Each week, I work with my fellow pastor to layout the order of our corporate worship for the coming Sunday. Simply put, we work on an order of worship because God’s Word expects corporate worship to be orderly (1 Cor. 14:40). Contrary to some opinions, orderly gatherings of corporate worship do not have to produce a dead traditionalism. In fact, the best traditions will have the opposite impact on the church. As Jaroslav Pelikan, once who wrote, “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. And, I suppose I should add, it is traditionalism that gives tradition such a bad name.”
In a broad sense, to speak of an order of worship is to speak of a liturgy. And all churches, even those who deny it, have some form of liturgy. They have some order of worship. Recognizing this, I want to endeavor to make sure that order is saturated with God’s Word. So, in the sample liturgy/order of worship that follows, I am consciously making sure that God’s Word is at the forefront of our worship and that the gospel message is setting a pattern for our gathering.
Here is a sample from one of our upcoming corporate worship gatherings:
Greeting
Confession of Sin with the Assurance of Pardon
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, grant us peace.
For Lord, we know, that if You should mark our iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness,
That You may be revered.
Call to Worship
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
To sing praises to your name, O Most High;
To declare your steadfast love in the morning,
And your faithfulness by night;
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work
Confession of Faith
Article IV.C – Salvation – Sanctification
Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.
Songs of Praise
This Is Amazing Grace
Give Us Clean Hands
Scripture Reading – Matthew 5:13-20
Pastoral Prayer Adapted from Valley of Vision, God’s Cause
SOVEREIGN GOD,
It is Your cause, and not our own, that engages our hearts,
and we appeal to You with the greatest freedom
to set up Your kingdom in every place
where Satan reigns;
Glorify Yourself and we will rejoice,
for to bring honor to
We adore You as our God,
and long that others should know it, feel it,
and rejoice in it.
O that all men might love and praise You,
from the world!
Let sinners be brought to You for Your dear name!
Lord, to those who view everything through reason
the conversion of others makes no sense,
But You are able to accomplish great things;
the cause is Yours,
and it is to Your glory that men should be saved.
Lord, use us as You will,
do with us what You will;
but, O, promote Your cause,
let Your kingdom come,
let Your blessed interest be advanced
in this world!
Bring in great numbers to Jesus!
let us see that glorious day,
and give us to grasp for multitudes of souls;
let us be willing to give our own lives to that end;
and while we live let us labor for You
to the utmost of our strength,
spending time profitably in this work,
both in health and in weakness.
It is Your cause and kingdom we long for,
not our own.
O, answer our my request!
Songs of Praise
Be Thou My Vision
King of My Heart
Sermon – “Living as Children of God” – 1 Peter 1:13-16
Song of Response – Just as I Am
Offering – God’s Word tell us to “not neglect to do good and to share what we have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). As we prepare to give our tithes and offerings, let us remember that we do so out of a desire to do good and share with a cheerful heart of thankfulness to God.
Offertory Prayer
Benediction
May the only One Who grants pardon for sin and a peace that endures,
And Whose own presence guides and cheers, Strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
