What comes to your mind when you think of worship? Two boring hours at church once a week? Hoping you get something out of it that makes you feel good? The following illustration may open the door to a whole new way of thinking about worship.

Boarding the ship the SS Dorchester on a dreary winter day in 1943 were 903 troops and four chaplains, including Moody alumnus Lt. George Fox. World War II was in full swing, and the ship was headed across the icy North Atlantic where German U-boats lurked.  At 12:00 on the morning of February 3, a German torpedo ripped into the ship. “She’s going down!” the men cried, scrambling for lifeboats.

A young GI crept up to one of the chaplains. “I’ve lost my life jacket,” he said. “Take this,” the chaplain said, handing the soldier his own life jacket. Before the ship sank, each chaplain gave his own life jacket to another man. The heroic chaplains then linked arms and lifted their voices in prayer as the SS Dorchester sank into the icy waters.

What an illustration of sacrifice! As we continue our message series on worship, I’d like you to think about what a sacrifice like that has to do with real worship. Is it related in any way? Does it involve me personally in any way? I think you might be surprise by what we’re going to find in God’s Word this week.Above all, I hope we’re all changed by what we learn.

Welcome to Richardson! 
Appreciating Christ’s sacrifice for us,
Pastor Byron

Please click HERE for Pastor Byron’s sermon notes for this Sabbath.