Second Presbyterian Church

From the Pastor's Study
June 2004

Upcoming Events

Worship Schedule

Sermons

About the Church

• Accessibility to the Church

• Directions to the Church

• History of the Church

Church Staff

Groups & Organizations

• Boy Scouts of America - Troop 175

• Choirs

• Presbyterian Women

• SPY (Second Presbyterian Youth)

Committees

• Building & Grounds

• Church Growth

• Congregational Care & Fellowship

• Education & Nurture

• Finance

• Office & Personnel

• Stewardship

• Witness & Service

• Worship & Celebration

Ad Hoc Committees

• Architectural - Engineering

• Building Fund

Presbyterian Internet Sites of Interest

Virginia Links

• Virginia Cities

Web Site Statistics

Site Map

Second Presbyterian Church Homepage

» From the Pastor's Study Homepage

Have you ever wondered why we are using the particular order of worship that we are using? We are not just placing things in our worship without thinking very carefully why we are doing so and what should come before or after. This is called the "Ordo." I think that that is just another word for "order," or the way things are ordered. What I am trying to explain is that the worship service has a certain, intentional movement, from beginning to end. In the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition the major headings of the Order of Worship are: GATHERING, THE WORD, RESPONSE TO THE WORD, THE EUCHARIST, AND THE SENDING - BLESSING.

GATHERING: the GATHERING is primarily self-explanatory. It is the time when the people come together in order to worship God. There are certain functions for GATHERING (as well as for the other parts of the Order.) It is the time to center and focus upon why we are gathered - to worship God and to offer Him our praise. It is a time to prepare to encounter God, so we sing praises and we confess sins, receive forgiveness and welcome one another.

THE WORD: this is the section in which the Scriptures are read and the sermon is preached. The Bible is the written word of God. Jesus Christ is the Word that became flesh (John 1: 14). It is at this point in the service that we are encountering God in a manner that represents God speaking to us, calling us out to grow spiritually.

RESPONSE TO THE WORD: encountering God always requires a response of faith which is usually done with the Affirmation of Faith, such as the Apostles' Creed and a hymn. Further responses to faith include our giving of our lives as represented by offering our offerings and by the Pastoral Prayer.

THE EUCHARIST: it is the Eucharist in which we encounter God through the sacrament of Holy Communion. Jesus feeds us. He feeds us with the Bread of Life - himself (John 6). Christians, since the two who walked the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), have been encountering Christ in the bread and the wine when believers gather together to break bread. It is not just a repeated memorial service; it is a celebration of the death and resurrection of our living Lord.

THE SENDING: we gather; we worship; we respond; we celebrate; then we scatter again. It is the intention that we scatter with renewed strength by our experience of God. It is the intention of the sending that we go forth to service in the name of the Lord.

That is why worship is so important to me. We come for spiritual renewal, spiritual feeding. We leave strengthened to be faithful disciples in a world broken, hurting, awash with evil. Unfortunately, worship is not always "entertainment," (an American idol - pardon the pun). I can say this: it is my intention as your pastor to do whatever I can to provide the opportunity in worship for you to experience our loving Lord! It is my hope and prayer that that is exactly what happens.

Grace and Peace,
The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.
Designated Pastor