Dear Faith Family, 

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of His robe filled the temple.  Above Him stood the seraphim.  Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”, (Isaiah 6:1-3). 

1,548 + 746 = 1,083.  Wait just a minute!  That doesn’t add up!  Unless you consider that there were 1,548 teaching elders (pastors) + 746 ruling elders = 1,083 PCA churches represented.  If that makes your head spin (as it does mine), you ought to make a motion on the floor of the General Assembly of the PCA!  Once a motion is properly made and seconded, discussion and debate are up for those brave enough to approach a microphone.  How many short-winded elders do you know?! 

But, here we are, nearly 2,300 strong.  And, although the business of the church is laboriously necessary, the highlight of the assembly is worship.  Last night we crowned Jesus with many crowns as our voices somehow blended before the Lamb upon His throne.  Through broken confession and boisterous adoration we communed together with our living Christ! 

And this afternoon?  This afternoon we proclaimed in Christ alone with heart and soul and voices.  Recognizing and declaring the truth about our Christ overwhelms and bolsters us at the core our beings.  Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand. 

“Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God.  It is the quickening of the conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose – all this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable.” (William Tempe) 

So, stop what you’re doing (pull over and park somewhere safe if you’re driving!).  Read His Word.  Read Isaiah 6.  Through broken confession pour out your heart to your Christ in prayer.  Turn on some music and sing your heart out in adoration to your Christ.  Worship – it’s what you were made for. 

Looking forward to worshipping with you Sunday, 

Pastor Karl