"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others"  (Philippians 2:4).
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ,
 

What do you want?  Isn't that the question we are supposed to ask? Isn't that why there is a survey for just about everything? We find out what you want and give it to you.  Isn't that the way it works?  We wet our fingers, stick them in the air, and find out which way the wind is blowing so that we can find our own personal success. Ironically, this way of doing things has more to do with self-interest than with the interests of others. For example, the pastor defines a "good" sermon as one that results in feedback that makes him feel good. However, that type of feedback isn't given when sermons, as they need to do at times, make you uncomfortable. Sermons that deal with the need for money, faithful attendance at the Divine Service, or the expectation that you actually do good works are not all that popular. And yet, regular church attendance, using your abilities for works of service, and giving your money to the work of the church are real ways of looking after the interests of others. It is what we learn from Scripture that our Lord wants us to do.  Others are negatively affected when you are not in church, when you fail to get involved, and when you use your money only for yourself.
 
You also have your own personal interests with regard to the church service. For example, you want the hymns that you enjoy (but not every verse), and you want the service to end in one hour. Now, while there is certainly merit to your personal interests in this regard, there are other things and other people to think about. The easy thing to do is to get mad when your personal expectations are not met and then miss the gifts our Lord brings to you that day. The better thing to do is to focus on what our Lord is teaching you on that particular day through His word, even if the music does not suit your particular tastes, or the service your time frame. It is actually good when we are challenged to look at things from another perspective, especially when it is God's perspective. Ultimately, the hymns, liturgy, and everything we do is not about us but our Lord and His word that puts His forgiveness, life, and peace into our