Worship

Covenant URC is a worshipping community. Twice a Sunday we gather together for worship to hear the gospel through Scripture reading, music, prayers, preaching, and the sacraments.

What to expect

So, what should you expect the first time you visit Covenant URC?  Our service has an intentional structure designed to reflect our belief that worship is a conversation and dialogue between God and His people. These are the elements of our liturgy (Order of Worship):

Call to Worship 

The Lord officially summons us to worship Him. This call to worship comes from a Scripture passage.

Votum

This is an expression of dependence and trust upon God.

Salutation/God’s Greeting

God welcomes us in His house of worship, and greets us with His “Grace, Peace, and Mercy.”

Psalm/Hymn of Adoration 

We respond to God’s call to worship and His welcome by praising Him in song.

Reading of the Law 

God’s law functions in two ways in our worship:  as a teacher of sin that drives us to Christ and as a guide to living the thankful Christian life.

Psalm/Hymn of Confession/Thanksgiving 

In continuing acknowledgement of our failure to keep the Law, we ask for the Lord’s mercy and sing of His abundant grace and mercy.

Assurance of Pardon 

The Lord responds to our confession and penitence with the assurance that our sins are forgiven in Christ alone, wholly by grace, received by faith alone.

Congregational Prayer 

The minister petitions the Lord with the needs of the congregation and broader ministries.

Offering 

In response to God’s great mercy in Christ we give an offering to the Lord.The deacons collect two offerings for the ministries of our church and for other kingdom causes.

Scripture Reading & Sermon 

This is the center of the worship service. The sermon explains the meaning of the Bible passage and applies it to our lives. The person and work of Jesus Christ is the focal point of the sermon.

Prayer of Application 

In response to the sermon the minister prays that God would apply His Word to His people.

Psalm/Hymn of Response 

We respond with appropriate singing to the Word, emphasizing the theme of the sermon.

Doxology 

This is a song in which we celebrate the glory and supreme majesty of God, while accentuating our complete dependence on Him and His goodness to us.

Benediction 

The Lord dismisses us with His blessing. The worship service is officially over.

Preaching

The central part of our worship service is the preaching of God's Word. The architecture of our church even represents this: you will see the pulpit at front and center of the sanctuary when you walk in.

If the centrality of our worship service is preaching, the centrality of our preaching is on Jesus Christ. Our preaching concentrates on the work and worth of Jesus Christ as he is found on every page of Scripture.

Music

At Covenant URC we love to sing together. Joyful congregational singing of psalms and hymns, accompanied by organ and/or piano reflects our conviction that worship should be corporate (together), simple (in form and structure), and doxological (God-centered).

Lord's Supper

In his goodness, the Lord gives his people a "table in the wilderness" so that they may be spiritually refreshed and renewed in their Christian journey. We celebrate communion four times a year in the morning worship service.

We welcome to the table all baptized and professing Christians who have repented of their sins, trust in Christ alone for their salvation, and are accountable as members of a Christian church.