Liturgy
Every Sunday WPC gathers as one church in worship, each component with a distinct style. From the language and symbols we use to the music, every component serves a purpose. Sometimes it's easy to "go through the motions" without talking through why we do what we do (worship service liturgy.
The following is a short description of what we typically include on Sunday morning. In one form or another, whether it is written into the bulletin or not, both services include these components.
Prelude: The prelude exists to provide a time to calm our hearts and prepare for worship.
Welcome: The welcome serves to call us together as a corporate body and to explain to guests who we are as a community.
Prayer of Invocation (occasional): Sometimes, instead of a formal Call to Worship a prayer will be said. A Prayer of Invocation exists to "invoke" God's blessing on our time of worship. It reminds us that we are in God's presence.
Call to Worship: The Call to Worship is typically done in word (call/response or in unison) or in song. In some ways, it's similar to the Prayer of Invocation. Its intent is to call us to focus our attention on God.
Prayer of Confession or Affirmation of Faith: The Prayer of Confession exists to remind us that (1) we're all broken and (2) we are completely dependent on God's grace. It's a time to confess both our personal sin and our corporate shortcomings. Most importantly, as an assurance of pardon is shared, the Gospel is proclaimed and forgiveness is declared in the name of Jesus Christ. When we recite an Affirmation of Faith, we're claiming a particular truth about who and what we believe about God.
Passing the Peace: "Peace be with you" is a greeting that Jesus himself used. When we pass the peace of Christ to one another, we let down our guard and wish complete well-being to one another.
Scripture Reading(s): God's Word is central to our worship together. Our denomination puts it this way, "The people are called to worship God. Words of Scripture are spoken or sung to proclaim who God is and what God has done" (BOO W-3.301a).
Music (Hymns and other): Music is used (whether instrumental or vocal, traditional or contemporary) to respond to the proclamation of God's word, as prayer, as a call to action and as an offering. Musicians (both vocalists and those who play instruments) use their gifts to lead us weekly.
Sermon/Word of God Proclaimed: Preaching is "a proclamation of Scripture in the conviction that through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is present in the gathered people, offering grace and calling for obedience (BOO W-2.2007)."
Celebration of the Lord's Supper/Communion: When we gather for communion around the Lord's Table, we join together with churches from different times and different cultures, remembering who Christ is and celebrating what God is doing in our midst.
Offering/Offertory: Tithes, offerings, and gifts are received as an act of worship that will extend beyond the worship service, and beyond the walls of WPC. With our offering we express thanksgiving to God and commit to be good stewards with what we have been given.
Doxology and Gloria Patri: The word "Doxology" literally translates as "word of glory." There are many "doxologies" in Scripture and sung throughout the church. We typically sing one of the most common doxologies in the Reformed tradition. It was written in 1674 by Thomas Ken and was included in a work of hymns that he encouraged people to sing every day. The Gloria Patri is another version of a doxology, also originally intended to be sung in everyday life. Historically it's referred to as a "Minor Doxology."
Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer: During this prayer we come together as a church community to thank God for what God has done, to lift up the needs in our communities and in the world, and to approach God with the longings of our heart. We end with the Lord's Prayer, remembering the words that Jesus prayed, and asking for God's will to be done in our lives.
Life Together: There's a lot going on in our church! This time isn't isn't set aside just for announcements or as "an advertisement." The hope is that we would all be aware of the opportunities to plug into the WPC community.
Benediction: With the benediction we are charged to "take what we heard" during the service and carry it with us into the week. The Benediction reminds us that we're not alone, that God goes before us, is with us, and that we have a community walking with us.
Postlude: The postlude concludes our worship service. It serves as a musical offering matching the mood of the service, and is intended to inspire us to take the Sunday worship experience with us as we go.
Prelude: The prelude exists to provide a time to calm our hearts and prepare for worship.
Welcome: The welcome serves to call us together as a corporate body and to explain to guests who we are as a community.
Prayer of Invocation (occasional): Sometimes, instead of a formal Call to Worship a prayer will be said. A Prayer of Invocation exists to "invoke" God's blessing on our time of worship. It reminds us that we are in God's presence.
Call to Worship: The Call to Worship is typically done in word (call/response or in unison) or in song. In some ways, it's similar to the Prayer of Invocation. Its intent is to call us to focus our attention on God.
Prayer of Confession or Affirmation of Faith: The Prayer of Confession exists to remind us that (1) we're all broken and (2) we are completely dependent on God's grace. It's a time to confess both our personal sin and our corporate shortcomings. Most importantly, as an assurance of pardon is shared, the Gospel is proclaimed and forgiveness is declared in the name of Jesus Christ. When we recite an Affirmation of Faith, we're claiming a particular truth about who and what we believe about God.
Passing the Peace: "Peace be with you" is a greeting that Jesus himself used. When we pass the peace of Christ to one another, we let down our guard and wish complete well-being to one another.
Scripture Reading(s): God's Word is central to our worship together. Our denomination puts it this way, "The people are called to worship God. Words of Scripture are spoken or sung to proclaim who God is and what God has done" (BOO W-3.301a).
Music (Hymns and other): Music is used (whether instrumental or vocal, traditional or contemporary) to respond to the proclamation of God's word, as prayer, as a call to action and as an offering. Musicians (both vocalists and those who play instruments) use their gifts to lead us weekly.
Sermon/Word of God Proclaimed: Preaching is "a proclamation of Scripture in the conviction that through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is present in the gathered people, offering grace and calling for obedience (BOO W-2.2007)."
Celebration of the Lord's Supper/Communion: When we gather for communion around the Lord's Table, we join together with churches from different times and different cultures, remembering who Christ is and celebrating what God is doing in our midst.
Offering/Offertory: Tithes, offerings, and gifts are received as an act of worship that will extend beyond the worship service, and beyond the walls of WPC. With our offering we express thanksgiving to God and commit to be good stewards with what we have been given.
Doxology and Gloria Patri: The word "Doxology" literally translates as "word of glory." There are many "doxologies" in Scripture and sung throughout the church. We typically sing one of the most common doxologies in the Reformed tradition. It was written in 1674 by Thomas Ken and was included in a work of hymns that he encouraged people to sing every day. The Gloria Patri is another version of a doxology, also originally intended to be sung in everyday life. Historically it's referred to as a "Minor Doxology."
Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer: During this prayer we come together as a church community to thank God for what God has done, to lift up the needs in our communities and in the world, and to approach God with the longings of our heart. We end with the Lord's Prayer, remembering the words that Jesus prayed, and asking for God's will to be done in our lives.
Life Together: There's a lot going on in our church! This time isn't isn't set aside just for announcements or as "an advertisement." The hope is that we would all be aware of the opportunities to plug into the WPC community.
Benediction: With the benediction we are charged to "take what we heard" during the service and carry it with us into the week. The Benediction reminds us that we're not alone, that God goes before us, is with us, and that we have a community walking with us.
Postlude: The postlude concludes our worship service. It serves as a musical offering matching the mood of the service, and is intended to inspire us to take the Sunday worship experience with us as we go.
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Westminster Presbyterian Church
32111 Watergate Road Westlake Village, CA 91361 p: 818-889-1491 f: 818-889-7132 [email protected] Worship Schedule 10:00am - Sundays |