BELOW ARE THE ELEMENTS OF OUR SERVICE

PREPARATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
Psalm 29:2

The Christian life begins with God calling us to Himself, and our gatherings aim to reflect that. After a moment to quietly collect ourselves, we begin by hearing God calling us to worship from His Word, the Scriptures. The rest of the service is a “dialogue” of God speaking to us, and us responding to Him.

SONGS

Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
Psalm 47:6

Singing is a vital part of gathered worship. Our practice is to sing songs that reflect God’s character, the gospel story, and our life in Christ. We draw from the Church’s rich history of hymn-writing, and emphasize the congregation’s collective voice. 

PRAYER

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

Our corporate gathering gives us an opportunity to pray as a family. The Bible shows men and women praising God, confessing sin, lamenting evil and suffering, and seeking God’s help – all through prayer.

CONFESSION

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:5

Christians are always growing into the holiness that is ours in Jesus. By confessing our sins, we bring the truth about our hearts into the merciful light of God’s grace. This renews our joy and hope in Christ - forgiven by His blood, united to His Spirit, empowered by His grace, and sealed by His love. 

CORPORATE READING

Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture.
1 Timothy 4:13

God speaks by His Word - so we ought to listen! In our gatherings, we hear the Bible read and also read from it together aloud. We also read from various Christian creeds and confessions - not as a substitute for Scripture, but to remember and affirm the truths that have united God’s people throughout history.

SERMON

We preach Christ crucified…
1 Corinthians 1:23

We preach through books of the Bible, from beginning to end, because all Scripture is from God, and is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). God builds His church through the preaching of His Word, growing us into the likeness of the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death…
1 Corinthians 11:26

Jesus taught us to remember His death with the bread and the cup. We welcome to the table all who trust in Christ, have been baptized, and identify with a gospel-preaching church. We invite others to take this time to reflect, repent of their sin, and trust in Christ’s forgiveness.

BAPTISM

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…
Matthew 28:19

Jesus taught us to baptize His disciples. Baptism itself saves no one, but is the response of those who God brings to repent of their sin and believe in Christ. It is a symbol and celebration of being united to Christ and no longer the world, and being united with Christ’s body of disciples. 

BENEDICTION AND SILENT REFLECTION

The LORD bless you and keep you.
Numbers 6:24

God sends us into the rest of the week with a promise and blessing from His Word. We also spend a moment letting our minds settle under all we’ve heard. Take the time to meditate on something from the service, and invite God’s Spirit to help you respond with joy.

After the service, we spend time catching up with one another and meeting visitors, so stick around and chat!