Reasons for a Common Order of Worship
The Combined EDC and Worship Ministries of both churches wanted to design a worship service that will glorify God and edify God’s people.
The Bible did not dictate a right or wrong liturgy, but the liturgy serves to enable orderly worship as a community.
A few key factors that were considered:
(1) our culture/tradition
(2) how people learn/grow
(3) ease/difficulty to execute.
Principles that Guided the Order of Worship
#1 Stay Connected to our Presbyterian tradition
To adopt a 3-part worship format common to Presbyterian Churches:
(1) Gathering to God
(2) Listening to God
(3) Responding to God.
#2 Make worship understandable to all people
To use common language and avoid Christian jargons as far as possible (e.g. call to worship / doxology / benediction) so that all can experience a meaningful worship service.
#3 Be Practical
For example, to keep services within 1 hour 15 mins to facilitate handover between services, and to reduce distracting movements up and down the stage.
With the aforesaid principles in mind, the worship ministry and the combined EDC agreed on the following structure:
#1 Gathering to God (25 Minutes)
Welcoming one another
An appreciation of each other’s presence.
Worshipping in Song & Confession of Sin
Songs of praise with a time for confessing our sins.
Family News
Announcements of community-related matters.
Praying as a Community
Bringing our prayers to God, led by a duty elder.
#2 Listening to God (40 mins)
Reading the Scripture
Hearing the Bible passage.
Message of the Day
A time of teaching from the Bible.
Reflecting on God’s Word
Quietly thinking about the relevance of God’s message.
Holy Communion
A remembrance of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross (on 1st Sundays).
#3 Responding to God (10 mins)
Giving to God’s Work
Collection of monetary offerings to support the church’s work.
Closing Song
Song to remember what we have learned.
Going Forth into God’s World
An encouragement to trust and serve God as we leave the church.