Order
Of Service Template
And
Guidelines
Order of Service
******, 2011
Pastor Mike
Miedema
1) Prelude (“ ” ) (Worship Team) (9:55 to 10:00) 5 min
2) Elder Welcome and Introductions (Elder: ) (10:00 – 10:05) 5 min
3) Coming into God’s Presence (Worship Team) (10:05 – 10:20) 15 min
a. Call to Worship: (Pastor Mike)
b. Songs of Praise and Worship (think of the songs moving from uplifting and engaging to intimate and relevant to the upcoming message)
i. “Song 1”
ii. “Song 2”
iii. “Song 3”
iv. “Song 4’ (if time permits)
4) God’s Greeting (and invitation to “pass the peace”) (Pastor Mike) (10:20 – 10:25) 5 min
5)
Liturgy (Confession or Law or Apostle’s Creed or Lord’s Supper) (10:25 – 10:30) 6 min (time period extended for Lord’s Supper to
12- 15 min)
a. Reading (on overhead)
b.
Song “ ” (song as congregation
comes forward and usually a reprise as they return to their seats)
6) Hearing God’s Word (10:35 – 11:05) 30 min
a. Scripture: (Reader: ) 5 min
b. Children’s Message: (Pastor Mike – Children come forward) 3 min (exit accompanied by inst. music – children’s song)
c. Message: “ ” (Pastor Mike ) 20 min
7) Response to God’s Word (Worship Team) 5 min
8) Offering: “ ” (11:10 – 11:15) 5 min
a. Deacon
b. Taking up The Collection – Content: Usually Music (“ ”) (should be considered by all as being a significant opportunity to offer God more than money.. ) (can also be used by the Deacon for showing a video or having someone talk about the offering – this may happen without notice.)
c. Prayer
9) Congregational Prayer (Elder/s) (11:15 – 11:25) 10 min
10) Parting Blessing (Pastor Mike) (11:25 – 11:27) 2 min
11) Announcements (The Elder of the Month
will advise of, and coordinate any announcements)
12) Closing Song (Invitation to Fellowship/Prayer) (worship team) (11:27 – 11:30) 3 min
13) Reprise (“ ”)(11:30 – 11:33) 3 min (usually a portion of the last song or other song that the congregation can exit with music.) (it really helps as a way of preventing God’s people from leaving in an awkward silence unless that silence is very intentional – such as a Good Friday service.)
(This is only
a partial representation of the complete guidelines, which are currently under
review. I pray that they are useful.)
Timing - is approximate and can be shuffled around and adjusted as needed. The example does give some idea of time allotment and adjustments that may be required to accommodate additions or changes.
Focus – the
objective for worship is to take the focus off of us, and our personal lives,
and focus on God. (Think of how good it feels to “lay it all down” and just be
with God)
Progression – when people arrive at church they are entering into God’s house first through the door, then the front hall then into the sanctuary area. Our building does not have that “inner courts” feel in the sanctuary but the real progression to the “Inner Court” is within the heart of each person whom God has called. The Order of Service should help people move inwardly from that external place to the “inner court” or place where they can effectively hear God’s Word for them.
Call to Worship – There should always be some form of Call to Worship. This can
help identify the context in which God calls us (get our hearts in a right
place to worship and hear the message). I asked God for an example and he gave
me Jeremiah 31:9-14. Please read this. After receiving this I consider a song
that might lead the time of musical praise and worship to follow. This is the
beginning in which God, through prayer, will guide you through the rest of the
Order of Service. The elders may, after pre-service prayer, have a Call to
Worship. The Elder will read it at the conclusion of the “Elder Welcome”. (It’s wonderful how often this happens when
I am unsure of the “Call to Worship” I had in mind.) If an Elder should
pre-empt your “Call To Worship” consider if it may fit elsewhere or you may be
led to share it with someone after the service or keep it as being especially
for you. (God does not give it to you without purpose.)
New Songs – Teaching a new song to the congregation is a great way of engaging people, encouraging them, and helping to inspire a “Family of God” experience. (Usually works best near the beginning of the service.) Avoid having more than one new song per service to avoid “losing” the congregation. This will also give the Worship Team more time to focus on learning the new song well. (Exceptions: a new song could be performed as a prelude to the service or during the offering with the objective of inspiration, and not requiring congregation participation. This can be really meaningful when the song relates to the offering or as an offering in it’s own right.)
Balance of Songs – Contemporary songs reveal the love for God that He is inspiring in our youth and other people whose relationship with God is uplifted by a contemporary expression of thoughts and Christian values. Hymns were also “contemporary songs” at one time. Many have a timeless relevance that is deeply meaningful still today. A balance of all kinds of songs, based in the Word of God, should be included to encourage every heart, of every age, to worship. (Don’t forget to consider the little children… this blesses every heart…. except the stone ones)
Song of Response – will almost always need to be a song that the entire congregation knows and can participate in that is very relevant to the message. This is a great opportunity for us all to express with our lips, the Word we have heard.
Psalms – are an excellent source of content for the Call to Worship. They can also be amazing when combined with songs and prayer.
Closing Song – is very important in helping people “exit” the current worship experience and encourage them in their walk in the world.
Team Spirit – encourage each other in Christ. Pray for each other. Share scripture or any “Word” God gives you for one another. While we aspire to improve musical skills, worshipping and reflecting the Joy of the Lord is more important – have fun!
Oh Yeah! – Respect the audio operator/s and pray for them. Like us, they are just amateurs giving it their best. It’s not always an easy job. Assist them with doing a proper sound check and include them as part of the Worship Team. The same goes for the person doing overhead projection. Be careful that the words on overhead are the same as what’s on the sheet music. Invite the audio and overhead operators to participate in the Worship Team pre-service prayer.
Consider – Satan uses temptation to alienate us from God and he uses accusation to alienate God from us (NIV introduction to Job). If you see “temptation” or “accusation” creeping in, consider the source and get help.
Worship Committee – is there to help us with anything worship related. They are also very active in selecting Liturgy and suggesting music for special services like Christmas and Easter. This takes a tremendous load off of the Worship Team Leader and gives us the opportunity to work with, get to know, and pray for these sisters and brothers.
Remember – an imperfect man writes this template. When in doubt seek every resource capable of directing you in God’s will. Prayer, God’s Word, the Pastor, Elders and Worship Committee are all a part of church structure meant to assist and protect you.