Think about your earliest memory of worship. What did you see, hear, touch, and smell? Who was with you?

Did your earliest memory of worship leave a lasting impression on you?

The earliest occurrence of the Hebrew word for “worship” is in Genesis 22:5 in the story of Abraham’s near sacrifice of Issac. Certainly, the Bible records earlier images of one-on-one conversations with God, but the word “worship” is first used when there are two people gathered. In this instance, though the circumstance initially appears to be one of dread, it becomes one of praise and thanksgiving for what God has done.

When we speak of worship, we mean the assembly of the people of God in communal prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, guided by God’s Holy Word and Sacraments.

Read through Psalm 95:1-7

There is a clear image of the assembly at worship in this psalm. In the mind’s eye, you can experience this congregation at work. There is an invitation: “Come, let’s worship:”

Hear their exuberance: “Let us make a joyful noise.”

See their reverence: “Let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord.”

Understand their motivation: “For the Lord is our God and we are the people of God’s pasture and the sheep of God’s hand.”

This snapshot of ancient peoples going about their liturgy could well have been one taken from a twenty-first century photo album.

In what ways does corporate worship equip you for worship, witness, and service in your daily living?

Growing Disciples Bulletin Insert

The May bulletin insert is now ready. These inserts are a starting point and will include an introduction to the monthly theme and an invitation to delve deeper. 

Each time an insert is sent out, you will be able to access it as a PDF that is ready to print double-sided. The PDF is for standard letter-size paper and is made so two inserts are on each page. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Mack Patrick, click here to email them.

To access the PDF insert, please click here.

Worship Resources

Additional resources will be added throughout the year.

  • ELCA Worship
  • ELCA Worship Resources
  • ELCA Worship E-News Sign Up
    • Sign up to receive monthly worship updates from the ELCA
  • The Use of the Means of Grace
  • Revised Common Lectionary Sundays and Principal Festivales
    • This lectionary provides a three-year series of readings for Sunday starting with the season of Advent, four weeks before Christmas Day. For each Sunday and festival, three readings and a psalm are suggested and include: a Gospel reading, an Old Testament reading, and a New Testament reading. The lectionary is a work of The Consultation on Common Texts, an ecumenical consultation of liturgical scholars and denominational representatives from the United States and Canada, who produce liturgical texts for use in common by North American Christian Churches.
  • Augsburg Fortress
    • Augsburg Fotress is the publishing house for the ELCA and provides various resources for personal and congregation use. 
  • Illustrated Ministry
    • Illustrated Ministry creates progressive faith resources for education and worship for the church and home. 
  • Sanctified Art
    • Sanctified Art creates art and resources for church leaders and spiritual seekers. 
  • Church Anew
    • Church Anew is a Spirit-led movement that nourished Christian leaders and ignited comunities of faith by setting an inclusive table of belonging and developing resources for a fresh, bold, and faithful witness in the world.
  • Barn Geese Worship
    • Barn Geese Worship writes approachable, inclusive resources to support creative preaching and worship. 
  • Meta Herrick Carlson
    • Meta Herrick Carlson is a pastor and poet and has created various resources for personal devotion and corporate worship. 
  • Music that Makes Community
    • Music that Makes Community practices communal song-sharing that inspires deep spiritual connection, brave shared leadership, and sparks the possibility of transformation in our world.
  • Common Prayer
    • Common Prayer is a tapestry of daily prayers inviting faith communities from around the world to pray, sing, and act together. At this site, you’ll find prayers for every evening, morning, and midday that celebrate the best of the Christian tradition and engage with the most pressing issues of our world today.