Our congregation generally follows this liturgical format with varying levels of formality. Some portions, like the Call to Worship, are quite consistently formal and responsive. Other portions, like how we deal with Confession/Assurance varies on Lord's Day to Lord's Day, (some Sunday's confession is included in the Pastoral Prayer, others it is a formalized liturgy with a reading of the Law).
I have found it interesting, in reading through the liturgies of the Reformation in Gibson and Earngey's, Reformation Worship, (https://reformationworship.com/liturgies/) how the liturgies in the Reformation period and beyond were definitely dialogical, but also structured a little differently, often they began with Confession, Assurance, and a reading of the Law before going anywhere else in a service of worship. I do wonder if there are some other ways to think about how to have dialogical worship services, founded on Scripture, and perhaps change our perception of what we're doing when we gather together. (Beginning with confession perhaps displays to us the right perception of the holiness of God!)
I am curious if there are any interesting discussions that might come from this--forgive me if some of this might be a little stream-of-consciousness!
Hi Eric. Not that this is something we'd have to do, but for example, here's Calvin's Form of Ecclesiastical Prayers, (1545, 1542, 1566) from Geneva, (specifically formulated for a Service of the Word):
SERVICE OF THE WORD Votum (Ps. 124:8) Confession Prayer for Forgiveness Psalm Prayer for Illumination Scripture Sermon Intercessions Lord’s Prayer Paraphrase Benediction
Worship began with the Votum, and then jumped right into confession of sin, all well before Psalm-singing, and functions as a Call to Worship as you said.. Not that there is anything wrong with worship beginning with a Call to Worship and Opening Prayer, it is perfectly fine to do so, but I wonder out loud if there is anything to be gained (or lost) by this more traditional approach. If we have questions of how to define distinctly Christian Reformed worship services, this certainly contrasts with broader Evangelicalism, as well as with many Reformed and Presbyterian practices.
Again, I am not suggesting this is something we should do, I have certainly been edified in classic CRC worship services, as well as standard broader Evangelical worship services, but perhaps food for thought!
I think you're right, it does feel abrupt. For Reformation Sunday Evening Service a couple years ago, we tried to open worship with Confession, and found that yes, indeed, it felt abrupt, but also, the change in what is sometimes ritual was very meaningful to a number of people. Then again, we haven't done it since.
I do believe it's helpful for us to think intently on how worship services can primarily best glorify God, and secondarily best edify His people, and I think these conversations can play into that, thanks for thinking with me.
Posted in: Worshipping Together: A Template of CRC Liturgy
I love this discussion, Trevor, thank you!
Our congregation generally follows this liturgical format with varying levels of formality. Some portions, like the Call to Worship, are quite consistently formal and responsive. Other portions, like how we deal with Confession/Assurance varies on Lord's Day to Lord's Day, (some Sunday's confession is included in the Pastoral Prayer, others it is a formalized liturgy with a reading of the Law).
I have found it interesting, in reading through the liturgies of the Reformation in Gibson and Earngey's, Reformation Worship, (https://reformationworship.com/liturgies/) how the liturgies in the Reformation period and beyond were definitely dialogical, but also structured a little differently, often they began with Confession, Assurance, and a reading of the Law before going anywhere else in a service of worship. I do wonder if there are some other ways to think about how to have dialogical worship services, founded on Scripture, and perhaps change our perception of what we're doing when we gather together. (Beginning with confession perhaps displays to us the right perception of the holiness of God!)
I am curious if there are any interesting discussions that might come from this--forgive me if some of this might be a little stream-of-consciousness!
Posted in: Worshipping Together: A Template of CRC Liturgy
Hi Eric. Not that this is something we'd have to do, but for example, here's Calvin's Form of Ecclesiastical Prayers,
(1545, 1542, 1566) from Geneva, (specifically formulated for a Service of the Word):
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Votum (Ps. 124:8)
Confession
Prayer for Forgiveness
Psalm
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture
Sermon
Intercessions
Lord’s Prayer Paraphrase
Benediction
Worship began with the Votum, and then jumped right into confession of sin, all well before Psalm-singing, and functions as a Call to Worship as you said.. Not that there is anything wrong with worship beginning with a Call to Worship and Opening Prayer, it is perfectly fine to do so, but I wonder out loud if there is anything to be gained (or lost) by this more traditional approach. If we have questions of how to define distinctly Christian Reformed worship services, this certainly contrasts with broader Evangelicalism, as well as with many Reformed and Presbyterian practices.
Again, I am not suggesting this is something we should do, I have certainly been edified in classic CRC worship services, as well as standard broader Evangelical worship services, but perhaps food for thought!
Posted in: Worshipping Together: A Template of CRC Liturgy
I think you're right, it does feel abrupt. For Reformation Sunday Evening Service a couple years ago, we tried to open worship with Confession, and found that yes, indeed, it felt abrupt, but also, the change in what is sometimes ritual was very meaningful to a number of people. Then again, we haven't done it since.
I do believe it's helpful for us to think intently on how worship services can primarily best glorify God, and secondarily best edify His people, and I think these conversations can play into that, thanks for thinking with me.
Posted in: What Songs Bring You Comfort? Let's Make a Playlist
Here's a playlist I put together for our church family (First Reformed Church, Lincoln Park, NJ):
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6GDXyVpE5tqFTeAnI1I5Y6?si=PHZeDYPVSJyN2UD_Pn2dCw
Highlights include:
Oh, God by Citizens
Chaos by Ghost Ship
Where Were You by Ghost Ship
The Road, The Rocks, and The Weeds by John Mark McMillan
Is He Worthy? by Andrew Peterson