Songs From The Valley

Join us at 7:00pm on Sunday, January 31st at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek for Songs From The Valley.

Featuring Jordan Reed, Art Heckman and Jason Bendickson.
Saint Matthew
399 Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Mike Breen & Michael Frost | Feb 12 & 13, 2010

Missional Theology
Friday, February 12, 2010 - Saturday, February 13, 2010
Saint Matthew Lutheran, Walnut Creek
Registration Form


4.20.21 is code for John 20:21 ... Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." This preview of our mandate sets the theme for an unprecedented missional learning experience --- co-sponsored by The Renewal Project and Church Without Shoes in 2010. These three gatherings will provide practical insights and stimulate in-depth conversation for the church/ministry leadership teams that will be participating.

OUTFLOW

Starting Sept 6th, we'll be doing a six-week congregation wide study called "Outflow".

Everyone will be encouraged to be part of small group for the duration of the study and make a commitment to being in worship each week. There will be new 6pm worship service that will take place in the Teen Center that also starts on Sept 6th.

You can sign up for a small group here

Why We Worship Together

Well, school is out and summer is here! As I write this article, I’m reflecting on a presentation I heard at the men’s Crosswalk retreat. The words I heard that weekend are still ringing in my ears: “Don’t try to do this on your own.” The presenter was highlighting a crucial element in the life of the believer who is striving to follow Jesus – community.

When I heard these words, I immediately thought about why it’s important for us to worship together and make the commitment to attend worship regularly. According to scripture, we have been created to thrive in community. God recognized that it was not good for Adam to be alone and created a help-mate, Eve (Gen. 2:18).

The words of scripture also encourage us to “keep meeting together” (Hebrews 10:25) and to encourage one another through “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19) as we are led by the Spirit. In the second chapter of Acts, we read about the early church and how “they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). This is a good model for us in an age where we are so easily enticed to stay disconnected and distracted from the needs and encouragement of our community. When we meet on Sunday mornings the very act of participating together in worship fosters “glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46). This in turn encourages unity and growth in the Body of Christ(Acts 2:47).

I have heard people say that they will “worship on their own” in the car with a worship music CD or participate in a worship service online at home. There is a time and place for worshiping and praying in solitude and it was modeled for us by Jesus (Luke 6:12). Our busy lives can certainly prevent us from making it to church every Sunday morning, and it is good to have alternatives for when we’re out of town or on vacation. But committing to being at church regularly to worship with the community whenever you are in town has a significant spiritual and unifying impact on the Body of Christ!

May you be blessed as you enjoy this summer!
Peace,
Jason