Worship through Giving.
Giving can be an act of worship. This is true not only of the offering, if it is included in this portion of the service, but also gifts of any kind.
At Circle Church, as preparation to praise God that He is life, we sent out a letter in advance to the families of the congregation asking the children to bring special gifts to the church for the service. The gifts were to have had life or were to be alive. They were from the children to God, an expression of appreciation for the fact that God is life and the source of all life.
That morning in the time of worship, at a scheduled moment, little children began to stream from all corners of the auditorium. Some came steadfastly, greatly impressed with the solemnity of their act. Others moved shyly. A few suppressed embarrassed giggles.
Each brought a gift of life: a shell, a bouquet of flowers, a box of white mice, a pine cone, a fossil. Green plants were placed on the table along with two parakeets in a cage. A box of salamanders found its way beside a book. One boy brought himself and drew up a chair to sit upon as a symbolic act of dedication. How beautifully each gift prepared us for the message: “The initial sign of renaissance in a society is the commitment of Christ’s followers to the life style He taught.”
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about? Or, what will you preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon? David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
