Worship means much more than “songs that we sing on Sunday morning.” To me, worship means “giving worth to God as the people of God,” or “showing God how much we love him,” or “celebrating God for his own sake.” And that can take lots of different forms, not just through music.

For a few years now, I have had the privilege and responsibility of planning our Sunday morning worship services at Mt. Haley. Today I would like to draw back the curtain a little bit, so that you can see what goes into these preparations and what I hope we can accomplish as we worship Jesus together. Continue reading

Preview: Heaven is Real, and so is Earth

This Sunday morning, we will focus on the story of Jesus’s ascension into heaven, which is recorded in Acts 1:6-14. While Christians today often think of heaven and hell as polar opposites, this story paints a somewhat different picture: Jesus has gone into heaven, but the disciples (now apostles) are still on earth. What are they to do? And what does this story have to do with us today? Come worship with us on Sunday morning and let’s discover together.

–Pastor David

Preview: The Power of God’s Word

This Sunday, we will hear from a special guest speaker, Sterling Gatling, who comes on behalf of Gideons International, an organization known for distributing the Bible all around the world. How powerful is the Word of God? Come worship with us as Sterling helps us focus on Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)

Preview: Easter’s Done – Now What?

The “big event” is over; Jesus has risen from the dead. Easter breakfasts have been eaten, churches have been filled, and songs of praise have been sung. Now the party is finished and reality begins to sink in: we have to go somewhere from here. The disciples locked themselves in a room for fear of the Jews; we will meet openly this Sunday morning. Come worship with us as we consider what happened with those disciples in John 20:19-31!

–Pastor David

Preview: Give Up Despair

How often have you felt despair in your own life? How often have people in your circle of family and friends felt the same way? The good news of Jesus Christ is not that we are guaranteed lives free from trouble, but rather that our Lord promises to revive us even when all seems lost. Come worship with us on Sunday morning as Pastor David helps us investigate the “dry bones” prophecy found in Ezekiel 37:1-14.

Preview: Give Up the Old Life

In one of the most famous encounters in biblical history, Nicodemus the Pharisee spoke with Jesus under cover of darkness. How can a person be born a second time? he wondered. Our Lord’s answer – which included a prediction of his crucifixion and the most well-known of all Bible verses – is as timeless as it is profound. What is the meaning of this new life? Come worship with us on Sunday as we investigate John 3:1-17.

–Pastor David

Preview: Give Up Temptation

The season of Lent is upon us, and many Christians around the world practice giving up something meaningful as a sacrifice to the Lord. We are participating in Focus 40, the Church of God program involving over 500 congregations in a season of prayer and fasting. What does all this “giving up” language have to do with temptation, which Jesus himself faced in Matthew 4:1-11? And what kind of God would allow such temptation? Come worship as we consider these issues this Sunday morning!

–Pastor David

Preview: Focus 40

This Sunday’s sermon will give us an introduction to the Church of God program entitled “Focus 40” – forty days of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter.  As of today, over five hundred congregations across the country have signed up to participate!  But what is the purpose of this prayer and fasting campaign?  In fact, why should we pray and fast in the first place?  Come worship with us on Sunday and find out.

–Pastor David