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Service Times & Weekends ::
Saturdays at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm :: Sundays at 9:00 am and 11:00 am*
*11:00 am service interpreted for the hearing impaired.
This Series :: Always / Only
Join us as we explore "Living a life of worship." We will focus on ways to be inspired to worship in everything we do in all parts of our lives.
Sep 11/12 :: Kevin Odor :: Devotion
Sep 18/19 :: Kevin Odor :: Preparation
Sep 25/26 :: Kevin Odor :: Transformation
Oct 2/3 :: Kevin Odor :: Expression 1
Oct 9/10 ::Mitch Harrison :: Expression 2 (Passion Service)
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We have great children's and student programs during weekend services. Visit our youth page for more information. Programs and services for children with special needs at all service times. Click here for our Free to Fly ministry.
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Worship Thought of the Week :: Everything
I loved my many years of youth ministry. Year after year of pouring into the lives of young people with the hope of seeing them take deeper and braver steps towards a surrendered life in Christ became something that I not only did for a living, but something that I lived for. Though there were many struggles and distractions in the lives of our students, I also began to see a danger in the behaviors we were instilling in them through the church culture we were creating. Year after year I would observe what I began to lovingly call the “Disney Land life with Christ….” Allow me to explain.
I remember when our family would make our summer trips out to California every year to visit family. The pinnacle of the trip was never seeing those aunts and uncles, cousins or even the beach… It was rolling into Anaheim and seeing the front gates of the ‘happiest place on earth.’ At that point it really didn’t matter how much my sister and I fought, how bad a mood dad had been in, or how stressed mom had been throughout the trip, because Mickey, all his pals, and most importantly, all those glorious rides were just around the corner. Of course, as all great experiences, the day would move into, evening, the park would inevitably close, and we would leave the park, back to our routine… the adventure was over.
How much are we like this with Christ? I think it’s just easier to see with our kids. They go on a week of camp, a fall retreat, or an amazing serving trip to Mexico and it seems they’re on those mountain tops. They become the most devoted and spiritual people our friends or family have ever seen. But then they come back home to what I like to call “the seemingly mundane” and they revert back to their old routines and start asking God the ever frequented question - “Where are You?” In this pattern, communing with Christ has been relegated to an emotional experience and worship has been reduced to goose bumps and songs sung by gifted musicians. If this pattern continues into adulthood, they will miss the full, deep, and abundant life that Christ is calling them to in Him.
Well what about us? Even in our weekly practice of coming to church we can reduce gathering together and celebrating the goodness of God to “getting a spiritual fix.” In addition, we think church is the only place we can meet with Him. In reality, God desires to meet with us at every turn and be the center of everything in our lives. I love singing the worship song “Everything” by British songwriter and worship leader Tim Hughes. The lyrics to this song are a reminder that all things in our lives, whether seemingly mundane or extravagant, were designed and given to us from God for the purposes of stirring our affections towards Him in worship. That includes our marriages, parenting, friendships, work, play, and food… EVERYTHING. God never was and never will be confined to the walls of our church or any other church. Worship is not simply an act of singing but (as Romans 12:1-2 challenges us) giving all and surrendering all to Christ. When we do come together, it should be with a heart that is prepared and grateful because we have been meeting with God ongoing throughout the week.
Here are some things to try.
• Read through Colossians 3:12-17. Ask lots of questions like: “What does it mean for me to be part of God’s chosen people?” “How should this influence the way I interact with others, battle my insecurities, drive my passion for others?”
• Pray every morning a simple prayer: “God, help me be more aware of your goodness and grace in my life (even in the seemingly mundane things) and help me to be more grateful.” As God answers that prayer, let it stir your affections for Him in worship.
I hope that each one of us would be increasingly aware of God’s grace and mercy in every circumstance of our lives. May all things that you do and all that you have help you to remember the goodness of our God.
Blessings,
Sean
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Top 10 Ways to Prepare for Weekend Worship ::
1. Prepare your heart by praying before you attend the service.
2. Start the night before preparing you and your family. Take showers & baths, pick out your clothes and talk about what might happen at Church. Get a good night’s rest.
3. Visit the this page weekly for a devotion, KO blog, sermon notes, music, prep tools, link to media of services and much more.
4. Bring your Bible to church, including an age appropriate one for your children.
5. For the best overall experience as a family arrive 15 minutes early to church to allow time for both you and your kids to participate in the entire service.
6. Be in your seat and be still, expectant to hear from God, for two minutes prior to the beginning of service. (Put all distractions away; email, cell.,etc.)
7. Leave 5 minutes earlier than you think you need to make it to church 15 minutes early and alleviate the red light frustration and the parking lot wait.
8. Listen to only Christian music on your way to church. (KSOS 90.5, KLOVE 91.1, Air1 89.3)
9. Listen to the current music we are doing in our services by clicking the Itunes Mix link in the left menu.
10. After service talk with kids about church and what all of you learned about God. Also, use the “Last Word, God’s Word” tool on this page, and kids take home materials as discussion starters. |