Worship Life at Normandale

When we gather for worship

“…but the Lord was not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper, a still small voice.” I Kings 19:11-12

Ah, but life is so full of sound, a cacophony of noise mixed together in the chaos of our minds. So, God says, ‘listen…listen, and I will speak to you in a gentle whisper,’ but we need to quiet the noise, to sit and to hear the still, small voice of God.

As you come into worship, please greet your friends that you haven’t seen since last week. Reach out a hand, give a hug and offer God’s peace. Your smile will remind them of the joy we have in being together.

When greetings are complete, center your thoughts in God’s Word for the day. Read the Gospel lesson slowly, leaving space between the words to hear what God is saying to you. Let your heart wonder what sermon might be preached, how the hymn texts connect, where the prayers will knit together. Dig into worship like there is a precious jewel to be found, because there is, and his name is Jesus.

Worship is something you bring. You offer it to God with joy, thanksgiving and an ear to hear. Let the silence of our togetherness wash over you like a gentle waterfall of grace. Being together in silence can be even more powerful than our words.

Communion Instruction

Communion instruction is available for all children in grades 3-6 and their parents.

Our opening worship is designed to serve these needs:

• Prelude
  (8-12 minutes before the worship hour) Time for gathering, greeting and reading the Word.
• Words of Welcome
  (2-3 minutes before the worship hour) Congregational cares, concerns and events are shared.
• Call to Worship
  (on the worship hour) Time to quiet our hearts, minds and voices and to prepare to offer our worship. Sense the power of being together before God.