When God’s people gather, there is a unique joy and power in lifting up praise together. Coming home to worship is not just about a physical place, but about returning to the presence of God with a grateful heart, rejoicing in His goodness and faithfulness. As we join our voices and hearts, we magnify the Lord and experience the blessing of community, knowing that He is the one who woke us up and brought us together. [01:01]
Psalm 100:1-5 (ESV)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Reflection: When you gather with others to worship, how does your heart respond differently than when you worship alone? What can you do this week to intentionally rejoice in God’s presence with others?
None of us arrive at our current place in life or faith by ourselves; we are supported by the sacrifices, prayers, and faithfulness of those who came before us. Honoring our ancestors and spiritual forebears reminds us to walk in humility and gratitude, recognizing that we are part of a much larger story. Their legacy calls us to continue building and blessing others as we have been blessed. [03:34]
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Reflection: Who are the people—family, mentors, or church members—whose faith and sacrifices have helped you stand where you are today? How can you honor their legacy in your actions this week?
There is transformative power in praising God and calling on the name of Jesus. When we lift up His name, things change—hearts are healed, doors are opened, and burdens are lifted. Praise is not just a response to what God has done, but a declaration of faith in who He is: our healer, deliverer, and way maker. [01:53:12]
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reflection: What situation in your life right now needs the power of Jesus’ name spoken over it? Take a moment today to praise God and call on Jesus’ name in that area.
Giving is not just a financial transaction, but a spiritual act of worship and covenant. When we give with gratitude, we acknowledge God as the source of all blessings and participate in His work. Lifting our gifts to God is a sign of our commitment and trust, inviting His blessing over both the gift and the giver. [02:07:29]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV)
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Reflection: What does it mean for you to give as an act of worship? Is there an area where God is inviting you to trust Him more deeply through your giving?
No matter where we have been, we can always come home to God’s house—a place of welcome, worship, and blessing. God’s presence is our true home, and as we gather, we are called not just to be entertained but to be transformed and to bless others. Leaving God’s house, we carry His peace and presence with us, ready to share His love in the world. [03:40:13]
Psalm 122:1 (ESV)
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Reflection: How can you make your home, workplace, or community a place where God’s presence is felt and others are blessed this week?
Today is a day of joyful reunion and heartfelt praise as we gather for Homecoming 2025 at Greater Centennial. We come together not just to enjoy music and fellowship, but to glorify the One who woke us up this morning and has carried us through every season. This homecoming is a celebration of legacy—of the ancestors and saints whose faith and sacrifice have paved the way for us. We honor those on whose shoulders we stand, remembering that none of us arrived here alone. Their prayers, their songs, and their steadfastness are the foundation upon which we build.
Tonight, our choirs, musicians, and dancers lead us in worship, reminding us that praise is not a passive act but a living, breathing response to God’s goodness. Each note sung and every dance offered is a testimony to the faithfulness of God, who has been our healer, deliverer, and way maker. We are invited to participate fully, to lift our voices and hands, and to let gratitude overflow for all the doors God has opened in our lives.
We also take time to remember and honor those who have gone before us, like Sister Reberg, whose presence is still felt in the music and spirit of this place. Our history is rich, and tonight we recognize the contributions of the Harlem Hell Fighters and others who have shaped our community and church. Giving is another act of worship, a way to express our trust in God’s provision and to invest in the ongoing work of ministry.
As we prepare to leave, we are reminded that homecoming is not just about returning to a physical place, but about returning to the heart of worship and the presence of God. We leave not merely entertained, but blessed—renewed by the Spirit and reminded that we can always come home to God’s house. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds as we go forth, carrying the legacy of faith into the world.
Psalm 100:4-5 (ESV) — > Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
2. Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
> Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
3. Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
> And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A few years ago, Sister Nicole Pfeiffer had an idea that we needed to put some music together for recording. And we figured that we needed to do it and honor those on whose shoulders we stand on. [00:03:14] (19 seconds) #MusicHonorsAncestors
If he's been your healer, I dare you to just put your hands together and thank him for healing. If he's been your deliverer, your way maker, has he opened any doors for you? We thank God for that name. [01:54:05] (16 seconds) #ThankfulForHealing
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