Encountering God in Worship

Our worship service is designed to guide you through the movements of the gospel. Rather than just hearing about the good news of Christianity, we participate in the drama of grace each week. We aren't just play-acting. Our covenant God promises to be with us as we gather as the church (Matt. 18:20), just as he always met with his people in the Tabernacle and Temple. Christ, by the Spirit, works through the Word and Sacrament to bless and renew us in grace.

The Pattern of the Gospel

soli_deo_gloriaThe movements of our worship are found in scripture whenever God's people worship him. Churches throughout the ages have recognized this pattern and structured their service accordingly. 

I. Awareness of God's Holiness: God Calls Us

God begins the worship service by calling us to worship. Scripture is filled with moments when God calls his people to come to him in worship.

Call to Worship: Psalm 100
Leader: Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all the earth!
People: Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Leader: Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
People: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Leader: For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

We respond with a prayer of adoration and praise, asking God to be present to bless us. Songs of praise and wonder naturally flow, as we reflect on God's holiness. 

II. Awareness of Our Sin: We Confess Our Sin

We respond to God's self-revelation with confession of sin. God's holiness reveals and underscores our sinfulness. Apart from Christ, our guilt would lead us to denial or despair. In Christ, however, our repentance is filled with hope. Confessing our sins is a matter of telling the truth to God, ourselves, and the world. Christian repentance always ends in thanksgiving because our confession is not the last word. We end each time of confession hearing God's assurance of forgiveness to those who trust in Christ.

III. Renewal in Grace: God Sends His Word and Sacrament

God answers our confession with grace. We turn from our sin to hear God's Word and receive His Sacrament. The Spirit uses these means to point us to the redemption Christ accomplished and to call us to faith in Jesus. We preach expositional sermons, trusting that God's Word always leads us to Christ.

After hearing God's Word, we respond by giving our gifts and proclaiming our faith. The confession of faith is no rote recitation of someone else's faith. It is our declaration to God and the world of what we believe. We confess our faith prior to the Lord's Supper, recognizing that it is our faith alone that makes us worthy receivers of the sacrament. 

We observe the sacraments weekly because we need it weekly. The Lord's Supper represents Christ and his benefits. When we partake of the bread and wine, the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ in heaven and affirms our standing with him. 

IV. Coronating Christ as King: We Crown Christ as King. God Speaks a Benediction. 

Our closing song renews our allegiance to Christ as our king. In singing, we express our commitment to live for him.

God gets the last word. It is a word of blessing to his people. Liturgy Illustration 2

This is the pattern of worship in the Bible:

Worship by Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-13)

  • God’s character recognized (v. 1-4)
  • Human character confessed (v. 5)
  • God’s grace exhibited (v. 6-7)
  • God’s grace assured (v. 7)
  • Response of thankful devotion (v. 8)
  • Instruction for obedience (v. 9-12)
  • Promise of covenant blessing (v. 13)

Worship at Sinai (Deuteronomy 5)

  • God’s character recognized (v. 4, 22-24)
  • Human character confessed (v. 5, 25-27)
  • God’s grace exhibited (v. 2-3, 6)
  • God’s grace assured (v. 2-3
  • Response of thankful devotion (v. 27)
  • Instruction for obedience (v. 6-21, 32-33a)
  • Promise of covenant blessing (v. 33b) 

Worship in the Temple (2 Chronicles 5-7)

  • God’s character recognized (5:1-5)
  • Human character confessed (5:6-10)
  • God’s grace exhibited (5:11-14)
  • God’s grace assured (5:11-14)
  • Response of thankful devotion (6:1-11)
  • Petition (6:12-21)
  • Instruction for obedience (6:22-42)
  • Promise of covenant blessing (7:1-3)
  • Communion (7:4-9) 

Worship in Ephesians

  • God’s character recognized (ch. 1)
  • Human character confessed (2:1-3)
  • God’s grace exhibited (2:4-10)
  • God’s grace assured (2:4-10)
  • Instruction for obedience (2:11-6:18)
  • Promise of covenant blessing (6:23-24) 

Common Liturgical Names for this Pattern

  • God’s character recognized (Prayer of Adoration)
  • Human character confessed (Confession of sin)
  • God’s grace assured (Assurance of Pardon)
  • Response of thankful devotion (Songs or Prayers of Thanksgiving, Eucharist)
  • Instruction for obedience (Sermon)
  • Promise of covenant blessing (Benediction)