Worship is the belief that God is worth it. A great way to express that God is worth our time is by setting aside time to attend a church worship service. A worship service isn't the only way to show God is worth it. It’s possible to have profound worship experiences that aren’t inside the walls of a church. 

Worship happens when we release ourselves to God. When the way we treat others, or what we say to others reveals that God is worth it, we worship. Any time we notice what God has done and feel like telling God, "Good job!" we worship.

To get past the quest for more to a quest for meaning, you're going to need some help. After you begin to experience that God is "worth it" in worship, the next step is to connect with other people. 

To connect at Ankeny First is to be part of a small group centered on Jesus. He is what we have in common. We are transformed in these relationships as we study the Bible and talk about our faith, seeking to understand Jesus better and follow him more closely. Our differences become opportunities to stretch our understanding of God and the world. What we have in common becomes a foundation of trust. These are the connections that clarify the meaning our lives have.

Connecting with one another opens room for the power of the Holy Spirit. That power is released through the gifts, natural abilities, and good and bad experiences each of us has had. We all have something of value to offer, and nothing short of the transformation of the world is at stake. Meaningful work is important to having a meaningful life; contributing what you have to the transformation of the world is as meaningful as it gets.

There is more going on when we serve, though. When we respond in service, we find ourselves back at worship, discovering the love of God from the other side as we express love to others with no expectation of repayment. To respond is its own reward; it elevates our ability to praise the worthiness of God.