Sunday, September 24
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
MUSICAL CALL TO CORPORATE WORSHIP
O Worship the King
RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 105:6-8; Deuteronomy 31:8
ADORATION
The Lord Our God
WELCOME & PASTORAL PRAYER
Senior Pastor: David W. Hegg
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
It Was Finished Upon that Cross
DEVOTION
Behold Our God
PASTORAL PRAYER
Pastor of Musical Worship: Peter Beers
TESTIMONY
The Stream: Sue Antico
PROCLAMATION
God’s Covenant with David | 2 Sam. 7; Ps. 89:19-37
Senior Pastor: David W. Hegg
ANNOUNCEMENTS & BENEDICTION
Pastor of Equipping: Aaron Miller
Why is it so bright in here?
You may notice during our times of corporate worship through song that we keep the "house" lights on at full brightness. Although we can turn them down, we believe that keeping them up communicates God's purpose for His people gathering together, which encompasses a vertical and horizontal focus. The gathering serves as an opportunity to exalt our Triune God (vertical) and to encourage and equip the congregation (horizontal). Colossians 3:16-17 is clear that our time together should be for benefitting one another as we sing, allowing the gospel to dwell in us richly.
[16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:16–17 ESV)
Participation:
The use of lighting, sound, musical instruments, projection, or any technology during corporate worship should not be, first and foremost, to create a particular ambiance or atmosphere but to promote the congregation's participation so that the "one-anotherness" is clearly seen and felt. Worship pastor and author Bob Kauflin emphasizes that "when we gather to worship, it's not primarily about watching something or someone else; it's about all of us participating together in the worship of God." By keeping the lights on, everyone is encouraged to participate and engage in the worship service.
Community:
Moreover, keeping the house lights on during corporate worship can aid in creating an environment that fosters community and togetherness. Matt Merker, a worship pastor and songwriter, affirms that "the gathering is a time to express our shared faith and identity as the people of God." By keeping the lights on, people are able to see and connect with one another as they participate in worship together. This creates a sense of belonging and strengthens the bonds of the community.
Performance:
So are there contexts where we turn the lights down low and highlight the stage with an audience present? Yes, and the most common occurrence here at Grace Baptist is during a concert. Over the years, we've enjoyed having Shane & Shane, Andrew Peterson, the Gettys, and several other groups here for performances where we pull out the haze machines, moving spotlights, turn the house lights down, turn the volume up, and enjoy being immersed in the ambiance and musical creativity of the artist. "Performance" isn't a bad word and has its place since we all enjoy the common grace of beauty and artistry. But we want to maintain a clear distinction between concerts and worship services as much as possible to effectively communicate the unique values of each without causing any confusion.
The temptation for churches to try and emulate a concert setting for their worship services has become increasingly popular in recent years. With the rise of contemporary worship music and advancements in technology, it has become more accessible and affordable for churches to create an atmosphere that resembles that of a concert. However, this trend raises concerns about the true purpose of worship and the message it conveys to congregants.
The church, during a corporate worship service, is not a concert venue. It is a place for worship, fellowship, and community as the family of God. After all, here at Grace we call our Worship Center "the Family Room." By keeping the lights on, we remind ourselves that we are not just spectators but active participants in the worship service. Kauflin asserts "that when we worship together, we are making a joyful noise to the Lord (Ps. 100:1), not just listening to one." Keeping the house lights on helps us remember that we are all part of the same body of Christ and that our collective worship is an act of obedience and devotion to our Lord.