The Worship Quote of the Week for (10/28/2003):

Privlege of Worship These last days of October bring to mind the significant accomplishments of the Protestant Reformation. (It was on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg.) Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE is from the writings of John Calvin. In addition to his many works on pastoral and systematic theology, this 16th-century reformer also wrote commentaries on most of the books of the Bible. This excerpt deals with Psalm 52:9 and focuses on the gathered assembly of worshipers: I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. (Ps 52:9) THE PRIVILEGE OF WORSHIP Let us engrave this useful lesson upon our hearts, that we should consider it the great end of our existence to be found numbered among the worshipers of God; and that we should avail ourselves of the inestimable privilege of the stated assemblies of the church, which are necessary helps to our infirmity and means of mutual excitement and encouragement. By these, and our common Sacraments, the Lord who is one God, and who designed that we should be one in him, is training us up together in the hope of eternal life, and in the united celebration of his holy name. —John Calvin (1509-1564), from his commentary on Psalm 52. You can find Calvin’s commentaries on the web at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (www.ccel.org). The volume that includes today’s quote is found at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom09.toc.html. [There are some very good reasons to go to church (and some poor reasons). Let us pray that the Lord would grant us the "inestimable privilege" of meeting together—for our help, excitement and encouragement—training us in the hope of eternal life, unifying us as we celebrate his holy name. Wow!] Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu