Worship in the Early Church

1 - THE OPENING
A hymn of invocation or another hymn shall be sung (Psalm 100:4).
The opening Hymn is #_____.

2 - THE INVOCATION
The minister shall say, “Let us begin our worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 18:20).
A prayer of invocation, shall follow, which in turn shall be followed by a second hymn.
We will now sing hymn. #_____

3 - THE CONFESSION OF SINS
The minister shall then say:
“At this time I would like everyone to close their eyes, bow their head, and take a few moments to confess their sins unto God. Just as the publican (in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican) confessed his sins, saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

4 - GOD’S WORD OF FORGIVENESS
After the confession of sins the minister shall say:
“God’s Word to David when he repented, and all who repent is, “The Lord hath put away thy sin”, for the Bible tells us that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness // And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:7, 9, 2Samuel 12:13).

That Word of forgiveness may be followed by a hymn of praise and glory to God.
Let us now sing hymn #_____.

5 - THE GENERAL PRAYER SHALL THEN FOLLOW (Matthew 18:19).
This is where prayer requests are taken before God. At the conclusion of the prayer the congregation shall say, “Amen” for it is their prayer.

6 - THE READING OF GOD’S WORD
The Old Testament lesson for today is found in_________.
Psalm #______ shall be read responsively.
Our Gospel lesson is taken from ____________.
The Epistle lesson is found in ____________.
(The Bible lessons may be read in unison, or read responsively.)

7 - THE CONFESSION OF FAITH
Following the reading of God’s Word the minister shall say:
Having heard the Word of God, let us confess our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed

    I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
    And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, died for our sins, and was buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

The Creed shall be followed by a hymn of faith or another hymn.
We will now sing hymn #_____.

8 - THE SERMON THEN FOLLOWS
At the close of the sermon the minister may say:
“Now may the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. AMEN” (Philippians 4:7).

9 - THE LORD’S PRAYER AND BENEDICTION
The minister shall then say: Let us all join in the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

If communion is offered, the distribution will take place at this time.
The minister shall then pronounce the benediction upon all present (Numbers 6:22-27).

The Lord bless you, and keep you:
The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. ...AMEN

ORDER OF

MORNING WORSHIP