However, variations in style should always be consistent with the essence of worship and the assumptions mentioned above. With familiar acts of entrance each week, worshipers will find security and strength in entering the presence of God.ĭepending on the style of worship and the culture of the congregation, the acts of worship will be quite different from one congregation to another. As worship opens nearly all worshipers need certain familiar and standard actions on a weekly basis to reinforce the above convictions. This God-action (the vertical dimension) must be made clear at the beginning of worship.ĥ. Worship is not first of all a human activity, but a divine activity. As worship begins it is vitally important that we are made conscious that we have not gathered ourselves, nor have we as leaders done the gathering. We can expect that he is eager to meet us and will respond to us with his gracious blessing.Ĥ.
We gather as the image-bearing creatures of God who bring him honor, but also as the redeemed children of God who bring him our love and needs. In order to do justice to the way in which God has revealed himself, none of the three should be eclipsed by another. God is Trinity, and we worship him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The opening actions should make clear that we are here to listen to God and respond in faith.Ģ. The opening of worship should clearly establish worship's purpose. The following beliefs help form our worship practices, and we should intentionally affirm them.ġ. The results were seen in deepened commitments to obedience and in warm welcomes to all who came to faith.īasic convictions should always shape our actions. With awe and faith they came into the presence of God, eager to hear him speak, to speak to him in return, and to enjoy fellowship with each other.
The glimpse we receive into the New Testament church in Acts 2 illustrates their practice of what Psalm 95 presented. We can expect to be welcomed into his presence because we are the "flock under his care." What a rich spirit in which to begin worship! We affirm that he is the "great God," our maker and our shepherd. We are exhorted to come with joy, thanksgiving, music and song. Tom Long (in Testimony) says that worship trains us to have a "sort of double vision about other people, to see people, including ourselves, as flawed and broken but also as created, chosen, and beloved by God" (p.45).Īs you reflect on Psalm 95, notice the direction in which these exhortations move. We all see a number of other people we probably would not choose to be with in any other setting.
People who are strangers are sitting next to each other. While most congregations are of similar background and culture, it's also true that every congregation has a mix of diversity. Those who gather are usually quite a mix. Stop and take an intentional look at how your congregation gathers. In still others the gathering takes the form of clergy and choir solemnly processing down the aisle to their respective places. In some congregations the worshipers gather around a coffee pot in the fellowship area and noisily catch up on the events of the week until they are called in. They come from a wide variety of locations and experiences when they come into the place of worship. It's really quite an amazing thing when worshipers gather. We can expect to be welcomed into his presence because we are the "flock under his care." What a rich spirit in which to begin worship! By: Norma de Waal Malefyt and Howard Vanderwell Tags: acts, bible studies, psalms Article posted on October 19, 2010
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