Worship with David!

For Sunday, January 18, 2026:

Psalm 122:1 NLT: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’”

Do we have to go to church? No, we WANT to go to church, we GET to go to church, we’re ALLOWED to attend. David said that visiting God’s house made him glad, put a smile on his face! This king David is the same one who kept his sheep safe. He stood up for God when facing Goliath. You could say that David was a fan of the Lord all his life.

David was a worshiper and a worship leader. He authored songs for corporate worship. He led the congregation in singing those songs. They’re timeless, because our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Musicians frequently echo David’s words when composing new songs for us to sing.

Today is Sunday, worship day for Christians. It’s the day Jesus conquered both sin and death. It’s the day he walked away from the tomb. He had left the sins of the world in the place of the dead, and became a living example of eternal life. Jesus’ believers get to share in his forgiveness and resurrection. When it’s our turn to enter the next reality, Jesus will welcome us with open arms!

When we arrive in the life after this life, there won’t be any doubt about attending worship! Look for a lot of smiles. We’ll all be glad!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Sabbath!

October 30, 2023 Monday Message:

Romans 14:5 NLT: “Some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.”

I’m often asked about which day of the week we should worship. Traditional Jewish worship includes parts of two days – from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. This is called Shabbat or Shabbos, which roughly translates to Sabbath. A few Christians worship on Saturday since that’s the majority of Shabbat time. But most Christians gather for worship on Sunday. That’s the day Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death with one act of love. That’s a big part of what we celebrate!

Paul is teaching that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Set a day aside for the Lord and your family. It’s what God said to do. Worshiping should happen regularly and be somewhat repeatable. Don’t work your fingers to the bone. We all need a day of rest – God said so! Take a day to honor the Lord! Worshiping God is a big deal; which day of the week – not so much!

A group of un-churched people was surveyed: ”IF you decided to attend a church, when would that be?” The overwhelming majority picked “Sunday morning.”

Each Sabbath we should look forward to gathering with our family and our church friends to honor God! See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Third Day!

For Sunday, September 10, 2023:

Romans 8:15b NLT: “You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’”

The Holy Family is one we desire, one we want to be a part of. God also desires a relationship with us, his created beings, and his spirit joining with our spirit brings Gods plan to fruition.

This is Sunday, the third day, the day Jesus rose from the tomb. He conquered sin and death with the same glorious event, and we are the beneficiaries! This is the day believers gather to worship the Father, his Son and the Holy Spirit. In most praise settings we can learn more about Jesus today. Never bypass an opportunity to worship the Lord Almighty!

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Christian Club!

 For Saturday, April 22, 2023:

1 John 3:1 NLT: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.”

Having become Christians, it’s as if we joined a special club: “The Society of Children of God!” It’s not a secret society; it’s open to everyone! We meet every Sunday. (In Minnesota, we also seem to meet on Wednesday nights!) We eagerly welcome and accept new members! In fact, we have to recruit new members, because without the Holy Spirit, people living for the world just don’t ‘get it.’

Some translations say, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us.” In other words, step back and appreciate all that God has done for us, calling us his children. Consider it carefully. Be amazed by it. Be thankful for it, and share that Good News with others!

God could have rescued us without adopting us into his family, but in fact he did! God must really love us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sabbath!

For Wednesday, September 7, 2022:

Psalm 122:1 NLT: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

The “House of the Lord” – nowadays we call it ‘church!’ Attending should fill us with joy and make us glad. Church should be something to which we look forward. Our best friends will be at church with us. Worshiping the Lord should be fun, putting a smile upon our faces!

Keeping the Sabbath should never be a burden. It should never be, “I HAVE to go to church.” It should be, “I’m excited to go to church! I can hardly wait until it’s time to go again!”

"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”

  

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Worship!

For Sunday, August 28, 2022:

​Romans 14:5 NLT: “Some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.”

​Jews had always worshiped on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. Following the crucifixion, believers started celebrating on Sunday, the day our Lord rose from the grave. Paul is confirming that the act of worship is far more important that the day on which it occurs.

Today is Sunday, and in the US most Christians worship on Sunday. This morning, I’ll be at church. It’s good to gather with your friends to honor the Creator. It’s good to step back from the chaos of this world and concentrate on the eternal significance of Jesus’ rescue mission.

If you haven’t been to church for a while, today might be a good day to reconnect. And if you’ve never attended, today would be the perfect day to check it out, to learn more about the redeeming grace of Jesus.

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Joyful Worship!

For Thursday, September 16, 2021

Psalm 122:1 NLT: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

David was not a priest, but he was a worship leader, a musician and composer of many songs honoring the Lord. David believed worship should be fun, exciting and interesting, an event we anticipate with great joy! David led dancing in the streets for the Lord! He was not shy about sharing his enthusiasm for God. After all, the Lord was his hope for a life after this life! David was a God-fan!

Nowadays, teaching the greatest story or all time, the story of Jesus, should be exciting, not boring. Attending church shouldn’t just be a burden or required obligation. Sunday should be the best day of the week, something to which we look forward.

The Message quotes David like this: “When they said, ‘Let’s go to the house of God,’ my heart leaped for joy!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Praise Forever!

For Sunday, September 12, 2021

Psalm 44:8 KJV: “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name forever.”

Honoring God shouldn’t be limited to Sunday mornings. God wants to know that we’re on His side 24/7. And WE want to know that God’s on our side 24/4! Mankind needs reassurance that our relationship with God will continue. We need hope!

The psalmist writes of God caring for his ancestors. And they’re praising God now, so they still believe. But he later asks God to wake up, to care for them as he has in the past. Friends, God is not sleeping. God never turns his back on his people. It’s mankind that needs to turn back and face the light. We need to insure that God still has priority in our lives.

May God’s light shine into the world through you, today and everyday!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Psalms 145 - Great is the Lord!

June 11, 2018 Monday Message:

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalms 145:3 NIV

In Psalm 145, David details how each of us should constantly exalt the Lord, how each of us should become a cheerleader for the King. It’s a good way to worship, and I try to bring a piece of this to our church service each Sunday – not just going through the motions, but genuine excitement and enthusiasm.

I believe that Worshiping God is more than an obligation; it should be fun and exciting, something we look forward to each week. The attitude shouldn’t be, “It’s Sunday – I have to go to church.” Rather it should be, “It’s Sunday – I GET to go to church!”

Of course God is great, God is Almighty, God is all-powerful! But don’t forget, “The Lord is (also) gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. (v8)

Because God has been so good to us, we need to share the Good News with everyone! “My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” (v21)

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, June 17, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. I’ll continue our walk through Hebrews 4 & 5 – Christ is our High Priest. It’s a busy Sunday – New Hope Tour day, lunch after church, food give-away – and let’s not forget, it’s Father’s Day! See you at church!