We often think of God in Christ as the object of our worship on Sunday morning or any other times we come to church. After all, our trust rests in God who has reconciled us to Himself through the blood of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:9-10)
That God is the subject, the actor in worship sounds odd to our culture today. However, take a look at this quotation from Dr. Marva Dawn’s REACHING OUT WITHOUT DUMBING DOWN, p76. “True worship arises because God calls us. As an echo, our worship directed to God is a gift in response to his1 gifts.”
Here we find the basis, put in today’s language for beginning the divine service “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ” (Lutheran Service Book, DS III, page 184) The Lord draws us the He may serve us His Word and Sacraments publicly for our forgiveness. Then, having been drawn by Him, we call on Him, our Triune God, do what He has already promised to do–grant us His favorr.
His service to us and for us sustains our trust in Him. Therein, “Peace with God once more is made.” (LSB 617 “O Lord, We Praise Thee” stanza 2)
