We believe that worship is centered on these two words: revelation and response. God chose to reveal who He is to us through His word, His Spirit and how those two things are seen in actions. We as His creation are then faced with the opportunity to respond. I believe that corporate worship should follow that cycle. I plan the services I lead with those thoughts in mind using songs, scriptures and prayers to both reveal who He is and then give opportunity to respond. However I miss the mark when it comes to giving time for response following the sermon. It has been our tradition to load the service heavy with congregation participation before the sermon, and therefore leave little time for response after. (Granted most weeks we add an ‘invitation time’ (come forward to join the church) but is that really the only opportunity for response we should lead. No time to get into that now, maybe a later blog post.)
This week we minimized the time of congregation participation before the sermon so that we could give more time as response after the sermon. This is something we will continue to include and it will vary from week to week.
Here is what our setlist looked like this week:
Pre-service Everlasting God (orchestra)
Song Set Majestic by Lincoln Brewster Prayer Holy Is the Lord by Franz Schubert (a very old song whose text gives opportunity to worship God as Father , Son and Holy Spirit. We have changed the melody from being in 3/4 to 4/4) We Believe (I have posted the text below ) Turn Your Eyes by Amanda Green Kinner (a choir feature from an arrangement from Prestonwood Baptist Church)
Welcome
Sermon
Song Set For Your Glory by T.W. Hale and Michael H Smith Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin and others
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Spoken Creed:
We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and the earth. He is our God and we are His people, the works of His hands and the treasure of His heart.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who was born of a virgin, died on the cross for the forgiveness or our sins, and rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven where He rules with the Father in all power and authority. He is our Redeemer, and we are the sheep of His pasture, receivers of His abundant grace.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Give of Life and the power of God at work in us and in the church today. Day after day He guides us and keeps us strong in the one true faith, that we may serve God and others and wait with great joy for the last day when Christ will return to take us home to live with Him in eternity. This we believe and confess with our whole heart, soul, and mind, for it is most certainly true.
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This post is my contribution to the blog carnival Sunday Setlists which can be found at The Worship Community.