The Order of Service

I attend a moderately-sized PCA church called Covenant Presbyterian (CPC). Yes, a very common name, I know. I've been meaning to describe the order of worship for some time because I've come to appreciate how it is laid out and explains what is happening when the congregation gathers to worship the Lord of Heaven and Earth. What follows is how the service is laid out in the church bulletin, with some explanations.

God calls us to worship

The assembled people of God are called into the presence of the Great King with a call to worship, usually from the Psalms, followed by a song of adoration and then a prayer of invocation to ask God's blessings on the service.

God cleanses us in his Son

This involves a corporate prayer of confession, led by an elder, which we recite together, followed by silent prayers of confession to the Lord. One of the prayers of confession is as follows:

Most Merciful God, whose Son, Jesus Christ, was tempted in every way, yet was without sin, we confess before you our own sinfulness; we have hungered after that which does not satisfy; we have compromised with evil; we have doubted Your power to protect us. Forgive our lack of faith. Have mercy on our weakness. Restore in us such trust and love that we may walk in your ways and delight in doing your will. Amen.

The elder then reads an assurance of pardon from the Scriptures, after which we greet one another in the name of Christ. It isn't quite like the passing of the peace in the Anglican/Episcopal church, but is similarly structured as it follows the time of confession.

We celebrate God's creation and redemption

Here the congregation lifts its voice in song about the Lord's work in saving his people from their sins and also praising him for his work in the world, through the beauty of his creation and works of mercy. This is followed by a corporate confession of faith, which is usually the Apostle's Creed, but is sometimes the Nicene Creed, or something from the Westminster Shorter Catechism or Heidelberg Catechism. If it is from Heidelberg, it will usually be Question 1:

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation. Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him.

This is followed by the pastoral prayer where the congregation prays in agreement with the elder's words for the requests we bring before the Lord. Then the tithes and offerings are given as the congregation gives back a portion of what the Lord has freely given to us.

God consecrates us by his word

Here begins the culmination of the service as concerns the engagement of the senses, as far as my reflection on it. The Scripture reading that will be the subject of the sermon is read aloud by a member of the congregation. The sermon then expounds the text in a way that serves to warn, comfort, rebuke, and encourage us in the Lord. It runs roughly 30 minutes and engages the hearing of the word.  A song of response follows the sermon.

God's covenant is represented, sealed, and applied

Here comes the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. A duly ordained minister of the gospel, usually the pastor, explains the meaning of the Supper, that it is for people who claim the name of Christ. Therefore, one does not have to be a member of CPC to partake. God's forgiven people are welcome to the table. Prayer is then given over the elements.

Covenant is unique among PCA churches in celebrating the Lord's Supper weekly. There are many reasons why this is done. I like to think it is related to the other four senses. We have heard the word in the sermon. Now, as the bread and wine/grape juice (CPC uses both) are passed through the aisles, we have the opportunity to see the word, touch the word, smell the word, and finally to taste the word. As the Passover was a covenant meal, so Jesus presides over a covenant meal as the Lamb of God fulfilling the New Covenant.

There has been much dispute as to how Christ is present in the sacrament.  I believe it is appropriate to call it Communion because we commune with the risen Christ and each other. CPC prefers to use the Lord's Supper, because that is indeed what it is.

How is Christ present in the Supper? God's covenant is sealed and applied by the Holy Spirit. That is the wonderful mystery of the Trinity: for where the Spirit is, there is Christ also. Where Christ is, the Father is. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This follows along well with the history of redemption, as the age to come broke forth not only with Christ's resurrection, but with the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God the Father almighty, indicating his finished work, but did not leave his people alone. We live in the age of the Spirit. It is he who applies the word to our hearts and it is he who seals his covenant, giving us what was the very promise of the Scriptures, God himself. "I shall be your God and you shall be my people."

God commissions us with his blessing

Here the congregation rises to receive the benediction, or the blessing and peace of God, to go forth into the world. Usually it is a blessing straight from the Bible. Representing the unity of the covenant of God, two that are often used will suffice as examples:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Amen.