Our worship services follow a liturgy (order) that is borrowed from the structure of the Tabernacle and Temple and includes elements from traditional Jewish and Christian prayers and worship. Each section of the service includes Scripture reading, prayer, and music combining each of these to express the theme of that section of the liturgy.

The service involves the members of the congregation in Scripture readings, prayers, offerings, and singing so that each person actually participates in worship rather than watching others and singing along. Most of the congregation participate by leading in these readings, prayers, and songs as they learn to approach God in worship.

Call to Worship

The service starts with the Call to Worship. This involves a Scripture reading about who God is. It is followed by a Prayer of Adoration and Acknowledgment of God and then ends with a hymn or song that reflects the Scripture that was read. 

Presentation of Selves and Offerings

The second part of the service is the Presentation of Selves and Offerings. We open the Ark during this time as a reminder of the access to God given to us through Jesus the Messiah. This is our invitation. Many congregations have the invitation at the end of the service where it represents a decision that has been made as a result of the service. We come prepared to commit ourselves, our vows and our offerings to the Lord. It also includes a Scripture reading, a statement of faith, a committal prayer and appropriate singing.

Call to Prayer

The third section of the service is the Prayer time. After a Scripture reading as the call to prayer, the members pray silently for our needs, and those of others. Members may move to other locations in the room to pray together or to pray with someone. A person gives our collective prayer after the silent prayer period and we sing an appropriate response to close out the time of prayer.

Call to Praise

The fourth section is Praise and Adoration. We have entered His presence, committed ourselves to our God, and unburdened our hearts through prayer. What better time to praise Him with thanksgiving. A Scripture of Praise is read. We give testimonies of God’s goodness in our life. Than we sing a hymns of praise in thanksgiving.

Call to Hear and Do the Word

Before the sermon starts, the Torah scroll and the Gospel codex are removed from the Ark and processionally taken across the sanctuary to be set beneath the cross. The children are dismissed to their classes at this point and then the Teaching of the Word of God is given. This sermon is for disciples.  This is not a presentation of the Gospel. The people in this service are believers and are here to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. They hope to learn the Word and leave to become doers of that Word. The messages are based on the Bible and are usually expository examinations of the Biblical texts book by book.

Closing of Ark and Benediction

The service ends with the Torah and Gospel being put back into the ark, which is followed by the Closing of the Ark, and the singing of God’s Blessing on the congregation. The family has met with the Father. We have come to Him through His Son and worshiped Him in Spirit and Truth. We are at peace with God and each other. Continue reading through the “Visitor’s Guide”.