Our Scripture reading for this Sunday is Romans 12:1-8. 

This Sunday we will commission leaders, teachers, counselors, helpers, and others for the work of the church in this upcoming education season. Please take some time to pray for them today, and throughout the year, as they use their gifts to serve God, the church, and each of us.

To prepare for the sermon, I'm including a quote from a short article written about this passage (especially the first two verses of Romans 12) by Elizabeth Shively.

"Looking at the first two verses [of Romans 12], we might conclude that worship is adequately performed through our corporate liturgy, preaching, and music. These practices are not wrong; but they do not reach far enough. For Paul (and for us), worship is full-bodied. It happens in community as we live out our faith by serving one another to build up the body of Christ. The quality of our worship is not measured by what happens only on Sunday mornings, but by what happens when we are together Monday through Saturday."

Paul urges us to offer our selves as a living sacrifice. This is a 24/7 and 365-day-a-year calling. It's a calling we have not just because it is what God demands, but because of all that God has done for us.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1