When we understand what God has done for us in the gospel, we want to worship him! Worship at Grace is about doing the things which God promises will build up our faith: giving God praise, seeking God in prayer, reading the Scriptures, hearing the gospel preached, and receiving the sacraments.
The gospel delivers us from both impersonal religion (traditionalism) and shallow emotionalism so we can worship God with both reverence and joy. We are less concerned about finding the perfect “worship style” than with being biblical, heartfelt, and pleasing to the Lord.
To help you worship with us, here is an example of our Sunday worship. The movement of the service reflects the movement of the gospel: God’s greatness, our guilt, God’s grace, and our gratitude. The back and forth nature reflects a “holy conversation” with God in which he speaks and we listen and respond.
show more show less “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.”
- God’s Word of Greeting (Salutation)
- God’s Call to Worship
- Our Song of Approach
- Our Prayer of Approach
Salutation and Call to Worship – Because we are sinners who cannot approach God on our own, God must welcome and call us into his presence. The pastor greets the congregation with grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Then he reads an appropriate passage reminding us that worship is not only for God but initiated by God.
Our Song of Approach – The response to God’s call to worship is to adore and praise him. As we approach God in worship, we sing a song which exalts his holy character, his love and grace, and his mighty act of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Our Prayer of Approach – As we continue to approach God in worship, we acknowledge him as our creator and redeemer and ask him for grace to worship Him acceptably from the heart.
show more show less “We have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus…”
- Our Confession of Sin
- God’s Assurance of Pardon and Renewal in Christ
- Our Song of Assurance
- Our Offering
Our Confession of Sin – We all sin daily, in thought and word and deed. As we come into God’s presence, we need to acknowledge how we have rebelled against our King and seek his forgiveness. The pastor will read a scripture that demonstrates God’s holiness and our need of salvation. We then confess our sins privately and in unison.
God’s Assurance – Having confessed our sins, what we need most is to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ! The minister speaks a word of grace and mercy to the people, promising forgiveness and eternal life to anyone who believes and trusts in Jesus Christ.
Our Song of Assurance – In light of God’s amazing grace, we continue to rejoice and give thanks to the Lord as his pardoned, forgiven people.
Our Offering – In grateful response to God’s salvation, we give back a portion of what he has graciously given to us. Our giving is our confession that the Lord owns all that we possess, and He has set us as stewards over His possessions.
show more show less “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”
- God’s Word Read
- God’s Word Proclaimed
- Our Prayer of Dedication, Thanksgiving and Intercession
- Our Song of Response
Scripture Reading and Sermon – God addresses and speaks to the congregation by the reading and preaching of his Word. Both saints and sinners need to hear the good news of salvation and grow in it. Our preaching is solidly rooted in the Bible, centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and oriented toward God’s heavenly kingdom.
Congregational Prayer – It is our privilege to pray to our heavenly Father as his children. In our time of intercession we pray for our leaders, the unity of the church throughout the world and the mission of the gospel, the welfare and needs of our members, and other matters. The pastor or one of the elders leads us in this prayer, speaking to God on our behalf, but it is our prayer as well for we are praying along with him.
Our Song of Response – We continue to praise God for his grace in teaching, leading and growing us.
show more show less “The Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”
- The Lord’s Supper
- Our Song of Dedication
- God’s Word of Blessing (Benediction)
- Our Dismissal
The Lord’s Supper – The Lord’s Supper is served weekly, as a visible sign and seal that God communes with his people. The pastor makes clear that the table is for those who trust in Christ, and invites the people to partake for their spiritual nourishment and comfort.
Song of Dedication – Having communed with our God, we take upon our lips a song of joyful thanksgiving.
Benediction and Dismissal – Just as God initiated our worship, so now God concludes our worship with His benediction. In the benediction, God, through the minister, blesses His beloved people.