The thing that happens when people gather on Sunday is called a “worship service.”

It’s often at a building, but not always. Recently on vacation (in a very warm climate!) we gathered in a circle on the beach. Psalm 66:2 says, “sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!”

That’s what we did as we prayed, read the Bible, and sang songs together. So that was a worship service too.

But another helpful way to think about the term “worship service” has to do with what it compels us to do afterward. With this in mind I like to think about it not only as a “worship service” but as “worship then service.” After we gather to worship God we are dispersed into our communities as servants.

That’s partly why worship is so important. It draws our idle hearts and distracted thoughts back to God, reminds us of what’s what, and sends us back out into the world to be his hands and feet.

On a podcast called ‘Spirituality for Normal People,’ a hard-working and hope-filled Christian named Jennifer De Combe said that “We have to be the people of God to do the work of God.” I like that because if you don’t know who you are, it’s easy to forget what you’re supposed to do.

You ARE the people of God. And the people of God DO the work of God.

Worship services remind us of that essential truth, and launch us back into God’s world to be his hands and feet by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Many of the most powerful worship services are ones where you are compelled and propelled into service after worship. So think of it not only as a “worship service,” but as “worship then service.”

“We have to be the people of God to do the work of God.”

And if not you, who?

By Matthew Ruttan

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• Click here to find out what’s coming up in worship this Sunday at Westminster in Barrie.