W O R S H I P

I had the opportunity to Lead the Singing and play keyboard at a Ladies Retreat. I tried to think of this as Worship as opposed to Performance. I was less nervous this time. I prepared this document for the ladies. (Thanks to Andrew for his example of Worship in Youth Group.)
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WORSHIP
What does worship mean to you?
Singing? Praying? Loving? Listening? Giving? Offering? Reading? Surrendering? Repenting? Forgiving? Listening? Resting? Sharing? Caring? Adoring? Praising?

Matthew 2:1-3 (CEV)
When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem 2and said, "Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

Psalm 100:1-3 (CEV)
Shout praises to the LORD, everyone on this earth. 2Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the LORD! 3You know the LORD is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture.

Psalm 96:8-10 (NLT)
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. 10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.

Hebrews 12:28-29 (CEV)
We should be grateful that we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect. 29Our God is like a destructive fire!

John 4:23-24 (The Message)
"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

Psalm 95:5-7 (Contemporary English Version)
The ocean is the Lord's because he made it, and with his own hands he formed the dry land. 6Bow down and worship the LORD our Creator! 7The LORD is our God, and we are his people, the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture. Listen to God's voice today!

P S A L M => 3 4

1I will always praise the LORD. 2With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name. 4I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. 5 Keep your ey es on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. 6 I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles. 7 If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. 8 Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. 9 Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. 10Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. 11Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD. 12Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? 13Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. 14Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. 15If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. 16But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. 17When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles. 18The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. 19The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. 20Not one of their bones will ever be broken. 21Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. 22The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.