The Joy of Worshiping Together in His Presence
With recent changes to our Sunday mornings, I wanted to share some truths of God’s word that have informed the purpose and order of our gathered worship. What happens when we meet together? Why do we sing? What is liturgy? How do we worship? What about the Lord’s Supper? My hope is that you are encouraged to worship with fresh joy and expectancy when we gather together as the people of God!
In God’s Presence
Our hope every Sunday at Redeemer Church is to meet together with our crucified and resurrected Lord. We long to witness His transformative power at work throughout our church., "We make it our aim to please Him," (2 Cor. 5:9) eager and expectant that He will be pleased to dwell among us.
God’s desire has always been to dwell among His people—first in the garden, then in the tabernacle and temple, through Jesus, and now through the Holy Spirit. Believers individually are temples of the Holy Spirit, called to live in ways that honor God’s presence within them. The church, as God’s gathered people, is His dwelling place, united by the Spirit.
Isaiah 61 illustrates the impact of God's Spirit among us:
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
In Order
Throughout scripture, we see that approaching God’s presence has always required reverence and order. From the detailed instructions given for the Tent of Meeting to the glory and majesty of Solomon’s temple, God's commands regarding worship reflect His holiness and our need for sanctity. Any deviation from His prescribed ways is always taken seriously.
Exodus 25-30 – In these chapters, God gives Moses specific instructions for the tabernacle, priestly garments, and offerings.
Psalm 24:3-4
"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully."
Although we have been set free from the works of the law and requirements for temple worship by the finished work of Jesus, God still desires a people that worship with purity and reverence. Though the veil has been torn, God is still Holy, Holy, Holy.
1 Corinthians 11-14 - In these chapters, Paul gives the Corinthian church specific instructions for traditions, the Lord’s supper, the use of spiritual gifts, and orderly worship.
John 4:23-24
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Following God’s directive for orderly worship, we order our Sunday worship gatherings with liturgy. Liturgy traditionally involves a set of prescribed prayers, readings, songs, and sacraments that guide the congregation in worshiping God. The rhythms of liturgy are both formative and experiential, allowing everyone to actively engage in the worship process. While our prayers and praises may arise from personal circumstances, we are united in our supplication and worship as we pray and sing the same words together.
Welcome
Brings us out from the world into a gathering place for God’s people.
Announcements
How are we being the people of God throughout the week?
Call to Worship
Psalm 122:1 - I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Prayers of Adoration and Faith
Focuses our minds on God's greatness, humbly confessing our shared faith, allowing us to approach God sincerely.
Songs of Adoration and Faith
Proclamation of God’s faithfulness and promises in unison.
Offering
Sacrificial giving to God; setting apart our best resources as worship to God.
Communion
Remembrance of Christ’s work, and assurance of our pardon.
Songs of Thanksgiving and Praise
Praising God for the work of Jesus Christ.
Reading of Scripture
Nehemiah 8:5 - And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.
Teaching of Scripture
1 Timothy 4:13 - Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
Prayer of Response
Calls us to obedience to God’s word, empowered by His Spirit.
Songs of Response
Invites us to respond in unity to what God is doing in our lives, church, city, world.
Benedition & Commissioning
Sends us back into the world as God’s people.
We desire our Sunday morning worship (and our time as Gospel Communities) to be orderly, focused on building up the church, and free from confusion. These habitual practices inform our worship and shape our devotion to God, as individuals and as the church. We hope the repetition of our gathered time praying, singing, reading of the word, and responding leads you to a life of deeper discipleship with Jesus. We pray that these rhythms make their way into your homes every week; that you would worship with similar reverence and devotion.
In Christ
In our ordered worship, we acknowledge that being in the presence of God has a requirement. That requirement is righteousness. Righteousness is received by faith. Our faith is in the work of Jesus, who “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Romans 4:25
Hebrews 10:19-22
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Because of this truth, we have recently moved our time of Communion to earlier in our service. We enter into God’s presence by the flesh of Jesus. We do so with confidence in the blood of Jesus. Let us not form the habit of waiting for our emotions or thoughts to be in line before being able to remember what Jesus has already done. We have union with Jesus because of Jesus. We have access to God because of Jesus. This reconciliation is what enables us to worship freely and joyfully, knowing that our sins are forgiven and our lives are transformed.
Eat of His body, and know your sinful flesh was crucified with Him on that cross.
Drink of His blood and know your sins are forgiven.
Hebrews 4:16
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Ephesians 2:13
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
Jesus has made you clean. Jesus has given you a new life and a new heart. God has given you His Holy Spirit. God has made you part of His family. This is who you are. Remember this as you worship. Be assured of this while the word is read and taught.
