WORSHIP

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne.

—Rev. 4:10

7582 God Is Critic

“Most people think of the church as a drama,” Dr. James Kennedy said, “with the minister as the chief actor, God as the prompter, and the laity as the critic. What is actually the case is that the congregation is the chief actor, the minister is the prompter, and God is the critic.”

7583 A Prescription For Worship

Enter the place of worship a little before the service begins. Enter expectantly. God has promised to meet you there. Whisper a prayer. When the first hymn is announced, open your hymnal to that place. If you cannot sing, follow the words. Bow your head and close your eyes during the prayer. As you give, pray that God will accept the gift. During the special music, be attentive and prayerful. When the minister preaches, pray for him and listen attentively. Be silent; expect to sing or to say “Amen!”

—Evangelical Friend

7584 Worshipping The Speakers?

A visiting minister was substituting for the famed pastor Henry Ward Beecher. A large audience had assembled to hear the popular pastor. At the appointed hour, the visiting minister entered the pulpit. Learning that Beecher was not to preach, several began to move toward the doors. The visiting minister stood and called out, “All who have come here today to worship Henry Ward Beecher may now withdraw from the church! All who have come to worship God, keep your seats!” No one then left.

—Selected

7585 Old Church’s Outside Markings

A man who had travelled in Europe says that while many of the old cathedrals in France are beautiful on the inside, their exterior is often distasteful because of the art carvings which depict animals with hideous features. Inquiring about this strange custom, he was told that the builders in the Middle Ages wanted these figures to represent man’s carnal appetites and prejudices! They were placed there to remind all who came to worship that they should leave bitterness and wrath outside the sanctuary if they hoped to receive God’s blessings.

7586 Phidias’ Name On Statue

Phidias was asked to carve a statue of the god of the people. After he finished, he chiselled in the corner in small letters the word “Phidias.”

But the people refused to worship the statue as it bore the sculptor’s name. It was even seriously questioned whether Phidias should be stoned because he desecrated the statue.

7587 Queen Stands At “Messiah”

When Queen Victoria had just ascended her throne she went, as is the custom of Royalty, to hear “The Messiah” rendered. She had been instructed as to her conduct by those who knew, and was told that she must not rise when the others stood at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. When that magnificent chorus was being sung and the singers were shouting “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,” she sat with great difficulty.

It seemed as if she would rise in spite of the custom of kings and queens, but finally when they came to that part of the chorus where with a shout they proclaim Him King of Kings suddenly the young queen rose and stood with bowed head, as if she would take her own crown from off her head and cast it at His feet.

—J. Wilbur Chapman

7588 Worshipping Or Accusing

One day a disciple of Mohammed declared: “Master, my six brothers are asleep and I alone have remained awake to worship Allah.” “It would have been better for you to remain asleep,” answered the Prophet, “If your worship of Allah is to be mixed with accusations against your brothers.”

7589 Puerto Rico Rules Against Church Noise

Beginning this month a lot of Puerto Rican churches will make some changes in order to comply with the government’s announced war on noise. In some cases, members will have to restrain themselves in singing and praying; in others, amplifiers will have to be turned down or off, and instruments muted.

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled, after a fourteen-year delay, that churches cannot produce noise that will annoy neighbours and that they must limit the volume of sound. A dispute had erupted over the noise produced by the Pentecostal Church of God in San Juan. Traditional Christmas masses were nearly cancelled in a Catholic church in San Juan when a neighbour reportedly complained that the music would disturb his early-morning sleep. Catholic and Protestant leaders alike are sounding off against the new regulations.

—Christianity Today

7590 Epigram On Worship

•     Before the worship service, if one needs to be talking, talk with the Lord!

See also: Church ; Prayer ; Sunday.