Sunday, February 11
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
CHORAL CALL TO CORPORATE WORSHIP
The Lord is My Light
WELCOME & RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE READING
Pastor of Corporate Worship: Ryan Foglesong
Psalm 27:1; 18:28, 30; 18:1-3; Rev. 5:12
ADORATION & ASSURANCE OF PARDON
It Was Finished Upon That Cross
In Tenderness
THANKSGIVING
Hebrews 4:14-16
Before the Throne of God Above
PETITION: PRAYER FOR THE OFFERING
Executive Pastor: Joe Keller
OFFERTORY
Give Me Jesus
PROCLAMATION
The Light Shines in Galilee: Messiah Proclaims the Kingdom
Matthew 4:12-25
Senior Pastor: David W. Hegg
COMMISSION & BENEDICTION
Pastor of Adult & Family Ministries: Alan Berthiaume
What is a liturgy?
The word "liturgy" comes from the Greek word "leitourgia", which means "public service" or "work of the people." In ancient Greece, it was used to describe a public duty or service that citizens were expected to perform for the good of their community. In the context of Christian worship, liturgy refers to a structured form of worship that includes set prayers, songs, readings, and ordinances. It is a way of ordering and shaping the worship experience, allowing for a sense of continuity and unity across time and space.
For many Christians, the word "liturgy" conjures up images of high church ceremonies, ancient vestments, and ornate rituals. However, a liturgy or "order of service" is simply a structured way of worshiping God. Here at Grace, we find that the Gospel, the objective historical narrative of God saving a people in and through his Son Jesus Christ, is our best story, so we design our services with that narrative arc in mind.
At its core, a liturgy consists of seven main elements: Adoration, Confession, Assurance of Pardon, Thanksgiving, Petition, Proclamation, and Benediction. Most of these can take the form of a song, prayer, responsive scripture reading, reciting a creed, or observing the ordinances of Baptism and Communion.
Adoration is the act of praising God for who he is and what he has done.
Confession is the acknowledgment of our sin and our need for forgiveness.
Assurance of Pardon is the reminder that, through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we are forgiven and made right with God.
Thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude for God's many blessings in our lives.
Petition is the asking of God for our needs, both personal and communal. For example, this might involve praying for healing, provision, protection, or wisdom.
Proclamation is the preaching of the Word of God.
Finally, Benediction is the blessing that sends us out into the world, ready to live out our faith in our daily lives. This might involve a prayer of commissioning, a spoken benediction, or a final hymn.
Taken together, these elements create a structure that helps to retell the Gospel story in a clear and compelling way. By incorporating these elements into our worship, we are reminded of our need for God's grace, challenged to live out our faith in the world in holiness and boldness, and empowered to share the Good News with others.
Whether we integrate a traditional liturgy or a more contemporary one, remember that at the center, it is a retelling of the Gospel story - a story that is as relevant and life-changing today as it was two thousand years ago.
You can always find our liturgy by scanning the QR code on your Grace Weekly bulletin on a Sunday morning or by visiting this page: www.gracebaptist.org/orderofservice