Serving With Joy: Philippians 2:1–11

  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. 

 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:5–8

 

 God's presence was strong during Sunday morning worship at Shadow Valley. Before the service began Vasya, Steven, and Saul hauled song books to the chapel/fire pit pews. Ryan wandered in the same direction with the Shadow Valley guitar–only yards from where the wood was harvested–to offer a serenade until the service began.

 At 9:35, the worship bell rang, and everyone walked to the worship area,

 and found seats...

 not too big,
not too small,
but just right.

 The service opened with Karen offering a greeting and inviting everyone to join in song.

 Saul told how God spoke salvation into his life,
freeing him of addiction and calling him to a new path.
Tom then asked God to continue to bless Saul
and to use him to bring Christ's salvation to others.

 Karen, Lauren, and Ryan (with much needed help from Joel) led several more songs
before and after a time of personal confession.

 Megan read from the gospel of Mark.

 Tim delivered the day's message from Philippians 2:1–11.

His devotion about serving with joy dovetailed upon yesterday's about suffering with joy.

He pointed out Paul's call in Philippians 2 to serve not only with joy, but also with humility:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (vs. 3–4)

Tim said that when we serve Christ with true humility three things happen:
We are blessed.
Others are blessed.
God is glorified.

 Throughout the service, Tom held the phone aloft
so Harriet could participate in worship, too.

 After a few more songs, Karen sent out those gathered
to serve one another with joy and humility,
confident God would fulfill his promise
to use our service...

 to bless us...

to bless others...

all to the glory of God.
Amen.