CONGREGATION:
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

LEADER:
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; perseverance,
character; and character, hope.

CONGREGATION:
And hope does not put us to shame,
because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit,
who has been given to us.

LEADER:
You see, at just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.

CONGREGATION:
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person,
though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.

LEADER:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.

CONGREGATION:
Since we have now been justified by his blood,
how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

LEADER:
For if, while we were God’s enemies,
we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son,
how much more, having been reconciled,
shall we be saved through his life!

CONGREGATION:
Not only is this so,
but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:1-11

Song: Jesus What A Friend For Sinners

Jesus What A Friend For Sinners 20110403 from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

PRAYER
Jesus, you are the best possible friend a sinner could ever have. You proved once and for all your love for us on the cross, by reconciling us back to God.
Now you live to intercede for us to that same God, and we are blessed by riding on your coattails. You’ve called us your brothers, you’ve made us family, we are heirs to unbelievable and unending promises, and life everlasting.
Father, may this hour not pass without drawing upon the bank of heaven for more grace, and may we see this table set before us as a feast that you can’t wait for us to partake of.
With joy may we draw water from the wells of salvation here in this place. If we are here tonight unaware of our thirst and hunger, may we look steadfastly at your cross until it begins to dawn on us just what Christ has accomplished for us.
Jesus, we need your intercession, we need your upholding, your sanctification; we need you to work all your works in us, preserving us until the day of your appearing. May this table serve as a reminder, not only of the past events of the cross and the atonement, but of our present need for grace. And may our hope for that marriage supper of the Lamb be energized as we dine here in this room with the bread and the cup, among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Lead us and guide us we ask. Amen.

CHILD DEDICATIONS
Ric Rodeheaver

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

VERSE 1
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:3-6

VERSE 2
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.
But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:14-19

VERSE 3
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

What more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.
Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.
They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them.
They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. Hebrew 11:32-38
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39

VERSE 4
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life?s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

COMMUNION MEDITATION
Jerrel Haugen

THE PASSING OF THE BREAD AND CUP
Calvary’s Holy Mountain

Rock Of Ages

MEDIA SHOUT
How do you mean to live? With these precious things about you, do you intend to live like a beggar? I mean, will you be sinful, low, groveling, worldly?
Oh, rise to your rank, and as you are so ennobled, walk as becomes saints! Is Jesus Christ precious to you? Then serve Him with your best, give Him your precious things, give Him your lives, give Him your substance, give Him all that you have. Do not give the Redeemer your odds and ends, such as you can afford to give without knowing it.
Say, ‘He died to give me Himself. I will give Him myself in return.’ . . . Go and live like those who are rich to all the intents of bliss, and let your cheerful, your godly, your self-denying example be a protest to the unbelieving sons of men that you know the preciousness of Christ.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon

BENEVOLENT OFFERING
My God How Wonderful You Are

FAMILY TIME
Tribute to Sheila Massey

Thanks to the musicians: Walt Harrah, Marla Bustad, Cynthe Burbidge, Laurel McMillan, and our Grace Congregation.

Lyrics: Ethan Bustad
Live Sound: HK Maynard
Live Video: Marlin Gramenz
Record and mix: Brian Petersen

Here Is Your God: Walt Harrah on “The Light Of The Lord” from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Listen as Walt Harrah shares the heart behind the words of the songs from “Here Is Your God: Songs of Grace from the Book of Isaiah.”

