Welcome to…
WORSHIP
at
Springville First United Methodist Church
SUNDAY WORSHIP
9:00AM
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
Family Life Center
11:00AM (10:30 in Summer)
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
Sanctuary
"Come, let us bow down and worship him; let us kneel before the Lord,our Maker! He is our God; we are the people he cares for, the flock for which he provides."
-Psalm 95:6&7, TEV
WHY WORSHIP?
Worship is an encounter with the living God. Worship brings people into God’s presence. He’s always there, but that’s not always how it seems to us. Worship calls us away from life’s distractions and responsibilities and focuses our attention on God. We become aware of his presence. Joining our spirits with his Spirit changes everything – gives us wisdom, love, strength, and peace we could never find within ourselves and our world. Worship unites our hearts with God.
Worship is our way of praising God, valuing him and thanking him for all he does in our lives. In worship we see God as "high and lifted up" – far above things we value in this world.
Worship also allows us to see our lives and our world from God’s point of view, in Scripture and reflection, Sacraments and prayer, singing and fellowship. That new perspective helps us to sort our priorities and make better choices. Worship brings God’s influence to bear on our lives.
Worship brings God’s people together in fellowship. As different as we are in many ways, Christians are united in Christ. We have different personalities and gifts; different ethnic backgrounds, vocations, and stages in life. We approach God from different vantage points, but we join hearts, hands, and voices in one body of believers. We find ourselves growing closer to each other as we grow closer to God.
Worship focuses on God – "it’s not about us." At the same time, whenever we focus on God and spend time in his presence, we are transformed, strengthened, and equipped to be better people – ultimately to be more like him. Life is better when God is at the center.
Worship renews our lives. In Jesus Christ we find grace, which is both forgiveness and the power to change. Instead of confusion, we find direction. He moves us along a path from selfishness to love.
Worship enables us to make a difference. Instead of being exhausted from life’s demands, we’re energized to take on the world.
Worship is both traditional and contemporary. It connects us with Christians of all ages and allows us to "sing a new song" in the present moment.
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
Our 9AM service is informal, using Scripture and reflection, contemporary Christian music and media to bring us into God’s presence and encourage a living connection between God and ourselves. We meet in the Family Life Center, which conveys a sense of simplicity, informality, and welcome. Worship is led by pastors and praise team, supported by our media team. Lyrics, readings, and illustrations are on screen.
Because what is "contemporary" constantly changes, contemporary worship is creative, fresh, and generally new. Because its purpose connects us with the eternal God, contemporary worship springs from the same Spirit who inspired those who have sung and prayed in every generation. Sacraments are celebrated in a variety of ways that fit with a contemporary context and maximize active participation in receiving the means of grace.
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
Our 11AM service draws on the prayer, reflection, and music of past and present, from many cultures and the entire history of the Church. Tradition means that which is handed on, and we are grateful for the rich legacy of Christian worship that began in Scripture and extends into the future. We meet in the Sanctuary, which employs form and symbols that convey a sense of mystery, transcendence, and continuity with Christians of all ages. Worship is led by pastors, musicians, lay worship leaders, and Scripture readers, and sent out to the community by our radio ministry.
Since our worship blends historical patterns and content with contemporary adaptations and resources, it represents the living tradition of Christian worship which some have described as "ancient/future." Sacraments are celebrated in ways that maximize active participation in receiving the means of grace.
UNITY SERVICES
From time to time all of us gather to worship in the Sanctuary or Family Life Center to celebrate special events and rejoice that we are one fellowship in Christ. While we express our faith in different styles of worship and in many different ministries, we have a common identity and purpose in Christ that is deeper and stronger than our differences. Even so, we rejoice that we can approach worship and Christian life in ways that express who we are. God speaks to us and works through us together, and in all our individuality.
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
-Acts 2:42, NIV
BOTH SERVICES include the Biblical ingredients of Scripture and reflection ("the Apostles’ teaching"), fellowship in Christ, Holy Communion ("the breaking of bread"), and prayer. (Acts 2:42) Much of our prayer takes the form of music. We reaffirm the faith we share and encourage each other on the path of life. We seek God’s wisdom and power, and lift up our hearts in thanksgiving and praise. Our limited resources are replenished.
Communion/The Lord’s Supper/The Eucharist is celebrated monthly, on special occasions, and in small group and retreat settings.
Baptism is celebrated for infants and, for those not already baptized, for people of any age.
The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion are means of grace, not empty rituals. While their symbolism reminds us of events long past, they are more than symbols or reminders. God comes to us here and now in these celebrations. Baptism celebrates the beginning of our journey of faith, while Communion provides spiritual nourishment all along the journey. In both events, the Holy Spirit is at work and at the Lord’s Table, Jesus Christ is our host.
Music is vital to both services. Through it we offer ourselves to God and receive his word to us. Music speaks to and from our deepest emotions. We strive always to avoid performing and to keep the focus on God through the musical gifts he has provided.
…Nursery care is available during the 9:00 & 11:00 worship services (and during the Sunday School hour) for infants and children up to and including 5 years old.
…Newborn crying/nursing room has broadcasts at 9:00 services in the "Cave" on TV. Feel free to escape with your little ones who may be restless or hungry.
…Worship services broadcast LIVE (11:00 AM) over FM & 1330 WSPQ.
…Upper Room devotionals are available in the entryway for each month.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."
-Psalm 107:1, NLT
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