Dear friends,

What does it mean to grow as a worshiping community?

This Sunday, Dale Haight will preach from Psalm 96:1–13 and reflect on the heart of worship. The psalm invites the whole earth to sing to the Lord, proclaim his salvation, and worship him “in the beauty of holiness.” By the end, even the trees join in. Apparently, worship is rather bigger than what happens inside a church building.

But notice why creation rejoices. The Lord comes to judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with truth. God’s faithful rule is good news for the world he has made. Our worship responds to that goodness and teaches us to trust it.

Over the past year, we have welcomed people, explored our Eucharistic life, and made room for more voices and gifts among us. There is much to celebrate, and much still to become together.

That growth begins with spiritual maturity, wisdom, and faithfulness. As we hear Scripture, pray, and gather at the table, we learn again whose world this is and who we are within it: creatures of our Creator, drawn through baptism into the risen life of Jesus.

That perspective takes us toward our neighbors. The God whose justice gives creation reason to rejoice calls us to practice generosity, forgiveness, and care here in Warren County. Growing in worship should deepen our capacity to serve.

And as maturity and service deepen, we may grow in our reach, welcoming others into a community where they too can grow in faith and share their gifts.

This Sunday, we join the psalm’s song with our voices. Then comes another week of learning to give that praise flesh and blood in the way we live together.

Peace,

Joe