Let's Worship With Our Praise Team

We have been told that we have the best Praise Team in the whole valley, and we believe it! Under the direction of Pastor Larry Masnovi, this talented group of musicians can make the whole church shake as we give glory to God! They certainly understand the meaning of worship through music!

What is Worship?

When you worship God on Sunday mornings through songs and sermons, where is your focus? When you sing the lyrics, does your heart hear the words as you praise God and think about all that he does for you? Do you worship God throughout your busy week?

Jesus gives some clear teaching about worship in a conversation with a Samaritan woman. "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24 (NIV).

God seeks worshipers. He doesn't just seek praise. He seeks people who find their identity as worshipers of God - people who were created to worship God. That's us!

In Malachi 1:11, God is bringing worship to His name, all over the world. "My name will be great among the nations - and in every place incense will be offered to my name." (NIV)

To worship in spirit means genuine worship as opposed to empty, formal worship. Worship in spirit corresponds to the "How" of worship, and it must be vital and real in the heart. It involves an internal activity of our spirits, enabled and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Worship in truth means worship grounded in God's Word. As Jesus says in John 17:17, "Your word is truth." (NIV) It corresponds to the "Who" of worship and it must focus on objective, unchanging truths about God. 

Biblical worship, then, is worship in spirit and truth. That means deep, strong affections for God, in response to unchanging truth from His Word. Worship is a response to God, a response that comes from focusing on God's person - who He is and what He has done for us. 

When we worship we need to truly focus. You may be singing "Holy, Holy, Holy," but if you aren't focused on God and thinking about Him while singing it, you are not really worshipping. If the focus isn't clear, the response will be weak. Imagine trying to look at a beautiful flower garden, inhabited by brightly colored exotic birds, with a blurry, ineffective pair of binoculars. It's the same way in worship. A deep, meaningful response of worship requires a sharp, clear focus on God. In true worship we turn the searchlight of our mind and heart upon God.

(This excerpt comes from www.genuineworship.com.)

Another Great Site: Worship Together

Our Praise Team Members:

Worship Pastor
Larry Masnovi

Vocals
Jane Tisdel
Megan Schlink
Penny Samer
Chuck Lunden

Guitar
Alan Faulkner
Eric Williamson
Steve Matacia
Steve Dalgren (Uncle Steve)

Saxophone
William Smith

Trumpet
Nick Ford
Todd Lewandowsky

Drums
Chris Faulkner

Sound
Steve Ferguson
Cliff Jennings

---