The Light Of The Lord

Listen and purchase on iTunes
Download the sheet music here

Lyrics

VERSE 1
Come let us walk in the light of the Lord
Let us follow his ways
Come let us walk in the pow’r of his might
For the rest of our days
ALL AROUND US IS DARKNESS, THE BLACKEST OF NIGHT
YET WE’VE BEEN ADOPTED AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT
NO MORE DELAY, WE WILL WALK IN HIS WAY
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD
FATHER WE PRAY, HELP US WALK IN YOUR WAY
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD

VERSE 2
Come let us live with our eyes on the prize
Like we’ve only begun
Come let us live like there’s no time to lose
There’s a race to be won
ALL AROUND US IS DARKNESS, THE BLACKEST OF NIGHT
YET WE’VE BEEN ADOPTED AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT
NO MORE DELAY, WE WILL WALK IN HIS WAY
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD
FATHER WE PRAY, HELP US WALK IN YOUR WAY
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD

BRIDGE
Let’s live worthy of the promise we have received
Loving like the love we had when we first believed
Saying “no” to self, the flesh, and earthly desires
Saying “yes” to all that loving the Lord requires

VERSE 3
Come let us welcome the work of the Spirit
Transforming within
Oh dying to self, saying “yes” to his will
Daily following him
ALL AROUND US IS DARKNESS, THE BLACKEST OF NIGHT
YET WE’VE BEEN ADOPTED AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT
NO MORE DELAY, WE WILL WALK IN HIS WAY
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD
FATHER WE PRAY, HELP US WALK IN YOUR WAY
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD

Description

2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.

3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

5 Come, O house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.

It’s as though Isaiah is holding out the world’s greatest carrot, enticing us to engage our hearts and minds around the wonderful plans that God is orchestrating.

In the end, the mountain of the Lord, his ways and his truth, will be the only truth. And so in verse 5, Isaiah says, “why not follow that way here and now?” It is the path of eternal blessing. It is the way of peace with God. And those who walk on that narrow road find a delight in God that far outweighs anything the broad road has to offer.

“Here Is Your God,” is the latest worship album from Grace Evangelical Free Church in La Mirada.

Join us this Sunday at 9:00am and 11:00am during our morning services to celebrate the release with us and proclaim, “Here Is Your God.”

Watch

Watch as Walt Harrah and Erik Thoennes discuss the theology behind the songs from the new album.

Here Is Your God: Interview with Erik Thoennes and Walt Harrah from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Listen

Listen to samples and download the album now

Isaiah 40 opens up with a word we could all use in these hectic times – it’s the word comfort. It is said twice, even. Israel was probably in captivity at the time Isaiah was written, and these words must have been like a drink of cool water to God’s desperately thirsty people. If they had lost any hope of restoration, the words of chapters 40-66 of Isaiah were meant to flood the driest of hearts with the living water of God’s glorious plan and purpose.

What would it be like to sing some of these truths, so that our hope gets reawakened as well? The God who reveals himself in these chapters is still in charge, and while his ultimate plan is yet unfolding, we need all the help we can get to make it to the finish line. Surely these words were meant to give us endurance and encouragement as well.

God promised that his word would never return to him without having accomplished its purpose. May you experience revival and renewal as you listen, to the ultimate glory of God.

Songs

1. Here Is Your God : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
2. The Best Is Yet To Come : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
3. Life Everlasting : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
4. Prepare The Way : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
5. I Belong To The Lord : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
6. Despised, Rejected : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
7. Beauty From Ashes : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
8. Set Things Right : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
9. The Light Of The Lord : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
10. True Religion : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music
11. Just Wait And See : Song lyrics and description : Sheet Music

All songs by Walt Harrah 2010 Seedsower Music ASCAP
The above links will give you more info about these songs and let you download the sheet music for free at www.waltharrah.com

Credits

Produced by Walt Harrah
Engineered by Brian Petersen
Mixed and mastered by Ted Blaisdell
Cover art and layout by Becky Griswold

Musicians

Drums: Nate Warne
Bass: Andrew Braine
Electric guitar: Dale Bryson
Acoustic guitar: Kenny Clark, Drew Brokke
Percussion: Will Gearhart, Nate Warne
Violins: Lindsay Orr, Laurel McMillen, Amanda Sansonetti
Viola: Megan Grafton-Cardwell
Cello: Meghan Zeikle
String bass: Andrew Braine
Piano, pads: Walt Harrah

