We all have our preferences when it comes to worship. The songs we love, the instruments we enjoy, the volume, the style, and even whether we raise our hands or keep them comfortably at our sides.

But this Sunday, as we continued our Called to Be series with Celebration, Pastor Heath challenged us to look beyond those preferences and consider something much more important: the posture of our hearts.

In Isaiah 6:1–7, we encounter a breathtaking picture of God seated on His throne, surrounded by heavenly beings declaring His holiness. Isaiah's response wasn't about music or presentation. It was about recognizing the greatness of God, his own unworthiness, and the grace that made it possible for him to stand in God's presence.

Through Jesus, we too have been invited into that presence. Our guilt and shame no longer need to keep us from drawing near.

Worship isn't a performance to evaluate. It's a response to a God who is worthy.

And that response shouldn't begin and end with a few songs on Sunday morning.

Heath reminded us that worship grows out of a life spent walking with God. When we prepare our hearts, pray for one another, make room for fellowship, and lift our voices together, we're doing more than singing. We're encouraging one another and strengthening the body of Christ.

So perhaps the question to carry into this week isn't “Did I enjoy worship on Sunday?”

It's “Did I come ready to worship the One who is worthy?”

Because celebration begins when our attention shifts from what we prefer to Who we praise.

This week, let's put one of Heath's practical challenges into action: prepare your heart before you arrive on Sunday.

Choose one or two small steps:

• During the week: Spend a few minutes reading a Psalm or listening to a worship song, giving God your full attention.

• Before Sunday: Pray for the worship team, Pastor Heath, and the people who will gather, including someone who may be walking through the doors for the first time.

• On Sunday morning: Arrive a few minutes early, greet someone, and give yourself time to settle your heart before worship begins.

• When the music starts: Set aside your preferences and join in. It doesn't need to sound perfect. It's not an audition!

One question to carry with you:

Am I coming to worship with a heart ready to celebrate God, or am I waiting for something to make me feel like worshipping?

A little preparation can make room for a much deeper celebration.

This week in Kids' Church, our children continued their journey through The Prayer Covenant for Children with Lesson 5: Worship.

Through the Christmas story in Luke 2:1–20, they explored how the birth of Jesus gave the world an incredible reason to celebrate and praise God!

The big lesson? Worship is more than singing songs at church. It's giving God our attention, thanking Him for His goodness, and showing our love through our words and actions.

Worship can be loud and joyful, or quiet and still. It can happen when we sing, pray, help someone, or simply take time to thank God.

Their verse of the day was Psalm 9:1:

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds!”

And this week's new line in their Prayer Covenant is:

“I will praise you with my whole heart!”

Take It Home | A Heart Full of Praise

Worship doesn't have to wait until Sunday!

This week, ask your child:

“What's one thing God has done that makes you want to say thank you?”

Then explore a few different ways to worship together. Sing a favourite worship song in the car, thank God during bedtime prayers, or find a simple way to show His love through kindness.

Remind your child that worship isn't about how loudly we sing or how perfectly we pray. It's about loving God with our whole hearts.

This week's Prayer Covenant reminder:

“I will praise you with my whole heart!”

A thankful heart can turn even an ordinary moment into an opportunity for worship.