Worshipping in Washington

As most of you probably know by now, the Kings went to Washington D.C. We asked Nathan where he would like to go if he had a senior trip. He picked Washington D.C. We had plans to visit D.C. a couple of years ago, but Covid hit right before we were to leave causing us to cancel our trip. I want to share some observations about our Sunday worship in D.C.

First, I realized how spoiled I am because it is so easy for me to get to the building. I have walked or taken a short drive to the building for the last 20 plus years. Though our trip was not terrible, it was more difficult. We walked about a mile to the metro (subway) and rode it to the bus terminal. Then we rode the bus to the stop and walked about another half-mile to the building. This is no praise to us. Again, it was not that difficult. I just need to be reminded and take advantage of the ease that i have in being able to get to a building to fellowship and worship God.

We were warmly welcomed. We were greeted when we entered, but more impressive to me were those who came up to us after we sat down. Most of the time when i go somewhere else, I am the visiting preacher, and people like to talk to the visiting preacher. When I go incognito, it is sometimes a much different story. It is sad how unfriendly a congregation can be. Reminder to self: seek out the visitors. I will confess it was pretty obvious that we were visitors. Our skin tone made it that way.

Which brings me to my final point. Those folks, though they live in a different part of our country and have a skin tone different than mine, are still my brothers and sisters in Christ, and Lord willing I will see them in heaven one day. Sometimes it is a blessing to get out of your routine and be reminded of some lessions.

Building the Perfect Father

If you could build the perfect father, what would you use? You might say you have the perfect father, and I am sure you think you do. I hope you let Him know. Most of us fathers realize we have strengths and weaknesses. So if we build the best dad from the strengths of Bible characters, what might we use?

I might wish he had the wisdom of Proverbs which is probably mostly written by Solomon. Proverbs seems like a father sitting his son down and teaching him about life. That is one of the the pieces of advice the book gives us (Proverbs 22:6).

I would give him the desire that Job had for his children to be right with God. Job 1:5 says that Job would offer sacrifices for his children.

I would want him to be a friend of God like Abraham was (James 2:23). Your dad might have a lot of great friends, but I can think of none better than God.

I would want him to have the love for the mother of his children that Joseph had for Mary. Joseph was going to put her away quietly when she came up pregnant. He was a good man, but God told him no. So he endured what I imagine was shunning and mocking by taking are of his soon-to-be wife and God's son (Matthew 1-2).

He would need the forgiveness of the Prodigal Father. Children are not perfect, and they make mistakes. We all do, even parents. What a beautiful picture of God's forgiveness we see in Luke 15:11-32.

How about the faith of Noah who was willing to step out and obey God by being a man of faith who displayed that faith by building an ark in a wicked world (Genesis 6-9)?

When you make a list like this, no one can match up because we are taking the best of these men who all had feet of clay. In fact the Bible records many of their mistakes. But these are areas that we can grow in, and I hope we will accept that challenge.

Improving Our Worship

What are some ways we can improve our worship here at Huntingdon?

1. We should always remember that we worship God. We want to find out what pleases Him and offer that to Him. Too often, one of the problems with those trying to "improve their worship" is that they are looking to please men. Our goal in worship must be to please God (Galatians 1:10). When we please Him, I believe we will be blessed by that as well.

2. If God is my priority, then worshipping Him should be my priority (Matthew 6:33). Everything in my week should revolve around worship instead of trying to fit worship into my week. On Saturday night, I am getting to be early for worship, and I am doing as much as I can (getting clothes ready, pulling out breakfast, eat) so that I will not be late to Bible class. It is hard to worship running late.

3. Worship is not a spectator sport. When you take the Lord's Supper, you need to examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28). It is command to sing no matter how you think you sound (Colossians 3:16). Pray with the one leading the prayer. Think about the things that are being mentioned. Do you agree? During the lesson follow along in your Bible. How do you know if what is being taught is true if you do not have your Bible (Acts 17:11)? Take notes. If you can not get on your phone to use your Bible without being distracted by all the other things on your phone, silence it and get a hard copy of the Bible. Ask questions like: How does this lesson apply to me? What do I need to do or keep doing? If where you sit distracts you, move.

4. Get out of your comfort zone of sitting quietly or just talking to those around you. Be willing to seek out someone new. Introduce yourself. Learn about them. You might have a lot in common.

How much better could your worship be if you implemented some of these suggestions?