Vocalists

Here Is Your God
Kenny Clark and Marla Bustad
The Best Is Yet To Come
Kenny Clark
Life Everlasting
Marla Bustad
Prepare The Way
Kenny Clark
Walt Harrah and Drew Brokke, bgvs
I Belong To The Lord
Marla Bustad
Anna & Elijah Price, Chayila & Ransom Kleist, Maryn & Anna Joseph, Caroline Thoennes, choir
Despised, Rejected
Kenny Clark
Beauty From Ashes
Mindy Price
orchestrated by and piano performed by Trevor Gomes
Set Things Right
Kenny Clark
The Light Of The Lord
Marla Bustad
True Religion
Kenny Clark and Marla Bustad
Just Wait And See
Kenny Clark and Mindy Price
Walt Harrah and Mindy Price, bgvs

Grace

© 2010 Grace Evangelical Free Church
12717 S. Santa Gertrudes Avenue
La Mirada, CA 90638
(562) 943-3791
www.waltharrah.com
www.songsofgrace.org
www.graceevfree.org

Songs of Grace is a worship ministry of Grace Evangelical Free Church in La Mirada, CA.

Grace Evangelical Free Church is a community that exists to glorify God as we follow Jesus Christ. By God’s grace we seek to glorify Him through reverent worship. In His Spirit we endeavor to reach the La Mirada area and the world with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Through His Word we strive toward maturity in Christ, encouraging and equipping one another to be His ambassadors. As Christ’s body we build faithful relationships and families.

At Grace every member of the body is necessary and important for us to do the work that God has called us to do. Our members need to be active if we are going to be faithful to our mission. Our Elders equip the body, but the entire body is to be active in service.

Read more about our ministry values here

Here Is Your God: Walt Harrah on “Life Everlasting” from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Listen as Walt Harrah shares the heart behind the words of the songs from “Here Is Your God: Songs of Grace from the Book of Isaiah.”

Life Everlasting
by Walt Harrah
© 2010 Seedsower Music ASCAP
THEME: The greatest invitation possible is offered freely to all who will come. Eternal God offers eternal life.

Download the sheet music by clicking here.

Lyrics

VERSE 1
All who are thirsty, come to the waters
You don’t need no money, just buy and eat
Come buy wine and milk without money
Why go looking for what does not satisfy?

CHORUS
IT’S FREE! IT’S YOURS FOR THE ASKING!
ENJOY THE FINEST OF FARE
GIVE EAR, AND COME TO THE BANQUET
FIND LIFE EVERLASTING THERE
FIND LIFE EVERLASTING THERE

VERSE 2
Seek him while he is near, call upon him
Let the wicked leave the path they’ve known
Seek the Lord, you’ll find tender mercy
He will freely pardon, every sin atone

Description

The most famous verse in the Bible got its start in the book of Isaiah. John 3:16 And it’s the greatest promise that could ever be made. And its no empty promise.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

Isaiah 55:1-3

It’s All His
Words by Maltbie Babcock and Kenny Clark
Music by Kenny Clark

Verse 1
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world, I marvel at the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.

Chorus
It’s all His!
He’s the only sovereign King
It’s all His!
Over every living thing
Over all that was and will ever be
Our Father has all authority

So let’s bend our knees and lift our hands and sing,
“It’s all His!”

Verse 2
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world, He shines in all that’s fair
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

Chorus
It’s all His!
He’s the only sovereign King
It’s all His!
Over every living thing
Over all that was and will ever be
Our Father has all authority

So let’s bend our knees and lift our hands and sing,
“It’s all His!”

Verse 3
This is my Father’s world, O let me not forget
That though the wrong may seem so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world, Why should my heart be sad?
“The Lord is King!” the heavens ring, Let all the earth be glad.

Chorus
It’s all His!
He’s the only sovereign King
It’s all His!
Over every living thing
Over all that was and will ever be
Our Father has all authority

So let’s bend our knees and lift our hands and sing,
“It’s all His!”

This song was used for Grace EV Free Adventure Week 2010.

2010 Grace EV Free Adventure Week from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Enjoy this from Grace Adventure Week 2010!

