As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Someone once said that in the Old Testament, God had a temple for his people. In the New Testament God has a people for his temple. In Ephesians 2:21 we learn that we are growing into a holy temple in the Lord. As we gather for worship, even in a school auditorium, we are a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). And there is gospel in the 1 Peter passage above! Our worship is "acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." God is holy and majestic, and yet, with all our flaws and humanness, we are beloved of God as we offer our worship.

On Sundays, as we drive to church for worship, we often recall this wonderful truth, that God fills the temple of his people as we gather for worship. Today, let's pray together for our worship gatherings throughout the fall:

Pray for the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in worship each Sunday, revealing the beauty of Christ, working in our hearts, and empowering the music and the preaching.
Pray for the transition to a new worship leader, and for God's provision for the filling of that role. Thank God for Tim and Angela Inman, serving on an interim basis, along with a great supporting cast of musicians and vocalists.
Pray for additional musicians to add fullness and variety from time to time. God has always been faithful to raise up volunteers from our midst.
We have a new sermon series on the Book of Exodus beginning Aug 24. Pray for preparation going on now, and that the epic stories of Exodus will come alive to our hearts. Pray that the story of Moses will point us to the "greater Moses," Jesus Christ.
Of course, worship is so much more than what happens from the front! Pray for our whole congregation, as we add our voices and hearts and love in worship each Sunday.