Dear Congregation,
In coming into the church building we should be conscious that we are coming into a place of prayer – as God in Isa 56:7a assures those whom He saves, and which Jesus takes up in Matt 21:13
“Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.”
We do not come into church as an audience gathering for an event as one might in a theatre or concert hall. We assemble to worship the holy God of creation and redemption. This is a special place.
There will rightly be a few words of warm welcome to visitors and brief attention to any important notices. This is an interruption to private worship, but removes an unnecessary interruption of public worship, a distraction from the purpose for which we have gathered which is to worship God.
‘The congregation being assembled, the minister, after solemn calling on them to the worshipping of the great name of God, is to begin with prayer.’ – The Directory for the Public Worship of God
The Call to Worship summons the people to consider the exalted purpose for which we are gathered, securing their attention for that purpose of worshipping God.
The Call to Worship is God’s invitation to come before Him and to worship Him. The Minister calls them on behalf of God, quoting from Scripture in such a way that the divine-human dialogue of worship begins. We hear our God call us to Himself, calling us to contemplate His greatness and to worship Him in humble praise.
The Call to Worship calls God’s people to set aside their everyday concerns and responsibilities so they could give themselves to a special time of worship, distinguishing it from every other moment and experience.
To the Call to Worship there must be a proper response, for the people to do what they have been called to do in an act of pure worship. We respond in prayer of adoration and confession, and encouraged by an assurance of His grace, we continue in a hymn of adoration and praise.
‘The fact is, the opening element of a service can be significant or wasted. It can be a help or a hindrance. Perhaps this is the question that distinguishes one from the other: Are those opening words going to draw attention to the leader or to Christ? Will they elevate people’s eyes to see their Saviour, or lower their eyes to see the leader? The way I see it, the first words people hear as they assemble to worship, and the final words they hear as they disassemble to live in this world for another week, should not be vapid. In fact, we could make the argument that they should be the most significant of all.’ – Tim Challies
You, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. (Psalm 97:9); You are good and do good… (Psalm 119:68); You are righteous, O LORD… (Psalm 119:137); You are my God… (Psalm 118:28)
Therefore, O God, my God; I seek you earnestly; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1); Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! (Psalm 143:10)
Together in Christ’s love and service,
John
Your Pastor