Corporate worship is a great thing.  We, of course, can worship God on our own and with our families.  And we should.  But there is something special about the people of God coming together for worship (Hebrews 10:24-25).  Thus, we hope that corporate worship is the highlight of your week.  In an effort to help you get more out of worship, we're posting a short preview of the upcoming worship service each week.  Hopefully you'll find this helpful and encouraging.

The big news is that for the first time we will be worshipping on Sunday morning.  Our new time is 10:00am, and our new worship space will be John P Parker School (directions here).

We are launching back into our series on the Gospel of Mark called "The King and His Kingdom."  We looked at the first half of Mark in the winter and spring.  The theme of Mark 1-8 is the identity of Jesus.  When we get to chapter 9, Mark now shifts to talk about the mission of Jesus - particularly focusing on the cross.  This week the sermon will focus on Mark 9:30-50, "The Cross-Shaped Life."  To prepare for Sunday, read the passage and ask "What does it look like to follow Jesus?"

We will be celebrating the Lord's Supper this week.  In preparation, read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.  During communion, the worship team will be playing a new song (new to us anyway).  It was written by Charles Wesley in 1745 especially for the celebration of the Lord's Supper.  You can reflect on the words to the hymn below:

Come, Thou Everlasting Spirit

Come, Thou everlasting Spirit,

Bring to every thankful mind

All the Savior’s dying merit,

All His sufferings for mankind!

True Recorder of His passion,

Now the living faith impart;

Now reveal His great salvation;

Preach His Gospel to our heart.

Come, Thou Witness of His dying;

Come, Remembrancer divine!

Let us feel Thy power, applying

Christ to every soul, and mine!

Let us groan Thine inward groaning;

Look on Him we pierced, and grieve;

All receive the grace atoning,

All the sprinkled blood receive.