March 10, 2010

John 4:23 - But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

1. What do we understand worship to be?

   Worship is an expression of gratitude and adoration and a reaction to God’s just and gracious dealing towards sin and sinners

2. What are we trying to do in worship?

   Every part of our service should be honoring and focused on the Lord: Announcements, Message, Singing, Sharing, and Communion. Each person in the congregation should find himself in a place where he can communicate with God “in Spirit and in Truth.” It is our goal as worship leaders to provide that through appropriate Scripture readings, song selections, prayers, and instructions.

3. What do we assume about worshipers and worship leaders at Lion & Lamb Church?

   People at Lion & Lamb Church come from a wide range of backgrounds—from formal “high church” traditions to casual, laid back modern movements. One constant we desire is for worshipers to come undistracted, with a clean conscience, ready to listen and respond to God.

   Worship leaders and musicians at Lion & Lamb Church are expected to lead by example and to be worshipers themselves, mature believers, competent musicians, and humble servants. In order to create a sense of community in worship, those who lead worship must regularly attend Lion & Lamb Church and be well known among the congregation.

4. What may we expect to find in worship at Lion & Lamb Church?

   The order of service at Lion & Lamb is as follows: announcements, introductory song, message, three or four worship songs, “open worship,” closing song, and benediction. Open worship is a time made available for individuals to worship God in the presence of the congregation. Once a month, the Lord’s Supper is held in place of open worship. The worship songs we sing tend to be of a contemporary style. We do not have prohibitions on the raising of hands, kneeling in the aisle, clapping, etc. We only ask that whatever is done is glorifying to God and edifying to the entire body (I Corinthians 14).

5. Who plans our worship and where may we go with ideas and suggestions?

   Shawn Schwensen is the worship coordinator and a member of the worship leader rotation. The other worship leaders are Steve Golden, Bill Billen, and Dan Billen. Eric Anderson is the technical director in charge of multi-media. Each worship leader chooses songs he will lead on a weekly basis. The call to worship and open worship readings are selected by their respective volunteer leaders. Ideas and suggestions can be shared personally with any worship leader or submitted to the Lion & Lamb website (http://www.lionandlambchurch.com) and will be taken into consideration by the worship leaders.