Afternoon Worship Service Begins (1/11/25)

It’s Sunday Morning- time for Church!  Then again, for many of us Sunday morning is a time for lots of other activities.  Commitments to family and other obligations can make it impossible to attend a Sunday Morning Worship service. 

For those who cannot make it on Sunday Morning, PUMC is now offering a second option.  Beginning 1/11/26, PUMC will hold a Sunday Afternoon Worship Service (in addition to the 10:15 AM Sunday Morning service).  This new service will be held at 4:00PM in the afternoon.   The Afternoon Worship Service will feature the same sermon that was presented in the morning, but the music will be a bit more contemporary and the atmosphere will be a bit less formal.

Here are the details…

Worship:  Essential and for Everyone

One of the hymns that’s familiar to many of us is entitled “This Is My Father’s World.” The author (Maltbie D. Babcock) was a pastor in northwestern New York in the late 1800’s.  While taking one of his usual walks, he was inspired to write a poem which eventually became the hymn we know as “This is My Father’s World.” 

Babcock’s inspiration came through nature.  Instead of stained glass windows on a Sunday Morning, his “church” was adorned with rustling grass, singing birds, lilies white, skies and seas, and rocks and trees. The the power of mountains and the simplicity of lilies prompted him to worship.

All of creation is designed to praise our Creator.  That includes people. Even people who can’t make it to church on Sunday Morning.

In our own time and surroundings, many of us gain inspiration through the traditional designs of a typical church sanctuary.  The grandeur and holiness of the space reminds us of forces greater than ourselves.  We are drawn to God when we recognize God’s creativity, authority, power, and holiness.

The tradition of meeting in a sanctuary on Sunday Morning connects us with others who share the same awe of God’s power and grace.  But you don’t have to be in a church sanctuary to open yourself to God’s Spirit.  In the same way, you don’t have to go to a church on Sunday morning in order to open yourself up to God. 

Worship comes when we are overcome by the worthiness of our awesome God.  Whether you’re memorized by the beauty of nature or inspired by the music of a traditional Sunday Morning worship service, our spirits are sharpened and we draw closer to God whenever we worship Him.

To worship, we need to take a break from our normal routine, stop focusing on our “to-do list” and problems, and reflect on God and our relationship to Him.  We need to join with others; we need other “hot coals” to keep our faith glowing.  To do this, we need to develop habits and special times when we rest from our human concerns and instead turn our hearts and minds to God. 

That can happen any time, but we do need to set that time aside.  Just as we need routines and habits to take care of our physical needs,  we also need routines and habits to tend to our spiritual needs. The routine of “going to church”, regardless of the day, or time, or place, is an essential ingredient for spiritual growth.  

Sunday Morning is a great time to gather together to worship God.  But worship can happen at any time: even on a Sunday Afternoon (or Wednesday night, for that matter…).  God is seeking fellowship with all people. If you can’t attend church on Sunday morning or don’t connect with hymns and organ music, God still delights in your worship and praise.  Regardless of the day or time or place, let’s worship together!

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