Corporate Worship
Welcome to our church and to one of the most vital things we do: worship the Living God. Below are a few pointers to assist you in joining fully into our worship.
We believe that corporate worship forms us into daily worshipers, and since the gospel is what sanctifies us, we have shaped our service to reflect the flow of the gospel. We begin with God’s call for us to worship him (Revelation), followed by Adoration and Praise. We then Confess our sins to him and receive Assurance of Pardon in Christ. We thank him for our salvation, we hear his Word Proclaimed, and we respond with Dedication. The climax of our services is expressed in communion with God at the Lord’s Table, followed by Supplication. We conclude our service by being Commissioned to go into the world with God’s blessing.
Our corporate worship is also a dialogue in which God speaks to us (through his Word), and then we speak back to him (through prayer and song). Finally, worship is “the people’s work” (liturgy), that is, the structure of worship allows for regular, active participation of the congregation rather than a divide between “performers” and “spectators.”
We seek to saturate our worship with as much of God’s Word as possible. Every service of worship will feature many portions of God’s Word because it is the bread of life. We select psalms or hymns that support the gospel-shaped service and reinforce the message of the later sermon. We use hymns that are time-tested, focused on God, and reverent. The sermon is an explanation and application of a portion of Scripture. Our pastors frequently preach through books of the Bible, trusting God’s Spirit to apply his Word to our hearts.
In essence, we seek to worship God as modeled in Scripture, not according to human imagination, custom, creativity, or glamour. This ancient and reverent worship form depends on God’s ordinary methods as effective means by which God conveys grace, strength, truth, love, and eternal life. We extend our hands to invite you to join us. Please return often to meet with the Living God!
To Parents
Relax! Children are an important part of God’s family, and we are happy to have you and your family worship with us today. Here are some tips to make the service a blessing for you and your child.
One of the best things you can do to prepare is to teach your children at home. Each week we email the orders of service to the church. Use these to prepare your children at home for what to expect in the service.
During the service, quietly explain the parts of the service and actions of the pastors, musicians, and other leaders. Sing the hymns, pray, and voice the responses. Children learn by imitating your participation.
If you have an active child, you may need to take your child out of the service part way through. Keep stretching him until he can sit through the whole service. If you have to leave the service with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.”
To All Members and Visitors
Children are God’s gift to our church. They remind us that he is growing his body while raising up the next generation of his people.
Remember, the way we welcome children here directly affects the way they respond to the church, to God, and to one another. Let them know they are valued members of our church family, and share a word of encouragement with the parents in our congregation who are striving to spiritually nurture their children.
Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 31:12)