This article is under development.
Worship the Triune Redeemer
Brothers and sisters, we have gathered to worship the Triune God.
We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity.
Glory be to the Father, who planned our redemption before the foundation of the world.
Glory be to the Son, who redeemed us with his precious blood.
Glory be to the Spirit, who sealed us for the day of redemption.
(ALL) Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Worship in Dialogue With God
Brothers and sisters, we have gathered to worship the Triune God.
We have gathered to praise the Father who loves us.
We have gathered to exalt the Son who redeemed us by his blood.
We have gathered to magnify the Spirit who unites us as one body in Christ.
We gather because Christian worship is not a matter between “me” and God alone.
Worship is a conversation between God and his people.
God speaks to us—through the reading of his Word, the preaching of his Word, and the words of institution at the Lord’s Supper.
The church speaks back—by lifting our voices as one in prayer, praise, and confession of faith.
This morning, don’t be an observer; be a participant.
We will join in the conversation with our whole hearts.
Listen as we let God’s Word be the first Word. Hear the Word of the Lord in ______.
Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy
Brothers and sisters, we have gathered to worship the Almighty, the King of Creation.
He is the Lord, and it is right that we should obey him.
God has commanded, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.”
We must keep the times which God has appointed in his Word.
Today is the Lord’s Day, not our day; it is a day for rest and worship.
We will not profane the Lord’s Day or neglect to assemble together.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
A Holy Temple and Priesthood
Brothers and sisters, we have come together as living stones, to form a holy temple, built up in Christ the cornerstone. We have gathered as holy priesthood to offer sacrifices acceptable to God, and to raise to heaven the incense of prayer and thanksgiving. The worship that we offer on this sacred day, the Lord’s Day, is not first and foremost about us. It is about the honor and glory of our great God, before whom the angels cry day and night, “Holy, holy, holy!” (Rev. 4:8). It is about the reverence and awe that is due to him who is seated on the throne, before whom the elders cast down their crowns and say, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power!” (Rev. 4:11).
If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, then this is not a time when you may merely observe, or go through the motions. At our baptism, we were anointed like Levites to be servants of the new and true tabernacle. This public and perpetual worship is our sacred vocation, our solemn and joyful duty. So forget about yourself, and concentrate on him, and worship him. Focus your heart and mind on divine things. Listen attentively to the readings, as if Christ himself was speaking—for that is exactly what happens when the Scriptures are read in the sanctuary. Sing loudly, robustly, and from the heart, as if Christ was next to you—for he is already here, and has promised to be present wherever two or three are gathered in his name. Raise a hand, say “Amen,” and confess the Creed with vigor, as if speaking directly to a brother or sister in need—for you may never know who needs to hear your voice in the congregation of the saints.
“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress” (Ps. 48:1–3).
