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United Methodist worship styles range from charismatic to
contemporary to "high church." Worship style in an evangelical
environment is to be geared around who you want to attract. Listed below
are traditional segments of the worship service in contemporary order (see
UMH pg. 3 for further explanation). The United Methodist Hymnal and the
United Methodist Book of Worship are full of good acts of praise for the
service. Some other resources I use (besides writing them myself) are
listed.
ENTRANCE
GATHERING
- informal prayer, singing, testimony
-or- quiet meditation.
INTROIT (optional) - processional music or
choruses or special music.
GREETING and / or CALL TO WORSHIP -
leader greets people; and may use:
Responsive Reading: Old UMH, The God Kind
of Faith, Scales of Rejoicing.
Scripture Sentences: the Bible.
HYMN - hymns, like all acts of praise, need to be
appropriate to the scripture text and message, if possible.
INVOCATION (OPENING PRAYER) and / or ACT OF
PRAISE
A Prayer
of invitation: UMH 329 for
instance.
Collect: a prepared, unison prayer.
Confession and Pardon
Litany: a responsive prayer: Prayers in
Dialogue
The Gloria Patri: UMH 70 or 71
A Psalm: recited or sung to a familiar tune:
see Psalter section of the UMH pg 736ff.
An Anthem: special music.
A Childrens' Sermon: simple and short for
adults.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION - (optional) a blessing
invoked upon the reading and preaching of the Word.
SCRIPTURE - two or three short readings may be
used including a psalm. One of the scriptures should be the sermon text. A
response of (spoken or sung) of the "Hallelujah," or a
responsive like: "the Word of God for the people of God,"
"Blessed be God."
SERMON - 20 - 25 minutes for an hour's service.
RESPONSE TO THE WORD - this may take one of many
forms, including:
Invitation to Discipleship - by the pastor,
lay leader, or evangelist. An appropriate hymn or chorus may be used.
The Baptismal Covenant - UMH 33 or I have
several I have written.
Reaffirmation of Faith - we often call this
"Rededication."
Reception of Members.
A Creed or Affirmation of Faith
- from the Greek credo "I believe" - there are several
creeds, each emphasize a specific doctrinal position (see UMH 880ff.).
CONCERNS AND PRAYERS - might consist of
"popcorn" petitions, breath prayers, litany, pastoral prayer
with response. Persons are invited to kneel.
CONFESSION, PARDON, AND PEACE - if not used at the
beginning, confession may be used here. The Peace consists of people
"offering signs of reconciliation and love."
OFFERING - including monetary gifts. The offering
may or may not be presented before the congregation. If it is, there may
be a hymn, a musical response like a doxology, or an anthem. Offering
plates may be passed by ushers, or, a more scriptural approach would
include gifts brought forward to the altar. I like to include a
stewardship moment, or financial needs of the congregation, or stewardship
testimonies, spoken or printed.
THANKSGIVING
HOLY COMMUNION -or- PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
- the Lord's Prayer may here be included.
SENDING FORTH
CLOSING HYMN -or- CHORUS
BENEDICTION
or BLESSING - "May
the Lord do this and that, and may you do this and that."
GOING -or- SENDING FORTH
---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---
WHO IS INVOLVED?
Out front: A Preacher, a Liturgist, a Reader, and a
Musician.
Behind: A Planner, an Usher, a Secretary.
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