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We are very aware of worship on Sunday morning. We attend and participate in the "worship service" for an hour or so of congregational worship. During this time, we worship by singing praise songs; giving tithes and offerings; listening to a teaching we call a sermon; praying; remembering Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and promise to return during Communion; and greeting other believers with a few moments of fellowship. Each of these actions are worship, but they are not the only time and place we can worship our creator God. What about when you serve by providing music? What about when you give of your time and talent by providing child care, or teaching a class, or helping set up the sanctuary, or helping with sound and lighting? Giving in these ways is also worship when done with a grateful heart as an expression of thanksgiving to God. 

How about when you are home and studying your Bible or praying? How about when you spend time with a lonely neighbor, or listening to someone that is in distress, or sitting with your friend while their loved one is in surgery? How about when you help a total stranger by repairing their house that was damaged by a hurricane, flood, or tornado? How about when you assist someone with a task that is difficult or impossible for them to do? Yes, all of these are worship to our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ because of your relationship with Him. 

Jesus asks us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and to "love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus then said, "There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31). Worship often in lots of different ways.

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Paul Travis

Paul and his wife Beverly have four children, 18 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. They live near Anderson and have attended Venture for 16 years. Paul has held teaching and leadership positions in churches since high school and continues to be active in retirement. Helping others is a gift Paul exercises often. Paul is currently leading The Neighborhood ministry, volunteering regularly at IDES, and making disaster recovery trips from time to time. Having led and participated in several mission trips to South America and Africa, Paul has seen poverty up close. He has also been active in the US following hurricanes, floods, and tornados. And yes, Paul also sees the needs in our neighborhood due to medical situations, aging issues, distant families, and many other reasons. Paul believes the church should help those in need locally in addition to those around the world!