It is our desire at Western Mennonite Church for all who attend to experience authentic worship. What is Authentic Worship? Let’s start by defining both words individually.
Authentic is defined as real, true, genuine, worthy of acceptance.
Worship as a verb means to sanctify, glorify, praise, exalt, offer one’s prayers to, pay homage to, honor, give thanks, sing praises to, reverence, celebrate, adore, revere, laud, extol, magnify, bow down.
Putting both words together, AUTHENTIC WORSHIP is “the real, true, genuine, sanctifying ourselves to God, glorifying Him, praising Him, exalting Him, offering our prayers to Him, paying Him homage, honoring Him, giving thanks to Him, singing praise to Him, reverencing Him, celebrating Him, adoring Him, lauding Him, extolling Him, magnifying Him, bowing down to Him.
When we authentically worship we are declaring Gods’ “worth”ship. It’s ALL about HIM!
Authentic worship is Holy Spirit led and enabled and everyone has a part.
- Pastors study, pray, prepare
- Holy Spirit directs, enables
- Pastor speaks, Holy Spirit helps us to understand
- Song leaders and musicians, practice, pray for Holy Spirit’s leading in song selection, in leading and in preparing their hearts for worship.
- Worship Leaders pray and rely on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide
- Worshipers spend time during the week praying for the service, the pastor and leaders, and for God to teach us and meet us. Worshipers ask the Holy Spirit to also prepare their own heart for worship.
- Everyone comes expecting something great, ready to receive whatever God has.
How does Authentic Worship fit in with our Purpose?
“As we all do our part, our faith increases and God is free to work! We come with our eyes open asking, “What does God have for me today? Does someone need to be encouraged? Can I make someone smile? Can I help a new person feel welcome? Where can I help out? If we have this attitude, we’ll find a place to chip in and do our part. And the body is built up and encouraged.”
In Authentic Worship, we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. We love others as ourselves as we each do our part, and as we are discipled, we disciple others.
In Authentic Worship, the Holy Spirit is free to move. Lives will be changed, hearts renewed and the lost will find their hope in Christ.
You are invited to come, join in worship with us. The Worship Service begins at 9:30 AM each Sunday morning with gathering music beginning at 9:20 AM.