Genesis

1 - perhaps my newness to all of this will shine through…but here it goes anyhow…if commandments are so easily broken and we have the ability to keep reflecting and asking for forgiveness and having it granted, why isn’t there some time when God will throw up his hands in frustration and say…sorry you’ve broken THAT commandment one too many times? As a mistake-riddled sinner am I merely deceiving myself that I’m forgiven until my heart truly changes and I am able to truly keep the commandment? (Comment this)

2 - How could Moses demand that the Levites kill their brother and neighbor and not defy the commandment Thou shall not murder?

I’ve read this whole section a few times this afternoon and it seems to me that Moses had God pretty much turned around and God relented and decided not to bring disaster to the people and then Moses went down the mountain and carried out the disaster himself. Was this God’s way of working through Moses to carry out his anger, to bring disaster to these people and to punish them for not following his command?

If God knows our heart does He also already know that person will stray from his command? (Comment this)

3 - Before I left work on friday I had one of those "what are you doing this weekend" talks with a co-worker. He was going on a church retreat and said this - "its what's important above all of this"(as he pointed around our office).

Twice in one weekend I'm challenged with the thought - God above everything else...I can't honestly say that I've ever thought about a relationship with God in that way. How truly difficult. It's easy to put a name to God or admit I've merely tried to schedule him into my day but to allow him into every corner, for him to capture my attention before anything else that defines me or my actions ...I don't have a clue how that would remotely work? How do you even begin to fufill that promise? (Comment this)

4 - I just started attending the new membership class on sunday. Which is really great right? Anyways right after when I sat done in a woship service someone made a rather rude comment about not sitting next to the possible new member. I haven't heard comments like that until I walked in with a new member class binder. I feel very discougaged about it. (Comment this)

5 - That just makes me terribly disappointed...seems to me that would be a prime example of not putting God first either by not making you, at the very least, feel respected, let alone welcome. I'm sorry that happened and while I don't know who made the rude comment I would pray that God would work to improve their heart.

I'd even go to the later service if it would mean you had a 1 in 300 chance to have a welcome seat by me . . . I'm the quiet one, sitting by herself...typically off to one of the sides. Sadly I won't be there this next week but if you are encouraged...look for me at another time. :)

Anyhow, I know that its hard enough to be a new person in this church and overwhelming, especially in the sea of chaos that IS the hallways between services.

I consider myself still new to the church even though I've been attending for almost five years...a wonderful woman came up to me before services the last couple of weeks.

In our first conversation I mentioned that I'd been attending the church for five years but really hadn't gotten involved and she said that she's found so much more connection with people in the smaller group setting -- so maybe if you find encouragement you might have time to join a small group?

If not, one of the things we pray about is holding each other accountable...I have to admit that I haven't been good at interacting with people before or after the service - its doubly hard to do that when I don't know ANYBODY - but I'm going to try and hopefully others might make the effort too? A friendly smile, a warm hello, a short question...it probably could go far to help encourage each other?

Thank you for deciding to worship God with us. (Comment this)

6 - So as far as changing-up the evening service – it might be interesting to see what we can do to help foster full-circle communication with God and with each other. It’s daunting to just strike up conversations with strangers but sometimes I think in different ways aren’t we called to do that? And if our goal is to become more disciple-like, perhaps I’d like to learn how to feel more comfortable doing that…we surely have a lot to learn from each other.

Of course, I was that person in the back of the sanctuary who just didn’t really want to talk to anyone but to listen and figure out if this was where I was meant to be. So was I wrong to want to be there but just blend-in?

There’s only an hour to balance reflection and celebration, with spirit and truth at the core. Multiply that by almost 300 people all at different walks in their faith and how do you serve God in the best possible way? Does the way we worship give enough time for reflection or is the purpose to receive the word and celebrate and we all have time to spend the next six days reflecting? There’s so much the worship team wants to do but it does seem sometimes like we run out of time or rush over important points to just get done which sort of fizzle the built up feeling the rest of the service gives. (Comment this)

7 - Tina- Your last point hits so true... it is frustrating when we gloss over things because of our alloted time. I don't know that we'll change the 1 hour worship culture, but we need to find a way to not "fizzle" out. I think I may need to speak a little less so we can worship a little more.
I also hope I didn't make the Sunday night sound like a completely different deal than Sunday morning. The biggest difference that I see will be the set up. There will be round tables and chairs. I'm just hoping that with more time and space people will more naturally connect. I think it's a lot easier and more inviting to talk to someone else when your sitting at the same table vs. the same row. Anyway, any feedback on that would be very welcome. (Comment this)

8 - Nope - I didn't think it was going to be different - you did however mention the possiblity of more fellowship so I just ran with that idea I guess... anyhow, I was just thinking out loud about worship in general possibly at all of the services...

Maybe if the chairs weren't in rows - but more of a semicircle?

I'm probably going to make Brian and the band nuts but I don't think its a matter of you saying less...perhaps we don't need to sing all of the refrains on the music or repeat verses?

(By the way the worship band sounded really great today - maybe it was the rockier edge but I thought they did a great job) (Comment this)

9 - Everyone, I'm curious, what do you enjoy about worshiping? What has made it meaningful (Do you have an actual example)? What has distracted you? What do you wish we had more time to explore, learn, do (sure there's only an hour but what is the ideal format)? What are your favorite songs? What are your favorite verses? (Comment this)

10 - The testimony by the from teen challenge brought me to tears. He was great. Ben's relating things to his own life is always helpful(and entertaining).

I'd like to explore doubt. Why do I still have doubts even when things are going well. How does that creep in?

Format works for me.

Songs:
Rescue
God Will Lift Up Your Head
I'll Fly Away
Lifesong (Comment this)