” Why is it that if a cinema comedy produces laughter, the film is regarded as successful; if they theatre tragedy brings tears to the audience of the production is regarded as touching; even a football match thrills the spectators, the game is reviewed as exciting; but if of the congregation are moved by the glory of God in worship, the audience are accused of emotionalism? ”
Questions of Life – Nicky Gumble p158

“The divine priority is to worship first, service second . . . One grave temptation we all face is to run around answering calls for service without ministering to the Lord himself.” So writes Richard Foster
Richard Forster

Worship is about responding to God. We celebrate His goodness, we bow beneath His greatness, we thank Him for His kindness and embrace Him in His nearness . . . and much more besides . . .
There is a time to praise the Lord enthusiastically and a time to simply be still, whether we dance, shout or bow, the focus is Jesus.
As we offer up our songs, we often begin to experience a seep sense of His presence. It is a time of intimacy where we can meet with God. Worship gives us the chance to give God the thankfullness in our hearts and the praise He deserves, “yet we can never out-give the Giver”.
Worship is about the whole of our lives. It’s the things we do, the things we say, the way we treat people and our attitude to life. Music, however, is a powerful and indeed biblical, expression of this.
Lakeside 1997 Program

Why is it that if you go to a football match and shout, clap and jump up and down you are a fan, but as a follower of Jesus you clap, shout and jump up and down you are a fanatic?!
Soul Survivor Magazine, Aug 97, p28, J John

In many ways we have just scratched the surface of worship expression. We have yet to touch a dynamic in creativity that changes the church and draws a lost world into the power of intimacy that worship reflects.
Soul Survivor Magazine Aug 97, p9, Divid Ruis

God gave us five senses, it is sheer ingratitude to worship Him with any less.
Luther

What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever
Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647)

“Christian Worship is the most momentous, the most urgent, the most glorious action that can take place in human life”
Karl Barth cited in Forrester – Encounter With God, p15

Worship, in all its grades and kinds, is the response of the creature to the Creator.

Evelyn Underhill – STETS Module 308

“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination with the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.
William Temple STETS Module 308