Corporate worship is a great thing.  Of course, we can worship God on our own and with our families - and we should.  But there is something special about the people of God coming together for worship (Hebrews 10:24-25).  Thus, we hope that corporate worship is the highlight of your week.  In an effort to help you get more out of worship, we're posting a short preview of the upcoming worship service each week.  Hopefully you'll find this helpful and encouraging.

When Israel was preparing for a new life in the promised land, God gave them the instruction, "You shall keep the Feast of the Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field" (Exodus 23:16).  Thanksgiving celebrations were an important part of the people's worship before God.  Throughout history, Christians have set aside certain times and days as events of special thanksgiving to God.  That's what we'll be doing this Sunday.

For some of you, it's been a great year, and lots of things come to mind as reasons to thank God.  For others, it has been more difficult.  Perhaps you've seen God's grace in the midst of trial and suffering.  Wherever you're at, we hope our Sunday gathering will encourage you.

Rather than a typical sermon, on Sunday we'll get to hear stories of God's grace from four different people at New City.  

To prepare for worship, read Psalm 100 and thank God for the ways he has blessed you.  Toward the end of the worship service there will be time for you to offer your own prayers of thanksgiving during the "prayers of the people."  We hope that this will be a rich time, thanking God for his grace in our lives (big and small).  

Our music will reflect the theme of thanksgiving as well.  We'll sing some classics like Come Thou Fount and Great is Thy Faithfulness.  We also be singing a less familiar song called "In Feast or Fallow."  You can check out the video below if you want to get familiar with the song before worship.

Everything will culminate in our celebration of the Lord's Supper.  There's no better way to commemorate God's grace than to remember the work of Christ on our behalf.  To prepare for communion, read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.