TOGETHER, We Did It!

Monday’s Musings by Katie Harding

We had a great celebration this past Saturday at our NorthStar Church Network Annual Business and Breakfast Meeting. Katie is the director of our Women’s Network, which falls under the Church Network, and she also serves as the Associate Director of the Church Network. Here’s an excerpt from her report so you can share in the exciting work of NorthStar!

If you haven’t already realized it from everything you’ve seen today, NorthStar is making a difference in people’s lives! And when I say NorthStar, I mean “You All,” because you are THE NETWORK. You are NORTHSTAR.

I recently read this quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Worship needs to stand at the very center of our life together.” When I think of worship, what comes to mind are the songs we sing on Sunday, because that’s what we usually call worship, but as I’ve reflected on this quote, I’ve realized there’s really so much more to worship.

Worship is about loving God AND loving those whom God loves.

In fact, I learned years ago that there is a difference between the services of worship and the worship service. We come into church for services of worship, but we go out of church for worship service. We gather for worship by singing, but we go out for worship by serving. Worship service is not what happens when we gather; our worship service is what happens when we go.

And why do I tell you all this? Because when I read the quote, “Worship needs to stand at the very center of our life together,” I realized this is why we have a Network. Not so we can work together for God, but so we can worship in serving God TOGETHER.

So, we can love God AND those whom God loves TOGETHER.

So, we can reach more people with the mercy, compassion, and care of Christ TOGETHER.

So, we can spur others on to be who God created them to be TOGETHER.

So, we can inspire others in greater faithfulness to God TOGTHER.

For us in our Network, this is how worship remains at the very center of our life TOGETHER.

And TOGETHER we have worshipped God and participated in worship service in the most amazing ways this year.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped 500 women from Northern Virginia draw closer to Christ through our Women’s Conference at Columbia Church.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped Ukrainian refugees find safety and solace in the arms of God’s people through New Life Russian Church.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped pastors from The Church at Clarendon and South Run Baptist Church and the children’s minister at Old Town Community Church take sabbaticals of rest, renewal, and refreshment this year.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped provide 22 sessions of counseling for pastors and staff members and their families in Network Churches.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped young children grow in their love for church and young adult interns grow in their leadership at church through Upperville Baptist and Hope Hill Community Church.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped create spaces for communities to explore their faith, grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ, and partner in mission through the installation of a video wall at South Ridge Church and a Coffee Shop at Columbia Church.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped to feed children through the Rise Against Hunger mobile pack at Parkwood Baptist earlier this month, and we helped to address food insecurity at a local elementary school through Fairfax Baptist.

TOGETHER, we did it! – We helped disciple young adults in spiritual growth, prayer, and transformative leadership through Grace Capital City Church, The District Church, and Shining Star Community Church.

TOGETHER, we did it!

All of these are real examples of ways we — as in all of us in all of our churches —come TOGETHER as a Network to worship God through service. TOGETHER we have helped churches share Jesus with their neighborhoods, communities, and congregations through the 23 Church Legacy Grants, Mini Grants, and Community Outreach Grants, given this year, totaling more than $80K.

TOGETHER, we did it!
Because TOGETHER, we can!
Because TOGETHER, we worship!

Worship stands at the very center of our life TOGETHER. Thank you, NorthStar!