These Psalms celebrate God’s works—creation, salvation, deliverance, provision, and answered prayer. Gratitude becomes a form of worship that strengthens faith. Examples: Psalms 9, 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 41, 66–67, 75, 92, 103, 105–107, 116, 118, 124, 126, 136, 138 Approximate percentage: 15% of the Psalms

These Psalms declare the personal or corporate story of God’s transforming work. They often use “I” or “we” language and help the congregation remember God’s faithfulness. Examples: Psalms 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 66, 73, 103, 107, 116, 118, many of the Songs of Ascents (120–134) Approximate percentage: 10% of the Psalms

Lament is one of the most common forms of biblical worship. These Psalms give voice to grief, confusion, injustice, and longing. They teach us that bringing our pain to God is an act of faith. Examples: Individual laments: Psalms 3, 5–7, 13, 17, 22, 25–28, 31, 35, 38–39, 42–43, 51, 54–57, 59, 61, 63–64, 69–71, 77, 86, 88, 102, 109, 120, 130, 140–143 Corporate laments: Psalms 12, 44, 60, 74, 79–80, 83, 85, 90, 94 Approximate percentage: 40% of the Psalms (This surprises many people—lament is the largest category in the Psalms.)

These Psalms express dependence and need. They ask God to guide, strengthen, deliver, revive, or intervene. Examples: Psalms 4–5, 17, 20, 27–28, 31, 35, 43, 54–57, 59, 61, 64, 69–71, 80, 86, 102, 109, 119, 120, 123, 130, 140–143 Approximate percentage: 20% of the Psalms (Many petitions overlap with laments.)

These Psalms express surrender, obedience, and devotion. They help us respond to God’s grace with willing hearts. Examples: Psalms 15, 19, 26, 37, 51, 63, 101, 119, 131, 139, 141, 143 Approximate percentage: 10% of the Psalms

These Psalms are joyful, triumphant, and full of praise. They celebrate God’s deliverance, His kingdom, and His victory over enemies. Examples: Psalms 18, 20–21, 27, 47–48, 66, 68, 75, 81, 98, 100, 118, 126, 132, 144, 149–150 Approximate percentage: 15% of the Psalms

These Psalms invite others to trust, praise, repent, or return to God. They often begin with “Come,” “Sing,” or “Give thanks.” Examples: Psalms 34, 66, 95–96, 98, 100, 107, 118, 134, 145 Approximate percentage: 8% of the Psalms

These Psalms emphasize the shared life of God’s people—worshiping together, walking together, and belonging to one another. Examples: Psalms 46, 48, 67–68, 76, 84, 87, 95–96, 100, 122, 133–134, 145–150 Approximate percentage: 10% of the Psalms

These Psalms point to the future—Christ’s return, the new creation, and God’s ultimate victory. Many are messianic, anticipating the reign of God’s King. Examples: Psalms 2, 16, 22, 24, 45, 72, 89, 96–99, 102, 110, 118, 132, 145–150 Approximate percentage: 12% of the Psalms

When we sing on Sunday, we’re joining a worship tradition that stretches back three thousand years. The Psalms teach us that worship is not one-dimensional. It’s not always upbeat, not always quiet, not always personal, not always corporate. Worship is the full range of human experience brought honestly before a faithful God. Understanding these categories helps us: • appreciate the diversity of songs we sing • embrace lament and petition as worship, not weakness • celebrate God’s character and works with deeper conviction • see how modern worship continues the biblical pattern

