he understands their meaning. Depth of meaning is of greater importance to him than a catchy tune or rhythmic beat. He listens to each phrase of the prayer that is led, and if he can approve the petitions of the prayer, he unites with the one who leads with his "Amen." He discerns the Lord's body as he breaks bread, and he listens carefully to the sermon, volunteering his attention, hiding the word in his heart, that he might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). If his mind wanders occasionally, he brings it back to the worship. He worships with a consciousness of God as the object of his worship, the One toward whom these expressions of adoration are directed.

        The first man reduces his service to a mere code of external rites, while the second man obeys "from the heart," combining the outward with the inward. The first man is more likely to be satisfied with his service to the Lord, for he has accepted the easier standard, but it is the second man who enjoys God's approval. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). We ask the reader: "In which of these two men do you see a reflection of yourself?" The need is obvious! We must cast off our laziness and indifference, revitalize our spirits, and bring ourselves to worship God acceptably. There is a considerable difference between mere attendance of a worship service and truly acceptable worship.

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For this week…

• Give the gift of a spiritual song.

Buy a CD with recordings of hymns and spiritual music. Listen to it with someone’s specific spiritual needs in mind.

When you give that person the CD, point out one or two songs that made you think of them.

By your thinking of them and sharing this gift with them, they will in turn think of you. Both of you will benefit from the brief moments of praise to God that music can inspire in daily life.

As James said, “Is any among you merry? Let him sing praises!"

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• Two or three prayers that cannot be heard.
• Members that daydream or sleep throughout the sermon.
• Members who pass notes during the Lord’s Supper.
• Members who never open their mouths during the singing.
• Floors cluttered with dirty gum wrappers, Kleenex, baby’s cookie crumbs, scraps of stuff.
• Scribbling in and playing with the hymnals.
• Giggling.
• Members who whisper, talk, write notes, pass pictures, etc, all through the services.
• Persistent late-comers who disturb and distract their fellow worshippers.
• Members who do not speak to visitors.
• Announcements that are mumbled.
• Singing that is lifeless and insincere.
• Members who would obviously like to be elsewhere.

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