Featured Photo: The Church of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine July 5, 2026.
NOTE: The photos shown in this report (and all other communications) are NOT to be forwarded or published in any way! The environment and censorship requirements mandate that I make this point.
A Powerful Command
Consider Inspiration’s powerful note regarding the guiding principles of worship in 1 Chronicles 16:29, “Ascribe to the Lord God, the Almighty Jehovah, the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”
“Ascribe” is a common verb of action, and when used in worship reflects a deep reverence and obligations to the Lord God Almighty. “To the Lord.” This draws the focus to a restricted scope—worship is to the Lord God Almighty! Regardless of today’s blasphemous “worship leaders,” worship is NOT for the participants’ enjoyment, delivering what they “like.” “Worship” is to demonstrate the “glory due” the Almighty. Mankind is indebted to worship “in the splendor of holiness.” (Spend some study time on this phrase!)
A Powerful Practice
Each Lord’s Day, God’s Church assembles, and in corporate worship the patterns of the New Testament Scriptures are practiced. These commands of God are expected to be honored with a holy attitude. Such an attitude is governed by the principles summarized in 1 Chronicles 16:29 (although these principles are found throughout Scripture), thus emphasizing the unforgiving expectation of sincere obedience to the Almighty’s commands.
A Powerful Presence
God expects members to be present in the corporate worshipping assemblies. This is clearly stated in Hebrews 10:24-25. The urgency of members’ presence is because of the edification that the Body receives. The worship not only honors God, but it offers brethren the critical support that maintains faithfulness.
The Church of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, met today, and it was everything the Lord designed corporate worship to be! Visiting with us were Mark & Becky (from the Madison, AL Church of Christ) and Darrin (from the West Huntsville, AL Church of Christ). Mark preached an excellent lesson on “freedom.” After worship, we went next door to a restaurant where the Church ate together.
The Lord’s Day, July 5, 2026, in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, was a wonderful day when we joined together to fulfill the Divine’s pattern of worship and adhere to the biblical principles of worship revealed throughout the Bible.
As the assembly closed, I believe all in attendance could join with the Psalmist and declare, “My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day” (Psalm 71:8).
Approved photos are below—reread the note at the beginning of this report.
Again, I ask you to remember my trip in prayer with the Apostle’s request in Ephesians 6:19, “(O)n my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
