June 24, 2026
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
This is a season of celebrations. You may not have heard, but the FIFA World Cup of Soccer is going on currently and being hosted by Canada, the US, and Mexico. I know some folks who traveled to Vancouver to take in Canada’s last game (and victory!). And while I’ve only been able to catch highlights of the games to this point, the energy from the fans is always a bit surprising. Such commitment to dressing up in the colours of their favourite team. Such passion in singing and cheering, and even crying at the ups and downs of the games.
Closer to home, this is the week the 90th annual Ponoka Stampede begins. Hundreds of trailers have arrived, the midway is getting set up, and soon the people will pour in. Some people come to see the incredible skill of the riders and animals. Others enjoy the festivities of food and the midway. Still others can’t wait for the concerts and late nights.
As I consider these celebrations, I can’t help but see the worship beneath them. Maybe it’s in the faces filled with ecstasy, or the money and time spent on a weekend. We were created to worship; to find worth, attach ourselves to it, and invite others to join us. But the object of that worship matters.
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! - Ps 95:1-6
We can definitely enjoy God’s good gifts, like soccer and stampedes. But it is always good for us to consider what, or who, has our heart. And we can begin to tell that by what we sing and make noise about, and what we invite others to praise along with us.
In Him,
Pastor Jeremy