"In many ways worship, properly achieved, is the rest of life. That is, at its best, worship is to encompass thinking, acting, believing, and doing. and "the rest of life" whether in marketplace or school setting, legislatures or [backyards], is to be worship."
What, however, are folks to do out there in the world of MTV and Fox News, and your boss and strangers?
"They are to 'be' the church, 'doing what the situation demands' as the good Samaritan did. They are to inspire a neighbors' comment, "See how they love one another." They are to forgive as they have been forgiven, to be stewards of their possessions on Tuesday and not just some November Sunday. They are to lead transformed lives, exemplifying what early churches did,.....serving God and others 'with glad and generous hearts.' They are to seek to change the world, and will do so, whether or not they had planned to or whether or not they interpret their ordinary lives as extraordinarily destined for the kingdom."
Gathering for worship - to hear God's Word, to receive Jesus in bread and wine - helps us to live worship the rest of our week. You say 'It's not easy'. I know. That's why we gather for worship - to re-center and be strengthened for the work God has called us to do.
A shout out to Martin Marty for his reflection on this question in his book Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers p.108-09 quoted here.
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