Radical Hospitality

Passionate Worship

We desire to create an openness to God presence through different, warm, authentic, alive, creative, relevant, connecting, and life-changing worship experiences. We gather together as the body of Christ with eagerness and expectancy, worshipping God and encountering the risen Jesus through singing, prayer, scripture, preaching and Holy Communion, and being shaped by the spirit to continue to daily live the way of Jesus. Through passionate worship God draws people to Christ, deepens understanding and relationship with Christ and over time transforms lives as disciples grow in the image of Christ.

Do you find worship here at TUC to be “passionate, alive, connecting, and life-changing” every Sunday?

What aspects of Sunday worship do you find most helpful? Singing? Prayers? Liturgy? Communion? Kids Talk? Bible Reading? Sermon? Discussions?

Worship is not about us, it is about God.

Blessed is the one … whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on God’s law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Psalm 1:1,3

God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you. Psalm 63 (Message)

What helps us “passionately worship”? Dr Bud Reeves 1. Prayer Often when we find worship unhelpful it is less about style or format and more about where we are with God. Praying before worship to focus/centre ourselves Coming to worship with an expectation or openness

What helps us “passionately worship”? Dr Bud Reeves 2. A different perspective of the audience in worship…

What helps us “passionately worship”? Dr Bud Reeves 3. We need to engage our hearts Good worship intrigues the mind, inspires the heart and invites us to do something in response.

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations The word ‘Passionate’ speaks of an emotional connection that goes beyond intellectual consent. Passionate worship is about an eagerness, anticipation, expectancy, deep commitment, and belief that we are able to come into the very presence of the almighty God. Bishop Robert Schnase Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

1 Corinthians 14:25 … So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Passionate Worship Prepare for worship with prayer. Be expectant Engage our minds AND our hearts and emotions in worship May others discover God in our worship services