As you know, one of the most magnificent artistic masterworks of all time is that memorable painting by Michelangelo on the vaulted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. A central element of this art is the portrayal of a hand reaching down. It is the hand of God. Another hand is reaching up. It is a human hand. The two hands are straining toward each other, and they are almost touching.

In worship we are reaching for the reaching hand of God. This is what worship is - our reach for the reaching hand. In Christ the heavenly Father is reaching to us; by our faith in Christ, we are reaching to him. And worship is the most perfect expression of this reach.

Here in worship we look up to God. May we see him not as a potentate who sits on a distant throne, his hands folded in his lap. A better picture would be that of a loving Father leaning hard over the parapet of heaven, his hand stretched forth, beckoning us to come. Worship time is tiptoe time - when we stand as tall as we can and reach as far as possible. Today, as we worship here, it is our prayer that each of us may be in touch with God.