Introduction, Response to Worship

My name is Kimberly McCown-Jones. I am a first year MATS/MDIV student at WTS. I am taking this class because I feel that there is a definite need for some spiritual direction in my life. My husband has been very ill and unable to work since July. He has had six eye surgeries and is currently blind in his right eye. All of this has put a terrible strain on the entire family. I have begun to feel "spiritually stale." My prayers seem hollow. God seems so far away. I feel spiritually "out of sync." I am expecting to reconnect spiritually with the God of my salvation. I would like to learn new techniques for worship, prayer, and meditation. I am open to what God wants to do for me, through me, and with me during this trimester.
1) Define worship from Scripture, your experience, your church tradition.
When I think about worship, two Scriptures come to mind: "[...]Believe Me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the FAther in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (Jn4:21b-24 [CSB]); "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship" (Ro12:1 [CSB]).

I have had a variety of religious experiences concerning worship. My spiritual journey was a very interesting one. I was raised for my first 10 years as a Methodist (CME), then I entered the Roman Catholic faith (13yrs), I then became LDS (mormon) (1yr), and then God saved me out of mormonism and I joined a Church of God (Cleveland, TN), later I joined a Baptist congregation (NBC). I am currently a member (8yrs) and an ordained elder, in the United Holy Church of America, Inc. It is the oldest African American, Pentecostal denomination in the United States, founded in 1868 in Method, North Carolina. As you can see from my "checkered" past, I have particpated in traditional, quiet, and reflective worship, as well as ecstatic, exuberant, and outward worship. I am most comfortable with the latter style. I would be considered mild, by Pentecostal standards, but I enjoy the liberty of self-expression (audible expression of praise,testimonies, uplifted hands, dancing, etc), the reverence of the Holy Spirit, and the operation of the gifts of the Spirit (tongues, prophecy, laying on of hands, healing, word of knowledge/word of wisdom, etc). I am very interested in the monasticism of the early Christians and the practice of Spiritual Rules. I am looking forward to a very informative and inspiring trimester.
2)Reflect upon Sabbath, what is God's intention with the creation ordinance (see Genesis 2:1-2), note this law is not about sin. How would you envision leading your congregation in practicing Sabbath?
I believe that we, as Christians, should follow God's example. He rested after six days of creating the world. We should rest from our labor. The Sabbath is blessed and holy according to Genesis 2. We honor the Sabbath by taking time out of our busy lives and pausing to rest, to praise, and to worship the God of all Creation. I have always tried to observe the Sabbath. As a child, I walked to church alone. My mother and brother did not attend church. When I began to work, I always set aside time for worship. I tried to avoid working on Sundays. If I had to work, I actively sought opportunities to worship during a mid-week or Sunday evening service, even if it meant uniting with other congregations. I am learning that observing the Sabbath does not have to be restricted to Saturday or Sunday alone. For clergy, Saturday and Sunday may seem like work and not rest. It is important that clergy members find their Sabbath rest also, which may require them to "think outside the box" concerning Sabbath. I believe any day can be set aside for Sabbath observance. If I were leading a congregation, I would stress the importance of family time. I would try to limit the amount of church programming on Sunday evenings. I love church and I enjoy church work; however, I think that many churches bombard members with programs which can take away from the true meaning of Sabbath. If we are not careful, our Sabbath can turn into another day of work.
3) Write a Psalm.
O Sovereign Lord,
I praise you for your glorious deeds,
I worship ou because you are holy and good.
Help me to cling to you in times of sorrow and despair.
Strengthen me when I am weak,
Help me in my unbelief.

I love you beacuse you first loved me.
I trust in you,
No other help I know
I will serve you all of my days,
I will follow you forevermore.