Why We Worship the Way We Do
The Bible teaches that worship is not a dull ritual, but a joyful and intimate celebration of God's presence. The Bible encourages us to express our love to God in a variety of ways:
- Singing - Psalm 30:4, 95:1
- Kneeling - Psalm 95:6, Luke 22:41
- Standing - Psalm 134:1, 135:2
- Lifting up Hands - Ps. 134:2, I Tim. 2:8
- Clapping Hands - Ps. 47:I, 98:8
- Dancing - Psalm 149:3, 150:4
- Shouting - Psalm 35:27, 47:l
- Musical Instruments - Psalm 150:3-5, II Samuel 6:5
- Prophetic Song - Ps. 40:3, 96:1, 98:1
In addition to these expressions of our love, God also exhorts us to exercise the gifts of the Spirit in an orderly way as we meet together. In the course of our worship you may hear a prophetic word given to encourage or edify (I Cor. 14:3, 31) or a brief message in tongues, followed by an interpretation (I Cor. 14:5,18,27). While all of the above expressions of praise are valid and acceptable, none are required. If you feel uncomfortable expressing your praise in these ways, please feel free to just "sing along" or to quietly express your love for God in prayer.
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