Ordering Our Worship

July 31, 2007

All who agree with the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s answer to the question, “What is the chief end of man?” would agree that worship is both serious and joyful business. Our chief end is indeed to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

In light of this Chris, our pastoral assistant at Calvin PCA, has drafted a guide to help us worship with both joy and reverence. The guide is given below.

Worship Guide for Calvin Presbyterian Church

Prelude: Use the time before worship begins for silent prayer, meditation, reading the printed reflections, and examining the liturgy. Prepare your heart and mind for worship (1 Peter 1:13).

Please note that our worship moves in three parts (God calls…, God offers…, and God sends…). In each move, God initiates and we respond. In addition to the pastor, a ruling elder assists in leading morning worship.

GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP

The first move in our worship is that God calls us to worship Him (Ps 67). We respond by acknowledging His glory and majesty through prayer and singing. We also recognize our sinfulness, causing us to confess our sin and acknowledge our need of forgiveness. Once assured of forgiveness, we sing a song of renewal and confess our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Call to Worship: A portion of Scripture is read to call God’s people to attention and to worship the One, living and true God (Deut 31:12).

Prayer of Invocation: The pastor calls on the Triune God to be present among His people as we worship Him (Ps 141:1-2).

Hymn: This opening hymn, usually from the Trinity Hymnal, is a hymn of adoration, praise and thanksgiving to the God we worship (Ps 100:2).

Confession of Sin: Seeing a holy and righteous God, we immediately recognize our sinfulness. To worship properly, we confess our sin in two parts: silent, meditative, and personal confession and corporate confession. The corporate confession is read aloud in unison (1 John 1:9).

Assurance of Pardon: For those who have truly and sincerely confessed their sin and repented, God has forgiven. We are assured of God’s grace and forgiveness (Heb 4:16).

Song of Renewal: Having been assured of pardon and forgiveness of sin, we rejoice in song for the Lord’s grace. These praise songs are printed in the bulletin.

Confession of Faith: We are a confessional church (Rom 10:9). The assurance of pardon allows us to profess and affirm belief in our Lord and Savior. Our confessions of faith are taken from the early ecumenical creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, Council of Chalcedon, Athanasian) or the Reformation confessions and catechisms (e.g., the Westminster Confession).

Songs of Praise: We not only confess our faith but also sing our faith. Thus, we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to give praise, glory, and honor to our God (Rev 4:8, 11).

GOD OFFERS HIS MEANS OF GRACE

The outward means of grace which Christ uses to communicate the benefits of redemption are His ordinances of His Word read and preached, His sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Table, and prayer. During this move of worship, these means of grace are on display. All of these are effectual to the elect for salvation.

Old Testament Reading: Paul commanded Timothy to not neglect the public reading of Scripture. As Reformed Christians, we believe that this is a means of grace to build us up in the most holy faith. The Old Testament portion often serves as a compliment to the New Testament portion to be preached. The OT portion may be prophetic or typological.

Offering/Prayer: In response to hearing God’s Word, we give to Him tithes and offerings for the work of God’s Kingdom (Gen 14:20; 1 Cor 16:2).

Doxology: We acknowledge God as the Giver of all material wealth and sing praise in accordance.

Choir Anthem: This is a hymn, song, or spiritual song of praise and adoration sung by the choir.

Pastoral Prayer: Paul also commands Timothy to have men pray publicly (1 Tim 2:1-3). This is also a means of grace (WSC 98). This prayer is a focused prayer of supplication mainly for the needs of the congregation.

New Testament Reading: This public reading of Scripture is the text for preaching the sermon (2 Tim 3:16-17). We should give attention to it, receive it with faith, and practice it in our lives (WSC 90).

Sermon: The pastor or other qualified minister explains the text and its application to the congregation (1 Cor 1:18).

Psalm of Praise: In response to hearing God’s Word proclaimed, we stand and sing a Psalm of adoration.

The Lord’s Table: As a sacrament, this is a sensible sign that shows Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant (WSC 92). Particularly, we receive bread and wine by faith to partake of Christ’s body and blood and show forth His death until His return (WSC 96).

GOD SENDS US OUT

Having assembled and worshiped, God now sends us out with His blessing and assurance to be with us as we make disciples of all nations.

Hymn: We sing a hymn, usually from the Trinity Hymnal as an appropriate response to the preaching and demonstration of God’s Word.

Benediction: Through the minister, the congregation is blessed by God (Num 6:22-24).

Announcements: After morning worship officially ends, we sit and hear announcements relevant to our congregation. This enables all of us to participate in the life and community of this church fellowship. It is at this time that the red “Friendship Registers” are passed. Please note your name and other pertinent information and circle any items which interest you.

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Church and Culture, Theology 

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