I just finished meeting with Nate Williams, planning for our worship service on Sunday evening at Church Requel. Each week we think through the elements that we believe will add up to a wonderful worship experience. And this week is no exception. Nate practiced with one of our larger worship teams this week including Tiffany, Luke, Mark Wentz, Trisha and Jana. I so appreciate these dedicated musicians setting aside a couple hours on Wednesday evening and at least another couple hours Sunday afternoon. And this doesn't include the hours of individual practice and preparation that I'm sure they are each investing. All so that we might be able to worship Christ through our singing. The songs this weekend include "Everlasting God," "Open Up the Sky," "Your Love Oh Lord," and "At the Cross."
We will continue our summer teaching through Philippians Sunday with episode #9: "Honoring Faithful Men of God." We will study Philippians 2:19-30, where Paul talks about the faithful servants, Timothy and Epiphroditus. You'll want to come and listen to Nancy as she reads this Scripture to us. Our musicians are not the only ones to practice. Nancy called me this week and asked how to pronounce Epiphroditus' name. (It's Ep-pee-fro-di-tus, with a long o and and a long i and accent on the fourth syllable.) I give Nancy a lot of credit for tackling this particular Bible reading!
We learn two things from this passage. First - what is it that makes these two men from 2,000 years ago special to us today? What can we learn about ourselves and about our leaders? Second - and perhaps even more importantly - Paul concludes by saying we should honor such faithful men. Exactly how should we do that today? I believe the Bible teaches 5 ways that we should honor our faithful leaders within the church.
I would love it if you could join us this Sunday evening at Church Requel. Remember - our new location is at Ontario Christian Fellowship, 636 S. Lexington-Springmill Road, just one mile south of Richland Mall. See you Sunday at 6PM!
