Liturgy:
The "Form" of Our Sunday Worship Service
While many have tried to malign the word Liturgy, some facts and common sense will clear up the mud slung from ignorance! Liturgy does not have to become rigid and fixed; especially with the incredible amount of Scriptural resources that God has given to us to glorify Him in worship! Liturgy simply means "form" or "pattern."
Go to a church that claims it has no liturgy and surprisingly they will have a bulletin or even without one, the pastor will still "direct" the worship in some pattern he has in his head— there is always a "way its done." God has directed us by precept and example how we are to worship and simply coordinating those prescribed elements in a logical order is helpful in making the worship unified and flow well. Shooting from the hip didn't work well in the old west either! 😁
We use projection media to display parts of the liturgy (denoted with *) on the wall left and right behind the pulpit. We also enjoy using the Trinity Hymnal for hymns, especially for those who like singing parts.
Below are two links that you can either open our Liturgy Brochure using the left image; or download and save it to your computer using the right image. The Worship Outline is also displayed for you below those links with Scriptures.
PRELUDE
We gather our thoughts, feelings and will in anticipation of being together in the presence of God. (cf. Psalm 2:11; 5:7; 94:19; Heb. 12:1-2, 18-29)
CALL TO WORSHIP
Our choir invites us to enter the presence of the Living God. (cf. Psalm 96:2; Ps. 132:7; 1Chr. 16:29; 2Chron. 30:8; Isa. 55:1)
GATHERING SONG*
The congregation responds with a song expressing our joyful desire to worship God together. (cf. Psalm 66:1; 81:1; 95:1-3; 100; 132:7)
INVOCATION AND LORD'S PRAYER
The pastor (our “teaching elder” cf. 1Tim. 5:17) asks God to help us in our worship, calling our attention to God’s greatness, justice, mercy and love. We pray together using the words Jesus instructed us to use. (cf. Mat. 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4)
HYMN OF PRAISE*
We use both traditional Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. (cf. Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16)
RESPONSIVE READING OF GOD'S WORD*
We speak together of God and his ways using a Psalm. (Biblical examples of responsive reading can be found in Ps. 20 and 121. The early church continued this ancient practice of unifiying their voices in the declaration of God's Word!)
CALL TO HOLY LIVING & PRAYER OF CONFESSION
In God’s presence we consider our ways and, as necessary, confess our sins in private prayer to God. (cf. 1Pet. 1:13-15, 3:8-18; 1Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:17-5:7; Ps. 119:9)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Pastor directs us to various Bible passages that proclaim God’s forgiveness though Jesus Christ. (cf. 1Joh. 1:9; Eph. 2:4-6; Col. 2:13; 1Joh. 2:12)
SONGS OF PRAISE*
Freshly reminded of our perfection and forgiveness in Christ, we praise God by singing together with contemporary songs. (cf. Exo. 15:2; Ps. 22:23-26, 150:2-5; Rom. 15:11; Rev. 19:5)
OUR CONFESSION OF FAITH
Filled with joy we profess our faith using Scripture or a confessional statement such as the Apostle’s Creed. (cf. 1Ki. 8:35; 2Chr. 6:26; Mat. 10:32; Rom. 10:9; Phi. 2:11)
OUR WORSHIP IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We express our commitment to Christ and His Church by giving a portion of our income to Him for use in the work of His Church. (cf. 1Chr. 16:29; Mal. 3:8-10; 2Cor. 9:6-7; Prov. 3:9-10, 11:24; Mar. 12:41-44; Luk. 6:38; Acts 20:35; Gen. 14:20; Rom. 13:7; Hag. 2:8; 1Tim. 5:17-18)
DOXOLOGY*
We praise God in song for his goodness to us in Christ. (cf. Eph. 3:20-21; 1Chr. 29:10-13; Rom. 11:33-36, 16:25-27; Mat. 21:9; 1Tim. 1:17; Heb. 13:20-21; 2Pet. 3:18; Rev. 5:12-13)
CHILDREN'S MOMENT
Pastor invites children forward to hear about the grace of God in God’s Word. (cf. Deut. 31:12; Psalm 34:11; Joel 2:16; Matt. 10:13-14)
ANTHEM
Our Choir leads us in an expression of praise and worship. (cf. There are 55 Psalms that start with "For the Choir Director...")
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PASTORAL PRAYER
Pastor leads us in prayer for the general ministry of our congregation, the needs of our people, and our witness to the gospel in our neighborhoods. (cf. Acts 1:14, 2:42; 2Chr. 7:14; Isa. 56:7; Phil. 4:6)
MINISTRY OF THE PREACHED WORD AND SACRAMENT*
Pastor presents a word of exhortation, comfort, and instruction from the Bible. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is observed the first Sunday of each month. Baptisms are performed as new births or adult conversions present this blessed opportunity. (cf. 2Tim. 2:15, 4:13; 2Tim. 4:1-5; Rom. 10:14; 1Cor. 1:16-18, 23; Mat. 4:17; Joh. 5:39; Mar. 2:2; Jer. 7:2; 1Cor. 11:17-34, 12:13; Rev. 19:9; Mat. 28:19; Gal. 3:27; 1Pet. 3:21, Col. 2:12; Eph. 4:5; Rom. 6:4)
HYMN OF PRAISE*
We respond to the preached word in a hymn chosen for its expression of the themes of the sermon. (cf. Ps. 22:22-23, 30:4, 12, 33:1; Jdg. 5:3)
BENEDICTION
Pastor pronounces God's blessing on us, exhorting us to live for Christ in love and righteousness. (cf. Rom. 15:5-6, 16:20-22; 1Cor. 16:23; 2Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:16-18; Eph. 6:23-24; Heb. 13:20-21)
PARTING SONG
Using various songs precious to the congregation’s worship we close our service with a glad expression of our love and fellowship in Christ. (cf. Ps. 90:14; Rom. 1:12; 1Thes. 5:11, 14; Heb. 3:13, 10:24-25)