Contemplative Worship

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Worshiping through Contemplation…

Contemplation (or meditation) is one of many ways that we can seek and find healing rest in the Lord. To be contemplative is to experience a relationship with God in the present and to be filled with the sustaining love of Christ. The ultimate goal is to find peace by stepping back from the busyness of our daily lives and cultivating a quiet heart so that we may rely on the Lord for strength and guidance.

In the Contemplative Service, worship is experiential in nature. Each worship service is unique with times of quiet reflection, cleansing breath, and a guided activity. In September a contemplative series based on the Elements of Fire, Water, Wind and Earth was concluded. Worshipers were challenged to be refined by God’s purifying fire, to wash away the barriers of self doubt, to allow the breath of God to blow within them, and to excavate their heart from the binds of pride, sin and disloyalty. In October a new seven part series will begin based on experiencing a deeper relationship with Christ through each of the human SENSES.

You are encouraged to come and experience a Contemplative Service and see for yourself the power and intimacy of this worship experience. The Contemplative Service is held the third Sunday of each month in the Log Cabin at 9:45 a.m. If you have questions about the Contemplative Service, or would like to volunteer to lead a part of the service, please contact Jenn Bissett jenn@allforYouLord.com or
Vicki Jones skymackmom@yahoo.com

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. Matthew 9:20-22

Our next Contemplative Service is Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 9:45 in the Log Cabin. In this service, worship is quiet and experiential in nature. Come and enjoy a quiet intimate experience as you reach out in faith to be touched by God.

With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for". Isaiah 6:7

Comments from participants in the Contemplative Service

* The Contemplative Service does something for my heart that nothing else does.

* The service always brings something new to me that I believe is God's gift to me that morning. I worship Him and He adores me. The deep listening that occurs in the silence is powerful and I hear His voice most clear. The readings reassure me of His great love for me and affirm my most needed hope that He is present with me and greatly desires my company.

* The Contemplative Service is another way to experience the presence of God. It refreshes my soul, by calling me to look inward to worship, reflect and respond, inviting me to use all my senses. If I were to explain it, I would probably just have to say, "Come and see," as it would be different for each person.

* I think the service is like sitting in a quiet, reflective place allowing God to speak to you on a deeper, more intimate level that facilitates self-discovery.

* From the moment you enter the environment there is no doubt you are in the Lord's presence...For me the guided breathing time connects me ever so close to God as I feel the energy of the room in my finger tips and breath in all that is GOOD.