Worship Order

First Christian Church
Pastor                             Dr. Wes Morgan
Youth Pastor               Rachel Threadgill
Ministers          Every member of the congregation

September 19, 2004                                                                   10:45 a.m.

The Community Gathers for Praise

Chimes  A musical “Call to Attention” – The Community of Faith is now gathering to Praise God!

Moment of Fellowship  Because we are a Community of Faith we welcome all worshippers and share news of the community.  We also celebrate significant days in the lives of our people.

Prelude  An introductory piece preceding and introducing the theme of a more important movement.

Introit  A hymn or psalm sung as a musical Call To worship.

*The Hymn of Praise  A Hymn of Praise sung in response to The Introit..

*CALL TO WORSHIP  The Congregation is verbally invited to Worship God and responds to that invitation.

*Invocation (unison)  A prayer used in invoking God’s Presence and reminding the worshippers that we are in the Presence of the Holy One.

Gloria Patri   A response sung to celebrate the Presence of God.

Children’s Moment   The Children’s Moment is an opportunity for the children of the community to be instructed in the theme (lesson) for the day.

Congregational Hymn    A hymn sung to give voice to the thoughts and feelings of the community and reinforce the theme for the day.  This hymn also prepares the community to pray together.

New Prayer Concerns  This is the opportunity for the community to share concerns and praises. This is also an invitation to prayer.

Morning Prayer  The person (usually the Pastor) leads the congregation in talking to and listening to God.

Lord’s Prayer  The community joins in praying the prayer that Jesus taught his Disciples.

Choral Response   The Choir (and the people) sings a response and “Amen” to the prayers.

The Service of Giving and Sharing   The offerings, tithes and gifts of the people are received as a part of their grateful response to the gifts with which God has blessed them.

Offertory Music

Doxology  The community sings a joyful response to sharing in God’s plan of receiving and sharing the gifts of life.  A prayer of thanksgiving and dedication is also offered.

Holy Communion   The highpoint of Christian Worship.  The people of God remember and celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts of and Presence of Christ.

Communion Hymn   A Hymn of Praise sung in preparation for joining in the Feast of remembrance and Celebration.

Communion Meditation and the Words of Institution.  A statement of the theme for the day as related to our participation in Communion.

Elder’s Prayer

Holy Communion  We practice an “open Communion” – everyone who accepts Jesus as his/her Savior is invited to eat the Bread and drink the Cup and remember Jesus.

Communion Music                

The Anthem     The choir offers a musical praise to God that underscores the lesson and the themes for the day.

The Scripture     One or more Lessons Fro Scripture are read for our instruction and thinking.

The Message  The speaker for the day leads our thinking in connecting the Lessons From Scripture to our daily living.

Special Music    Some times special music also leads our thinking in connecting the Lessons From Scripture to our daily

Hymn of Invitation and Commitment  Every week we invite people to accept Jesus as their Savior by making their confession of Faith.  We also invite people to join the community of faith by transferring their membership from another.   We also accept Associate Members.

 (Those who wish to become members are invited to come forward during this hymn.)
(Please remain in your pew until the Acolytes have reached the Narthex.) 

*Benediction  The Benediction is a short prayer/statement inviting people to take the Good News to others, and reminding them of God’s continuing Presence in their lives.

*Benediction Response  The choir and the congregation sing their response to the worship and the Benediction.