Kid’s Adventure Week 2010 was hosted by Grace Evangelical Free Church of La Mirada. We spent the evenings with family during the week of June 28 – July 2. We journeyed back into the medieval times, we went on a quest to discover what the Kingdom of God is all about through the parables, or stories, that Jesus told. It was a fun week of Bible stories, hilarious skits, great music, fun games, and exciting crafts and activities.

http://www.kidsadventureweek.org/

http://www.graceevfree.org/

2010 Grace EV Free Adventure Week from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Enjoy this from Grace Adventure Week 2010!

Kid’s Adventure Week 2010 was hosted by Grace Evangelical Free Church of La Mirada. We spent the evenings with family during the week of June 28 – July 2. We journeyed back into the medieval times, we went on a quest to discover what the Kingdom of God is all about through the parables, or stories, that Jesus told. It was a fun week of Bible stories, hilarious skits, great music, fun games, and exciting crafts and activities.

http://www.kidsadventureweek.org/
http://www.graceevfree.org/

2010 Grace Adventure Week Video

“Ethics (motivation based on ideas of right and wrong ) we can manage on our own. We can even observe biblical ethics to keep God at a safe distance. But if our hearts are believing the promises of God, we cannot say no to him. We yield to him. We suffer dislocation in this world for his sake. We feel the ground shifting under our feet and we don’t panic. Nothing seems stable, but we accept that. We surrender to God. Drawn on toward his promises, we start changing.”
Ray Ortlund Jr.

May the Lord draw us to his promises today, and may faith spring alive as a result. Let’s start with the promise that the love of God will never fail us. It is constant, it never fails, and is with us forever.

Congregational Reading

LEADER:
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!

CONGREGATION:
His love endures forever!

LEADER:
Let Israel say:

CONGREGATION:
His love endures forever!

LEADER:
Let the house of Aaron say:

CONGREGATION:
His love endures forever!

LEADER:
Let those who fear the LORD say:

CONGREGATION:
His love endures forever!
PSALM 118:1-4

Song: Forever

Song: You Are Good

Prayer
Eternal Father, you never had a beginning.
You will never have an ending.
You are the Alpha and the Omega.
This we believe, because you have revealed it to us.
Our hearts leap up with gratitude that you have opened our eyes to see and know that Jesus Christ is your eternal, divine Son, begotten, not made, and that you, O Father, and he, your Son, are one God.
We tremble even to take such glorious truths on our lips for fear of dishonoring you with withering and inadequate words. But we must speak, because we must praise you.
Silence would shame us, and the rocks themselves would cry out. You must be praised for who you are in the world you have made.
And we must thank you for you have made us taste and see the glory of Jesus Christ, your Son.
Oh, to know him! Father, we long to know him.
Banish from our minds low thoughts of Christ.
Saturate our souls with the Spirit of Christ and all his greatness.
Enlarge our capacities to be satisfied in all that you are for us in him.
Reveal to us the Christ, and rivet our attention and our affections on the truth and beauty of your all-glorious Son.
And grant that whether rich or poor, sick or sound, we might be transformed by him and become an echo of his excellence in the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.
(Piper SEEING AND SAVORING p. 32)

So what other promises have we to claim this morning? Paul gave some advice to Timothy, reminding him that….
….the holy Scriptures
were able to make him
wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Timothy 3:15-17

The following hymn speaks of the foundation of promises we have that are found in the Holy Scriptures. Let’s let some of these promises wash over us and awaken our faith as we sing.

Song: How Firm A Foundation

Prayer
Promises of God from the Congregation

Prayer
Lord, we have the word of the prophets made more certain, because the passing centuries have tested and proven Scripture to be true again and again, in the face of fierce and relentless critics.
Help us to pay attention to it – to read it and then to heed it. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. May it have authority in our lives, and unseat any other rivals voices.
Help us to see that it is our one true and unique light source that exposes the darkness of our hearts and chases it away, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts.
Give us an appreciation of the uniqueness of Scripture, that it is not mere imaginations of man, but that these authors are speaking your words as they are being carried along by the Holy Spirit.
May the promises we come across be like wind in our sails, renewing and reviving our faith day by day as we place our trust in you, whatever life throws at us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Now And Forever

Offering

Forever With The Lord
Montgomery/Harrah
©2008 Seedsower Music ASCAP

Verse 1
Forever with Lord,
Amen! So let it be!
Life from His death!
We live in hope of immortality.
Here in this body spent,
I with creation groan,
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent
A day’s march nearer home.

