A colleague asked a number of us recently that question.

 

It was a good question.  Too often we get numbed into  thoughtless routine.

 

My reply was that we are worshipping corporately, as God commands his people to do every Lord's Day.   We are gathering to hear his Word and enjoy His sacraments.  We are privileged to use the gift of the liturgy which the historic church has passed down to us from its earliest days.  We can feed therefore not only on the Word, but also on the sacrament and words of the music and liturgy--all of which are so deep that if we are attentive we see something new every week. 

 

Then there is the music itself, which Luther and Edwards said is given special power by God to lift us up into the heavenlies.

 

We are told in Scripture that God loves worship, and that He is specially present in the praises of his people (Ps 22.3).  We are also told that Jesus speaks through the preaching of His Word, and there may even be suggestions in Scripture that God comes especially close to his poeple on the Lord's Day.

 

More on this next week.

 

Pastor Gerry