Every few weeks I like to share an example of one of our worship services from Grace Fellowship Church. I hope that by doing this others will begin to share their services as well. I am eager to learn from other churches as they tell how they choose to worship the Lord.
This service’s cast of characters included Paul as our service leader and lead worshipper, myself as the elder who read the Scripture text and prayed, and Stefan as our Scripture reader. Our band consisted of two guitars, cajon, and piano accompanying a male and two female vocalists. The various elements of the service are in bold with the name of the person who led the element in parentheses. Items in quotes represent roughly what the person said to the congregation. Items not in quotes are explanatory. The entire service takes approximately 90 minutes.
Call to Worship (Paul)
The call to worship was taken from Psalm 105:1–5 which Paul read aloud:
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.
Singing (Paul)
Opposite Text Reading (Stefan)
“Today we will hear about the blessing Aaron was to pronounce over the people of God. We need blessing, because we have all been cursed. Listen to the Word of God.”
[Stefan read Galatians 3:10-14]
“This reading was from Galatians 3.”
Confession of Sin (Paul)
“The curse that came was due to breaking God’s Law. Even as Christians, we admit we are still lawbreakers, but we are lawbreakers with hope. Read aloud with me the words of hope that follow each of God’s Ten Commandments.”
Leader: And God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God…You shall have no other gods before me.
Congregation: Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
Leader: You shall not make for yourself an idol…You shall not bow down to them or worship them.
Congregation: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Leader: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
Congregation: O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Leader: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Congregation: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.
Leader: Honor your father and your mother.
Congregation: Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
Leader: You shall not murder.
Congregation: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me.
Leader: You shall not commit adultery.
Congregation: You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Leader: You shall not steal.
Congregation: Have mercy on me, O God…blot out my transgressions.
Leader: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
Congregation: Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law.
Leader: You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
Congregation: Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Save me from all my transgressions.
Leader: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, he hears their cry and saves them.
Congregation: My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Singing (Paul)
Pastoral Prayer (Tim)
I led the pastoral prayer. Each week we pray for items that are urgent but also some that are “scheduled.” This week those included our evangelism as members, the nation of Gabon, and Heritage College and Seminary.
Scripture Reading (Tim)
“Please take your Bible and turn to Numbers 6. We will be reading verses 1-27. You will find that on page 114 if you are using one of our church Bibles. If you don’t have a Bible of your own, please take that one as our gift to you. This is what Holy Scripture says…”
[Read Numbers 6:1-27]
I closed the reading with, “This is the word of the Lord,” to which the congregation responded, “Thanks be to God.”
Singing (Paul)
Sermon (Peter)
Peter preached a sermon titled “The Divine Blessing” following the text of Numbers 6:1-27. It followed this outline:
- The Call of the Blessing
- The Content of the Blessing
- The Crux of the Blessing
Singing (Paul)
Lord’s Supper (Steve)
Our Associate Pastor Steve led Lord’s Supper. He was assisted by two of our elders and two of our deacons.
Singing (Paul)
Commission (Peter)
Peter tied the message of the sermon into a “commission” that challenged the church to live out its truths throughout the week.
Benediction (Peter)
“Receive this blessing of the Lord from His Word: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’ Amen.”