Verse 2
My Father’s house on high
Invades this earthly sphere,
By means of faith’s foreseeing eye
Those golden gates appear;
And then my spirit faints
To reach that land I love,
The bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above.

Verse 3
Clouds form to intervene
And all my prospect flies,
Like Noah’s dove,
I flit between rough seas and stormy skies;
In time the clouds depart,
The winds and waters cease,
And there above my gladdened heart
Expands the bow of peace.

Verse 4
Forever with the Lord!
Forever in His will!
The promise of that faithful word,
Lord, here in me fulfill;
With you at my right hand,
Then I shall never fail,
Uphold me, Lord, and I shall stand,
Through grace I will prevail.

Verse 5
So when my latest breath
Breaks through the veil of pain,
By death, I shall escape from death
And life eternal gain;
That resurrection word,
That shout of victory,
Once more, “Forever with the Lord!
Amen! So let it be!”

Sermon: Dave Talley

Lord’s Supper

We Remember You

Song: Jesus Paid It All
The Lamb of God was slain for me
Upon that cross at Calvary
Atoning for my sins he died
Then raised to life, was glorified
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

A child of God by His design
Now I am His and He is mine
Saved by His grace, held by His love
All praise to Him who reigns above
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Doxology and Isaiah 12 (Live 3 21 2010) from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Isaiah 12

http://www.songsofgrace.org/
http://www.graceevfree.org/

LAZARUS, COME OUT | John 11
March 28 | 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY | John 12
March 28 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

BEFORE I GO | John 13 – 17
Reading Service & Communion
April 1 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

A SERVICE OF DARKNESS | John 18-19
April 2 | Good Friday | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

ALIVE TO SERVE | John 20-21
Easter Sunday | 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Extended fellowship time at 10:00 a.m.

**Child care through second grade is provided for all services.

Introduction

It’s the most important week in the history of the world, and the Gospel of John gives us a front row seat to the final events in the life of Jesus.

Grace EV Free Church
http://www.graceevfree.org
12717 S. Santa Gertrudes Ave.
La Mirada CA 90638
(562) 943-3791

The health of the world is worship. When intelligent, moral creatures are in tune in worship, we have the symphony of creation. But anywhere there is not worship, there is discord and broken strings. When all the full redeemed universe is back once more worshipping God in full voice, then we will see the new creation, the new heaven and the new earth.
- A.W. Tozer

What is worship?
by Walt Harrah

We are not alone. Far from it. This is God’s world, and He is involved in every aspect of it. Every living soul belongs to Him. Nothing escapes His attention, he sees everything. God is the potter, and we are the clay. He created us to give honor to Him, and that’s what praise and thanksgiving is. Sin, which is simply rebellion against God, has distorted everything so that now the clay thinks it’s in charge. The theory is, to ignore the Potter and He’ll go away. That’s easier said than done, for we were created in the image of God, and we feel miserable until we give Him the recognition and honor He alone deserves. That’s called worship. That also explains why there are so many unhappy and dissatisfied people in the world.

God has done all He can to restore the broken relationship. The death of His Son Jesus was a loving and sacrificial act on His part to regain what had been lost. The invitation to return to Him is open to everyone. A new and living way has been opened up for us through the cross, and we are invited to draw near to God. This is spiritual worship, what we were created for, and only the believer can experience this true worship. God is looking for this kind of worshipper, actively seeking those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. You may be one of those. You are invited to enter in.

http://www.waltharrah.com/main/what_is_worship