Article: What does worship mean?

Frank Hart is the frontman for Atomic Opera, a solo artist, worship leader for CrossPoint Church (a LCMS sacramental church plant), creative director, public speaker and record producer draws our attention to the fact that worship is more than singing....and really about how we relate to God!!!

Read the article at http://www.fivetwo.com/what-does-worship-mean/

Article: How to love people you don't like

Caroline Carver in Relevant Magazine writes
I was once working with a wise woman teaching a Bible study and she told a story of a relative in a tough situation. This relative was having conflict with someone in her family, and although this individual appeared to be a victim in the situation, whenever someone asked her about her feelings toward her family member she said these five simple words, “I have chosen to love.”
Those words struck me years ago and continue to resurface in my heart whenever I am faced with the obstacle of loving people who are hard to love. We all have different individuals in our lives, some perpetually difficult and others that surround us just for a season, that take a special kind of effort for us to show generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness and of course, love.
Whether it is a negative coworker, an exhausting friendship or a challenging family member, there are times when we just want to give up on people and feel as though all our love and patience has run out. I believe in these instances and circumstances we need to be reminded of the truth, of the reality that we have access to a love that is always abounding, always giving, always selfless, always real and true.
Our ability to love is a heart issue, and there are specific things we need to examine and be reminded of when we’re having a hard time loving the people around us:

Discover the 4 questions we need to ask when faced with loving someone we don't like....at http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/4-questions-ask-when-you%27re-having-hard-time-loving-others

Narrative Lectionary

The Narrative Lectionary is a four-year cycle of readings. On the Sundays from September through May each year the texts follow the sweep of the biblical story, from Creation through the early Christian church.
The texts show the breadth and variety of voices within Scripture. They invite people to hear the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the prophets, Jesus, and Paul. Listening to the many different voices within Scripture enriches preaching and the life of faith.


Resources for Narrative Lectionary
Background resources
Watch a video of Craig Koester introducing the Narrative Lectionary
Working Preacher
Narrative Lectionary Workday video
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Elizabeth City North Caroline
Christian Century Article - Why I am trying the Narrative Lectionary

Resources for Weekly Worship and Church Life
The 4 year readings
Facebook group-Narrative Lectionary
Google Group - Narrative Lectionary
Textweek
Working Preacher weekly commentary
Friendship Presbyterian Church commentary, liturgy and sermons
RevGalBlogPals Narrative Lectionary commentaries
Worship Resources from Reflectionary
Clergy Stuff Narrative Lectionary Resources
Spill the Beans worship and learning resources
Darkwood Brew
2014-15 Hymn suggestions
Word to Worship Contemporary Song Selections

Sunday School resources - Spirit and Truth
Daily Devotions from Living in God's Story

Mission and Outreach hymns and songs

Hymns and Songs with a mission or outreach theme are available from:

• Nethymnal 
• Howard Culberstson - professor of Southern Nazarene University
• Hymnary
• Presbyterian Church of New Zealand
• Lutheranhymnal -  go to this link then scroll down to Mission entry
• Song Select - contemporary songs
• Worship Together - contemporary songs

Video: Two scariest lies in our world - Francis Chan

Francis Chan shares a short message about two common lies many people today fall for that give them a false understanding of God....