The Shape of Our Worship: The Basics
Prelude: Instrumental to cue our people that we are starting the service.
Welcome (Romans 15:5-7)
Call to Worship (Psalm 95:1-7; Hebrews 12:28-29): A passage is read to serve to orient our hearts and minds to worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Historic Confession: Depending on the sermon series, we will participate in reading a historic confession or prayer together to connect with the historic church.
Prayer of Invocation (Psalm 105:1-6): In this prayer, we thank the Lord for His presence in our midst.
Song of Preparation and Praise (Psalm 100:1-5): This song serves to lift our hearts and minds to God.
Confession of Sin (1 John 1:9): During this time, we confess as a congregation that we are sinful in comparison to a holy God and in eternal need of a Savior.
Assurance of Pardon (1 John 1:9): These words serve as the healing, encouraging reminder of our union with Christ through faith alone by grace alone. This could come from Scripture, a confession, a prayer, or other writing but always founds the assurance of pardon on Christ alone.
Song of Comfort (Psalm 32:1-11): This song serves to remind us of the person and work of Christ to purchase our forgiveness and restore us to our Abba Father.
Pastoral Prayer (John 17:1-26): In this prayer, we pray for those we support through Faith Promise, a local church, a ministry from our church, and the worship service.
Sermon (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-13): During this time, we exegete the Word of God for encouragement, edification, maturation, conviction, and healing as the Spirit leads.
Song of Response in Praise (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16): These songs grant us a time of praise and response to the Biblical truths that were preached.
Benediction (Numbers 6:22-27): This is the priestly blessing that serves to empower and encourage our people as they depart to their various missions and callings to apply the Word prayed, read, sung, and preached in the service.
Offering of Tithes and Gifts (2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15): We recognize God as the Abundant Provider, and we give cheerfully to the work of the Church to use to glorify God and love our neighbors near and far. Giving boxes are located on the Welcome table in the lobby and the Bulletin table in the sanctuary.
The Shape of Our Worship: The Story:
Each element serves to highlight more specifically a member of the Trinity as well as a part of the Redemptive Story. This is accomplished through call and response as we participate in worship for God’s glory.
