Why We Gather: Renewing Our Purpose in Worship at a Local Roswell Church

If you’ve spent any time in a church setting, you might have heard the playful complaints: The chairs are so uncomfortable, The sermon was longer than 30 minutes, Why don’t we have donuts in the lobby? We smile at these comments because we’ve likely had them cross our own minds. But beneath the humor lies a deeper question that we, as a local church in the Roswell community, need to ask: “Who are we really worshiping when we gather?”

In our church family we believe it’s vital to renew and refresh our understanding of why we worship, how we worship, and who we worship. Let’s explore these truths and how they shape the life of our  church.

1. Worship Is All About God

The word “worship” comes from the Old English term “worth-ship,” which means to ascribe the highest worth to someone or something. When we worship God, we’re declaring that He is our ultimate treasure—above every other desire, pursuit, or material possession.

We’re Wired to Worship

As one author put it, everyone worships something. We can worship money, power, influence, success—or we can worship the God who created us. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we were made by God and for God (Colossians 1:16), and our hearts remain restless until they find rest in Him.

Heart Over Head

Of course, learning about God intellectually is good, but true worship goes beyond head knowledge. It stirs our emotions, shapes our will, and leads us to delight in the Lord. When we gather for worship, we’re not just satisfying a religious duty; we’re letting our hearts be thrilled by the goodness, grace, and sovereignty of God.

2. Why Gather? Something Glorious Happens in Community

If God’s presence dwells in His people, then every time the local church gathers, something eternal is unfolding. We see vivid metaphors throughout Scripture that paint a picture of this collective worship:

A Living Temple

In the Old Testament, God’s presence rested in the tabernacle or temple. Yet with the coming of Jesus, the curtain tore, and God’s Spirit now dwells among us—His living temple (Ephesians 2:19–22). This means every gathering of the Roswell Community Church is a sacred meeting place where God actively works in and through His people.

The Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12 likens the church to a human body—many parts, but one united whole. Each member has a unique gift, and every gift is essential for the health of the entire church. When we gather, our interactions, prayers, and service to one another are ways God knits us closer together. No one part is unimportant; we all have a role in building each other up.

The Bride of Christ

Scripture also calls the church the “Bride of Christ,” pointing to an unbreakable covenant. Jesus loves His Bride so deeply that He laid down His life for her (Ephesians 5:25). Week after week, our corporate worship is a foretaste of the eternal wedding feast described in Revelation 19. We’re not just a random collection of people; we’re a beloved Bride, preparing for the day we see our Bridegroom face-to-face.

3. How We Worship Together 

At our local church in Roswell, we incorporate several practices each week. While every congregation may do things differently, the heart remains the same: to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name (1 Chronicles 16:29).

1. Preaching of the Word
   We open Scripture to learn who God is and what He calls us to. Preaching isn’t just information—it’s an invitation to respond with faith and obedience.
2. Communal Prayer & Fellowship
   Hebrews 10:24–25 urges us not to neglect meeting together but to encourage one another. Praying over each other, sharing joys and struggles, and simply being present are tangible ways we experience God’s presence.
3. Communion & Baptism
   • Communion (The Lord’s Supper) reminds us weekly of Christ’s sacrifice—His body broken and His blood shed.
   • Baptism is a public declaration of faith that brings immense joy and encouragement to the entire congregation.
4. Music & Corporate Singing
   Singing engages our hearts, minds, and bodies in praise to God. Whether hymns or contemporary songs, music lifts our spirits and unites us in proclaiming God’s truth.
5. Liturgy & Confession
   Reciting Scripture, confessions, or creeds can anchor our worship in the historic and global church. These shared words shape our minds and hearts over time, reminding us we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.
   
   

4. Moving Beyond “Me-Centric” Worship

It’s easy to slip into a mindset of consumption: “Were the chairs comfortable?” “Was the sermon the right length?” “Is the music my style?” Yet biblical worship calls us to ask different questions:

• Am I drawing near to God with my whole heart?
• How can I serve or encourage someone else today?
• Is my mind fixed on God’s worthiness, or am I distracted by my own preferences?

When we enter worship with these Christ-centered questions, we find that God often exceeds our expectations—filling our hearts in ways no set of perfect circumstances ever could.

5. A Foretaste of Eternity

Each Sunday is a microcosm of eternity—a glimpse of what it will be like when people from every tribe, tongue, and nation gather before the throne of God. When we lift our voices together here in the Roswell community, we participate in a divine mystery: God dwelling among His people, transforming us into the likeness of Christ, and sending us out to share His love with the world.

A Call to the Roswell Community

If you’re part of the Roswell community and searching for a local church, we invite you to worship with us. Whether you come with excitement, questions, or simply a desire to explore faith, know that God’s presence is real and His love is life-changing. Our aim is to be a Roswell church family that treasures Christ above all, builds each other up, and reaches out to our neighbors in genuine service.

Let’s gather each week, not merely as spectators, but as active participants in a story far greater than our own—a story of a God who longs to fill our deepest desires and welcome us into everlasting joy.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” – Psalm 95:6