Theology of Worship
The Primacy & Importance of Worship
God alone is worthy of worship and delights in His own glory, and so creates, seeks, saves, and commands His people to worship Him. Though believers’ entire lives are to be characterized by spiritual service of worship, God is present and blesses His people in a special way in corporate worship. Our greatest duty and delight is in worshiping the triune God in the beauty of holiness (1 Chron 16:29; Ps 29:2; Ps 96:9).
Liturgy
"Liturgy" is the name given to one's custom of public worship; that is, how one regularly worships God. A biblical liturgy demonstrates that God’s people are His treasured possession, called and separated from the world to be assembled in His presence before the holy of holies. Our liturgy is designed to reflect historic, classical worship in the Reformed tradition. We strive for decency, order, and excellence in every part of our liturgy to reflect God’s beauty, holiness, and majesty. Though Scripture does not prescribe a specific liturgy, it reveals its content and shape, which includes reading and preaching of God’s Word; prayer; psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; confession; offerings; sacraments; and the benediction. (Click here for our order of worship) These elements are patterned after the Covenant of Grace, in which God initiates worship, reveals His will and graciously works through His Word. God’s people accordingly respond by humbly, reverently, and boldly calling upon Him in faith, joyfully offering thanksgiving and praise, giving to God what has been received from His gracious hand. A biblical liturgy manifests God’s saving work among His people. Such a dialogical pattern is fulfilled in Christ, through Whom we have access to the Father and receive His blessings.
Reformed Worship as Word Centered
Since worship is of utmost importance, it must be protected by ordained ministers entrusted to guard the Gospel, lead worship, and train those under their care to offer acceptable worship, in spirit and truth. We adhere to the principle of Sola Scriptura (by Scripture Alone). God commands to be worshiped according to His revealed will alone, not according to personal preferences and cultural fads.
Ordinary Means of Grace
God sovereignly establishes and increases faith through His ordained means, often called ordinary means of grace, which are vital for believers’ spiritual nourishment and growth. God’s people are therefore commanded to participate regularly in Lord’s Day corporate worship, in dependence upon God’s Spirit Who applies Christ’s benefits through His Word and sacraments. We therefore practice systematic expository preaching of God’s Word, recognize spoken and sung prayer as the chief means of gratitude and praise to God, and administer the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We celebrate the Lord's Supper on the 1st Sunday each month. As such, we are a church governed by the ordinary means of grace. Although various ministries and fellowship opportunities certainly exist within our church community, we are not a program-driven church but an ordinary-means-of-grace-driven church.
________________________________________________________________________________
The five "solas" of the Reformation are more than slogans to be recovered; they are the messages that will renew the church's mission in our age.
Gospel-centered preaching that rightly distinguishes between law and gospel rescues the church from "Christless Christianity" while enabling Christians to grow in grace.
Word and Sacrament ministry realigns the church's mission and identity from program-driven pragmatism to the means of grace that Christ has ordained for the creation, sustenance, and expansion of his kingdom.
Soli Deo Gloria!
