Sunday, December 31
Welcome to our Order of Service page! Each week, a team of pastors and staff get together to collaborate on the liturgy, or order of service, for Sunday. Every element is prayerfully and carefully crafted so that the Gospel, God’s redemptive story to save a people for Himself in and through His Son Jesus Christ, would be clear and compelling. We hope you’ll enjoy following along with us as we present and rehearse the Gospel again this morning.
Order of Service
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor of Corporate Worship: Ryan Foglesong
Jeremiah 9:23-24
ADORATION
All My Boast is in Jesus
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Grace Alone
RESPONSIVE READING
Ephesians 2:8-10; 18-22
THANKSGIVING & CONSECRATION
All Glory Be to Christ
PETITION: PRAYER FOR THE OFFERING
Pastor of Adult and Family Ministries: Alan Berthiaume
OFFERTORY
All of Our Tomorrows
PROCLAMATION
Zealous for Good Works | Titus 2:11-14
Executive Pastor: Joe Keller
COMMISSION & BENEDICTION
Executive Pastor: Joe Keller
Why do we have different styles of music on Sunday?
As you come on Sunday mornings, you may notice that the style of music and the instrumental and vocal ensembles change from week to week. Some weeks it's band-driven; other weeks - full orchestra and choir. We sing traditional hymns, praise choruses, songs written centuries ago, and others written a month before we use them in services. There are good reasons to have diversity in style and ensembles.
Stewarding Gifts
Here at Grace, we are fortunate to have a vast array of musically gifted members who are passionate about serving in music ministry. Our pool of volunteers includes talented individuals who play in bands, orchestras, small vocal groups, and choirs. Recognizing that God has blessed us with these gifts and abilities, we are committed to providing opportunities and ensembles for our members to serve and use their gifts for his glory.
As each has received a gift, we are to use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)
Describing God's Glory
We believe that the glory of God cannot be fully captured within one style of music or ensemble. So we need the simplicity of a cappella (no instruments, just our voices), the full complexity of a 100-person choir, symphonic orchestra, driving band, and everything in between just attempting with music to describe how glorious our God is. We want to communicate with undistracting excellence the majesty, humility, love, justice, power, and meekness of our Savior, Jesus Christ - diversity in song style and ensemble can help us do that.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Supporting Congregational Singing
The Bible doesn't state that God has a favorite music genre, but it does indicate that he cherishes one musical instrument above all others: the human voice. Scripture mentions singing over four hundred times, with fifty of those instances commanding us to sing. While obeying these biblical commands during corporate worship, we may find ourselves drawn more to certain styles that stir us emotionally since naturally, we all have preferences when it comes to musical styles. However, if we're willing to put aside our musical tastes and instead prioritize the unity of the church, we can join in singing together with whatever instruments accompany us. In doing so, we may be surprised by how our focus shifts from musical style to the power of our collective voice in worshiping God.
"We need to embrace diversity in the church and not let our personal preferences become a source of division. Music should bring us together, not drive us apart." - Keith Getty (modern hymn writer and author).