A ‘Worship Service’ Guide

A ‘WORSHIP SERVICE’ GUIDE FOR LEADING PRIVATE DEVOTIONS, FAMILY GATHERINGS AND CHURCH MEETINGS.

Please refer to one of the Worship Services archived under the Category, “Worship Services” (see side menu).

1. The proceedings of the worship service should be conducted by one person.

If it is a family gathering, then the head of home (Father or Mother) should assume the leadership. If it is a church gathering, then the Pastor, Deacon or an elder should assume the oversight. If it is a gathering with friends (peers), then one of these persons should take the lead. It is the responsibility of the leader to maintain order and discipline during the meeting. This important position should not be delegated to a person on the basis of his/her musical ability. Just because someone has a good voice or can play an instrument does not qualify him/her to lead a worship service.

2. The leader should set a time for the worship service, making it known to all who will be attending.

The leader should ensure the worship room is clean and clear of anything that might distract. The leader should give a five minute notice before the service begins. At the scheduled time, the leader should start by calling the group to worship.

3. Children of all ages should be attending the family and/or church gathering.

It is the responsibility of the parents to train their children how to be respectful and attentive during a worship service. The leader should ensure all toys and devices are put out of sight. It sends the wrong message to young children if they are allowed to play during a worship service. The leader (and group) should exercise patience and gentleness if some of the children are a little disruptive. In certain circumstances, one of the parents may need to take the child out of the room until discipline of the child is regained.

4. Here is an example on how the proceedings should go:

A CALL TO WORSHIP
“Let us worship almighty God, by standing together and singing our opening hymn-‘Name of the Hymn’.”

SING OPENING HYMN
Read the statement after the opening hymn, under ‘A Call To Worship’.
“Let us stand together as we sing our first hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”

SING FIRST HYMN
“You may be seated. Let us continue to worship the Lord by hearing what He has to say to us from the Holy Scriptures. Please turn in your Bible to the (Scripture Text) and I will read from the opening verse.” The Scripture should be read by the family or church leader.

READ THE SCRIPTURE
“And may the Lord add a double blessing upon the reading of His Word. Let us now come before the Lord in prayer.” Although the opening prayer may be delegated to someone else in the group, it is a good policy for the family or church leader to assume this responsibility.

THE OPENING PRAYER
“Let us stand together and continue to worship the Lord by singing our second hymn—‘Name of the Hymn.’”

SING SECOND HYMN
“You may be seated.” Read the statement under “Testimonies”.

SHARE TESTIMONIES
“Let us stand together and continue to worship the Lord by singing our third hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”

SING THIRD HYMN
“You may be seated. We will now come under the teachings of God’s Word. Let us be attentive to the gospel minister. He has prepared food for our souls. May it please the Lord to edify us in the gospel.”

WATCH THE SERMON
“Let us stand together and continue to worship the Lord by singing our fourth hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”

SING FOURTH HYMN
“You may be seated. Let us close our meeting in prayer.” It is a good policy to delegate this responsibility to another leader in the group. For instance, if the father is leading the family worship, then he may ask the mother to close in prayer; or, if the Pastor is leading the church worship, then he may ask a Deacon or an elder to close in prayer.

LEAD IN THE CLOSING PRAYER
“Before we are dismissed, let us stand together once more and sing a final hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”

SING CLOSING HYMN

READ THE BENEDICTION