1. Our Worth Comes from Being Made in God’s Image: Before we ever “do” anything, God declares something true about us. Genesis 1:27 says we are made in the image of God. That means dignity, value, and worth are baked into our very existence; not earned, not achieved, not performed. Work can express that image, but it can never create it. 2. Our Worth Is Rooted in God’s Love, Not Our Accomplishments: Scripture never ties God’s love to productivity. Romans 5:8 says God demonstrated His love for us “while we were still sinners”. Before we cleaned up, before we served, before we produced anything of value; He loved us. If God’s love is the foundation, then our worth is secure even on our worst day. 3. Our Identity Is Given, Not Achieved: The New Testament consistently anchors identity in Christ, not in performance. John 1:12 We are children of God. Ephesians 1:4-5 Chosen, adopted, wanted. 1 Peter 2:9 A royal priesthood, God’s own possession. These aren’t titles we earn; they’re realities we receive. 4. Our Work Matters, But It’s Not the Measure of Our Worth: The Bible affirms hard work. Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 12:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:11. But it never uses work as the metric for identity. Instead, Scripture reframes work as worship. We work “from” acceptance, not “for” acceptance. We work “out of” worth, not “to earn” worth. That shift changes everything. 5. God Values Faithfulness Over Performance: Jesus never praised people for being impressive. He praised them for being faithful. “Well done, good and “faithful” servant” (Matthew 25:21). Not “successful,” not “productive,” not “high‑performing.” Faithfulness is accessible to everyone, in every season, regardless of output. 6. When We Root Worth in Work, We Become Slaves to It: Scripture warns about this subtly: Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 Work without God becomes toil, anxiety, and emptiness. Psalm 127:2 Rising early, staying up late, eating the bread of anxious toil is not God’s design. When work becomes identity, rest becomes impossible. 7. Jesus Invites Us to Rest in Who He Says We Are: Matthew 11:28-30 isn’t just about physical rest; it’s about identity rest. Jesus invites us to lay down the heavy yoke of performance and take up His easy yoke, the one rooted in grace, not achievement.

Our self‑worth doesn’t come from what we produce, how well we perform, or how much we accomplish. It comes from the God who made us, loves us, redeemed us, and calls us His own. Work is a gift, but it is a terrible god. When we anchor our identity in Christ, work becomes a place where we express our worth; not a place where we try to earn it.

When Jesus said, “Pray then in this way” (Matthew 6:9), He wasn’t giving us a script to recite—He was giving us a pattern to follow. Each line teaches us something essential about how to approach God. 1) “Our Father in heaven” — Identity & Relationship - We come to God as children approaching a loving Father, yet with reverence for His authority. 2) “Hallowed be Your name” — Worship - Prayer begins with adoration. We remember who God is before we bring our needs. 3) “Your kingdom come” — Mission We pray for God’s rule and redemptive work to advance in our lives, our church, and our city. 4) “Your will be done” — Submission - We surrender our plans and desires to God’s perfect will. 5) “Give us this day our daily bread” — Dependence - We trust God for provision—spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial. 6) “Forgive us our debts” — Repentance - We confess our sins and walk in humility before God. 7) “As we forgive our debtors” — Reconciliation - We commit to unity, grace, and forgiveness in our relationships. 8) “Lead us not into temptation” — Guidance - We ask God to guide our steps and protect us from sin. 9) “Deliver us from evil” — Spiritual Warfare - We seek God’s protection from the enemy’s schemes and strength to stand firm. Asking God to rebuke the enemy on our behalf, since God is the one that actually has the power to do so.

The Elder Team is praying through the Lord’s Prayer on behalf of our church family. Here’s how we are lifting you up: 1) Identity & Unity - That our church grows in intimacy with the Father. And That our leadership and congregation walk in unity and humility. 2) Worship & Holiness - That God’s name is honored in our teaching, decisions, and conduct. And That holiness marks our lives and ministries. 3) Mission & Outreach - For salvations, baptisms, and discipleship growth. And For boldness in evangelism and compassion in outreach. 4) Discernment & Direction - For wisdom in every ministry decision. And For clarity on what to strengthen, what to start, and what to let go. 5) Provision - For financial supply and faithful stewardship. And For God’s workers of the harvest - our Ministry Team Coordinators and Volunteers. 6) Repentance & Reconciliation - For clean hearts and restored relationships. And For a culture of grace, truth, and forgiveness. 7) Protection - For protection from moral failure, pride, burnout, and division. And For purity in marriages, families, and ministry teams. 8) Spiritual Warfare - For God’s covering over the flock. And For strength against deception, discouragement, and attack.

Prayer is not something reserved for pastors or elders—it is the privilege of every believer. Jesus invites us to come boldly, honestly, and regularly to our Father in heaven. As we pray according to His Word, we grow in intimacy with Him and align our hearts with His purposes. Our elders are praying for you, and we invite you to join us in praying for our church, our community, and the mission God has entrusted to us.