21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” —John 4:21,23-24 [NLT]
Beloved,
I’ve been awakened from my cherished sleep, convicted that I needed to invite you to worship. That may seem odd at this hour, “Come worship with us,” — but not just going to church, not just showing up for a service. This Sabbath, and the days to come, I sense GOD calling us to authentic, genuine, self-abandoned worship of GOD.
We’ve certainly heard the “don’t forsake the assembly” admonition, but this early morning prompting is deeper than that. Maybe more of the passage in context might help:
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. —Hebrews 10:23-25 [NLT]
So dear one, I want to encourage you to join your worship with ours. Today. This Sabbath, participate in worship that gathers you with GOD’s people as an encouragement of one another given Christ Jesus’ soon return.
Before I try to go back to bed, let me share with you —from the extended Arlington Church family— the astounding array we are afforded to choose from today [Saturday], and I invite you to choose any or many:
Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church [main campus]
4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX 76017-1427
• 9:00AM — Legacy Worship Service*
• 10:00AM — Outdoor Worship in the Common
• 10:15AM — Younger Generation Church*
• 10:15AM — Sabbath Schools for all ages
• 11:03AM — UGYOUTH
• 11:30AM — Mosaic Worship Service*
• 1:00PM — Thanksgiving Dinner [by reservation]
*Also broadcast online, live.arlingtonadventist.com
More information available via Arlington LIFE Online, YGLIFE, and church bulletin.
LEWISVILLE CAMPUS
1471 West Corporate Drive, Lewisville, TX 75067
• 10:00AM — Sabbath Schools for all ages
• 11:30AM — Thanksgiving Brunch and Worship Service
More information available via church bulletin and newsletter.
Canyon Creek Project [church plant]
2800 Custer Pkwy, Richardson, TX 75080
• 10:00AM — Sabbath Schools for all ages
• All Day — In partnership with Texas Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Engage Conference is being held as a special event including an array of occasion specific events.
More information available online. Discover coming events as well as their regularly scheduled in-person and online worship opportunities.
ONLINE FAMILY [digital campus]
Especially for all our beloved worshipers who join us regularly online, I wanted to give you just one more option to consider as I’m honored to join Pastor John Scott in a FREE virtual young adult weekend being hosted by Ontario Youth & Young Adult Ministries.
THRIVE TOGETHER SUMMIT 2021: IDENTITY
DATE: Friday, November 19th & Saturday, November 20th
COST: FREE! Register here.
INTENT: to engage young adults at various transitions of life in activities to develop and sustain their spiritual walk with Christ; recognize their place in the church and community, and be influencers in their world.
FOUNDATION: the Summit finds its foundation in the Young Adult Ministry goal of “Believe”. The ministry desires to encourage young adults to deepen their relationship with Christ.
KEYNOTE: Pastor Jonathan Osorio, dynamic motivational speaker, Yucaipa, CA
PRESENTERS: Pastors Andre Anderson & A. Allan Martin, Melissa Nyoni, & Pastors Elizabeth & Orlando Pule
SPONSORS: Ontario Conference Youth Ministries & Family Ministries departments
SATURDAY SCHEDULE [Eastern]:
• 9:45 am – 10:00 am Check-in & Fellowship*
• 10:00 am – 10:55 am Deep Dive (Pr Andre Anderson)**
• 11:00 am – 12:25 pm The Gathering (Pr Jonathan Osorio)**
• 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm The Afterglow (Food & Fellowship)*
• 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm The Conversation - Young Adult Leaders’ Chat (Pr A. Allan Martin)*
Important Info:
1. Broadcast: *Zoom **YouTube (@adventistyouthontario)
2. Meet up in your church or campus cluster, and your young adult group gets a financial donation towards an outreach initiative you're planning.
3. Click the above icon or here for FREE registration!
As I return to bed to try and get just a little more sleep, let me return to the earlier passage, this time in the Amplified version:
23 But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” —John 4:22-24 [AMP]
Now is the time for worship. Today and in the days to come, may you and I be adamant whom we worship with all our heart, mind, body, and soul. Sabbath peace to you beloved. Looking forward today to joining my worship with yours. —Pastor Allan