Our worship is centered there at the Lord’s table. Together we enter into His gates, sit down at the banquet tables in the throne room, and receive nourishment, all thanks to the work of Jesus.
In Body, Soul, and Spirit
Scripture teaches us what worship looks like. We are called to worship God in thought and affection, with movement, music, and in the spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:15
"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also."
Psalm 63:4
"So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name, I will lift up my hands."
Psalm 119:10
"With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!"
Romans 12:1
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Physical worship engages our bodies with God’s presence. Standing, kneeling, lifting hands, clapping, and dancing are ways that the people of God have always responded in worship.
Mental and emotional engagement is part of true worship. We can focus our minds by praying out loud, with coherent thoughts. We can engage our minds by picturing God himself, and looking to Him. We can focus our heart by showing Jesus affection. Say or sing out loud, “thank you, Jesus,” or “I love you Lord,” or “Jesus, you are beautiful.”
Spiritual communion is crucial for our gathered worship. When we fellowship with one another and the Holy Spirit, it is then that we are able to pray and worship in one accord: in submission to God’s presence and in unity with one another.
These parts all work together. For me, sometimes lifting my hands helps my thoughts and feelings focus on Christ. Sometimes kneeling down is a response to experiencing communion with God’s spirit. Sometimes repeating a prayer reminds me of the truth. Sometimes repeating a phrase is a celebration of an answered prayer. As we worship, we are consecrated (set apart) for God. This means we sacrifice our own preferences and expectations.
We can use our body, soul, and spirit in every part of worship, not just singing! How do you position your body when you pray? What thoughts occupy your mind as the Word is preached? Are you seeking spiritual nourishment, or are you merely absorbing information?
Our worship is not limited to the singing of songs; it permeates every part of our corporate gathering, together, as we worship in unity and sincerity. Let us strive to be fully present in God’s presence, offering our bodies, souls, and spirits as living sacrifices to Him.
In Unity
Different from our personal devotional time with Jesus, corporate worship invites God’s presence in a special way as seen in scripture.
Matthew 18:18-20
“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Jesus emphasizes the power of united prayer, promising that when believers agree in prayer, God responds. He assures us that He is present wherever two or three gather in His name. As we worship, we do so knowing that our unity has divine support and authority, and our prayers, offered with faith and agreement, have power before God.
2 Chronicles 5:13-14
"And it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
When we worship with one heart and mind, focused on God's goodness, it can create an environment where God’s presence is tangibly felt. It’s a reminder that God delights in the praises of His people and that true, unified worship can lead to profound encounters with Him.
John 17:20-23
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
Our love and oneness as followers of Christ display God’s love to those outside the faith, helping them recognize that Jesus was truly sent by God. Jesus says that the glory given to Him by the Father has also been given to believers, which implies a sharing in God’s divine presence and character. It reminds us that our worship should embody this unity, our divine purpose: reflecting God’s glory and love to each other and the world.
Acts 4:31
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
These believers were gathered in prayer, united in their request for God’s help and strength. This act of corporate prayer set the stage for a powerful encounter with God’s presence. The physical shaking of the place where they gathered symbolizes the intensity of God’s presence and His response to their prayers. It’s a vivid reminder that God is not distant; He responds to the fervent, faithful prayers of His people.
Romans 15:5-6
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Our harmony and unity in Christ allow us to worship "with one voice," giving God the glory He deserves. When we gather, we should seek to set aside personal differences, focusing instead on our shared purpose of exalting God. This unity also serves as a testimony of God’s love, encouraging one another and fostering a community that reflects His grace and peace.
As we come together in pursuit of Jesus, we do so not just as individuals, but as a family united in Christ. We have the privilege of meeting with our Lord collectively. May we be united by His love, transformed by His grace, and empowered by His Spirit to live out the Gospel in every area of our lives.
In Love
I share these thoughts not to impose a specific style of worship upon you, but to encourage each of you to engage with God with all that you are. Come as you are—excited to be in His presence and eager to hear His Word. Come with anticipation, ready to witness the miraculous works of God among us.
We desire our Sunday gatherings to be more than ritual; we want to embody the true life found in Christ, creating space for His presence to dwell powerfully among us. As we come together, expectant and immersed in His love, we long to experience the complete and authentic joy of worshiping our God.
Worshiping our Creator is life-giving and transformative! Let us seek to experience this joy together as a united family in Christ.
Psalm 95:6-7 calls us to action:
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.”
In Christ,
Olivia
