We gather twice a Sunday in our church building to worship God in a manner acceptable to Him. We do this plainly and simply because God’s word tells us to do so.
We sing together to the praise of God. We pray to Him, casting our anxieties upon Him, knowing that He cares for us. We listen to what He says to us in his Word, the Bible. We hear a sermon which explains God’s will for our lives. The sermons are understandable, challenging, and practical.
We desire to live according to God’s commandments, which are read to us at the beginning of each morning service. Jesus taught us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. He also gave us a second commandment: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40.
We confess our faith by singing together the twelve articles of faith – the Apostles’ Creed – at the beginning of each afternoon service.
To support the preaching, the church has two sacraments:
Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Holy Baptism is administered to the newborn infants of believing parents, and to new believers who have come to profession of faith and have not been previously baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Book of Praise, page 584)
Once every two months we celebrate the LORD’s Supper. The confessing members of the church and visitors with an attestation from a sister church are admitted to this celebration. The LORD Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. He commanded that we use the LORD’s Supper in remembrance of his great sacrifice in our place. By this sacrament we receive assurance of our faith. In it we proclaim the LORD’s death until He comes. (Book of Praise, page 594)
The church has three types of offices. The minister preaches the word and teaches. He administers the sacraments, and visits those in need to assist and to encourage them. The elders make certain that the preaching is sound, that the sacraments are properly administered, and that families and individuals conduct themselves properly in doctrine and in life, according to the gospel. The minister and the elders together form the Consistory, which ensures that all things in the church are conducted decently and in good order. The deacons see to it that the love of Christ is displayed so that no one lives uncomforted under the pressure of sickness, loneliness, and poverty. Together, the elders and the deacons form the Council, which provides direction and supervision for the church’s affairs. The Council also make sure that accurate financial records are kept and that full reports are regularly made to the congregation.
Order of the Morning Service (10:00 AM) | Order of the Afternoon Service (2:30 PM) |
Welcome and Announcements | Welcome and Announcements |
Call to Worship | Call to Worship |
Confession of Dependence (Votum) | Confession of Dependence |
The Lord’s Greeting | The Lord’s Greeting |
Opening Song of Praise | Opening Sing of Praise |
The Ten Words of the Covenant | Profession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed |
Song of Response | Prayer for Illumination |
Prayer | Scripture Reading |
Scripture Reading | Song of Preparation |
Song of Preparation | Text and Ministry of the Word |
Text and Ministry of the Word | Song of Response |
Song of Response | Prayer of Thanksgiving |
Thanksgiving Prayer | Offering |
Offering | Closing Song |
Closing Song
|
The Lord’s Blessing (Benediction) |
The Lord’s Blessing (Benediction) |
When you come to worship with us…
You may find our worship services formal. We are convinced that a worship service is not a meeting between a number of people, but between God and His people. Reverence and respect are fitting as we worship in the presence of God.
You may wonder why the ten commandments are read. While the Old Testament law has been fulfilled with the coming of Jesus, these commandments are still valid as a guide for our lives.
You many wonder why there are children present during the worship service. The promises of God also extend to our children. They belong to His covenant people and should, with their family, assemble for worship.
You may wonder about the sermon. The Scriptures teach us that our faith comes from, and is strengthened by, the preaching of God’s Word (Romans 10:14-17). The opening of Scriptures is therefore central in the worship service. We are enriched and challenged to live for His praise and glory.