The Wonder and Awe of Worship

August 19, 2026

Leadership Notes

     Last Sunday, August 16, started out as one of the most tropical feeling Sundays we’ve ever had this far north of the equator. Oppressive barely does it justice. What happened inside was a different story. There were many beautiful moments in worship.

     First, the music…the singing…how it wove the elements of what I would be preaching on from Luke into our worship. Here’s how someone described it in a text to me on Monday:

“The song we sung yesterday…was amazing. When everyone was singing

in unison I had this feeling come over me, like a feeling of awe. Like I was

feeling God’s presence. It was amazing!”

I think he captures the moment perfectly.

     The morning began with an expression of great compassion and sensitivity from our congregation. A lovely member of our church had been ill for several weeks, which included a time of hospitalization. Once home, she continued her recovery. She was not able to be in worship for several Sundays.

     August 16^th was her first Sunday back since she fell ill. As you can imagine, it was a very emotional time for her. She was warmly welcomed back. Many asked her how she was doing. She was still a wee bit weak {not surprising to any of us who have had one sort of bug or another}. When worship started, she was in a very prayerful, thankful place. I have to tell you, you were so attentive/sensitive to her needs. What unfolded warmed my pastoral heart.

     She wanted us to continue on, which we did in most worshipful ways… as evidenced by the text message I received the next day! To say everything that happened in and around worship captured the wonder and awe of worship would be an understatement. To quote a favorite worship song:

Anytime in weakness someone falls upon their knees

Or dares to speak the truth that sets men free

Anytime the choice is made to stand upon the Word

I know, I know, I know, I know

God is on the move, on the move

Hallelujah

God is on the move

In many mighty ways

God is on the move, on the move

Hallelujah

God is on the move

On the move today, yeah

Here’s my favorite refrain:

I see a generation standing on the truth

In each and every nation, God is on the move

     That is you. That describes the beautiful people of Covenant Church. There’s no place on earth I’d rather be…

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“It would be very difficult to draw a line between holy wonder

and real worship; for when the soul is overwhelmed with the

majesty of God's glory, though it may not express itself in song, or

even utter its voice with bowed head and humble prayer, yet it

silently adores.”

I think that just about covers it.

     With Much Love and Affection,

                     Richard