Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Cullman, Alabama

Elements of Worship

Songs of Ascent

Believers in the Old Testament sang as they journeyed to the temple to worship. Some of these songs were called Psalms of Ascent because they were sung as they went up to Jerusalem. As we gather on the Lord's Day we are, figuratively speaking, ascending from our common lives and the busy trappings of this world to gather and worship with God's people. At Christ Covenant we begin by singing about the character of God and His attributes as the church gathers to worship.

Welcome and Fellowship

In a world of individualism we are called to be a community of faith. We warmly welcome and greet one another recognizing that we are a church family gathered together. If you are a visitor this is an opportunity for us to say, "hello," and welcome you to our fellowship. We purposely do not single out or embarrass our visitors. We are aware that visiting a new church is often intimidating. We often greet one another with the New Testament greeting, "Grace and Peace." With this we verbalize our desire that the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be extended to each person we greet.

Call to Worship

We believe God always initiates with sinners, so we begin worship with His Word, His invitation to us to gather in His name.

Songs of Praise

We are commanded through scripture to sing to the Lord. As a church we practice participatory singing. Although we have special music from time to time we believe we all have the privilege and responsibility to participate as worshippers.

Confession of Sin

In I John 1:9 the Apostle exhorts us to confess our sins (individual sins) to God. As we worship each week we exam ourselves and confess our sins to God, agreeing with Him that our sins violate the commands of His Holy word. This self-examination is for believers who need to be cleansed from the sins of daily living. We often pray written prayers of confession together. These prayers are expressions we pray as a united body.

Assurance of Pardon

Continuing in I John 1:9 the Apostle declares "If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Our Pastor reminds us of this truth during the assurance of pardon. Our Pastor is not declaring us forgiven as a priest but is declaring God's written word to us that we are forgiven through our one and only mediator Jesus Christ.

Scripture Readings

We believe that Scripture alone is our sole standard and authority for faith and life. In our services each week our Pastor reads portions of scripture from the Old and New Testament. Typically, if he is preaching through a New Testament book the reading will be from the Old and vice versa.

Intercessory Prayer Each week one of our elders leads us in a time of intercessory prayer. We pray on behalf of those in our church body, our community, nation and needs of believers and circumstances around the world.

Offering

God has blessed us spiritually and in material provision. We give of our finances not to repay God for His blessings but out of gratitude for His goodness to us. The Apostle Paul noted that even as we give to help the needs of the saints our giving is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:12).

Sermon

Just as our songs and prayers are part of worship, so also is the sermon. This is the centerpiece of our service as we listen to God speak to us through the teaching of His Word. Our Pastor typically preaches through books of the Bible. This is called Expository Preaching. He may also preach on certain themes or topics.

Confessions of Faith

During the history of the church, godly men have created verbal documents to concisely instruct and guard the orthodox teachings of the church. These Creeds, Confessions and Catechisms (questions and answers) are not inspired by God, as is the Holy Scriptures, but are worthwhile in summarizing what we believe in a concise fashion. Each week we speak or sing together one of these confessions (such as the Apostles' Creed) to reinforce the teaching that we have heard as well as to align ourselves with the orthodox teachings of the Christian church through the ages. As Presbyterians we identify with the Westminster Confession of Faith, as well as the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms. At Christ Covenant we also use the Heidelberg Catechism, which was written in Germany in 1563 and is the doctrinal confession of many Reformed churches.

Words of Institution

The phrasing "Words of Institution," refers to the words with which Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper. Our Pastor uses this time to explain and give instructions prior to our participation.

Communion

At Christ Covenant we observe communion each week. If you are a believer, have received baptism, are in good standing with this or another church and are not harboring unconfessed sins, you are invited to participate.

Benediction

The Biblical blessing with which our Pastor dismisses the congregation. He sends the Church out with the words of God declaring that He alone is able to bless and keep us.




Elements of Worship Family Worship Biblical Directives How To's *Tools Weddings	Elements of Worship Songs of Ascent Believers in the Old Testament sang as they journeyed to the temple to worship. Some of these songs were called Psalms of Ascent because they were sung as they went up to Jerusalem. As we gather on the Lord's Day we are, figuratively speaking, ascending from our common lives and the busy trappings of this world to gather and worship with God's people. At Christ Covenant we begin by singing about the character of God and His attributes as the church gathers to worship. Welcome and Fellowship In a world of individualism we are called to be a community of faith. We warmly welcome and greet one another recognizing that we are a church family gathered together. If you are a visitor this is an opportunity for us to say, "hello," and welcome you to our fellowship. We purposely do not single out or embarrass our visitors. We are aware that visiting a new church is often intimidating. We often greet one another with the New Testament greeting, "Grace and Peace." With this we verbalize our desire that the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be extended to each person we greet. Call to Worship We believe God always initiates with sinners, so we begin worship with His Word, His invitation to us to gather in His name. Songs of Praise We are commanded through scripture to sing to the Lord. As a church we practice participatory singing. Although we have special music from time to time we believe we all have the privilege and responsibility to participate as worshippers. Confession of Sin In I John 1:9 the Apostle exhorts us to confess our sins (individual sins) to God. As we worship each week we exam ourselves and confess our sins to God, agreeing with Him that our sins violate the commands of His Holy word. This self-examination is for believers who need to be cleansed from the sins of daily living. We often pray written prayers of confession together. These prayers are expressions we pray as a united body. Assurance of Pardon Continuing in I John 1:9 the Apostle declares "If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Our Pastor reminds us of this truth during the assurance of pardon. Our Pastor is not declaring us forgiven as a priest but is declaring God's written word to us that we are forgiven through our one and only mediator Jesus Christ. Scripture Readings We believe that Scripture alone is our sole standard and authority for faith and life. In our services each week our Pastor reads portions of scripture from the Old and New Testament. Typically, if he is preaching through a New Testament book the reading will be from the Old and vice versa. Intercessory Prayer Each week one of our elders leads us in a time of intercessory prayer. We pray on behalf of those in our church body, our community, nation and needs of believers and circumstances around the world. Offering God has blessed us spiritually and in material provision. We give of our finances not to repay God for His blessings but out of gratitude for His goodness to us. The Apostle Paul noted that even as we give to help the needs of the saints our giving is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:12). Sermon Just as our songs and prayers are part of worship, so also is the sermon. This is the centerpiece of our service as we listen to God speak to us through the teaching of His Word. Our Pastor typically preaches through books of the Bible. This is called Expository Preaching. He may also preach on certain themes or topics. Confessions of Faith During the history of the church, godly men have created verbal documents to concisely instruct and guard the orthodox teachings of the church. These Creeds, Confessions and Catechisms (questions and answers) are not inspired by God, as is the Holy Scriptures, but are worthwhile in summarizing what we believe in a concise fashion. Each week we speak or sing together one of these confessions (such as the Apostles' Creed) to reinforce the teaching that we have heard as well as to align ourselves with the orthodox teachings of the Christian church through the ages. As Presbyterians we identify with the Westminster Confession of Faith, as well as the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms. At Christ Covenant we also use the Heidelberg Catechism, which was written in Germany in 1563 and is the doctrinal confession of many Reformed churches. Words of Institution The phrasing "Words of Institution," refers to the words with which Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper. Our Pastor uses this time to explain and give instructions prior to our participation. Communion At Christ Covenant we observe communion each week. If you are a believer, have received baptism, are in good standing with this or another church and are not harboring unconfessed sins, you are invited to participate. Benediction The Biblical blessing with which our Pastor dismisses the congregation. He sends the Church out with the words of God declaring that He alone is able to bless and keep us. Home \| About Us \| Worship \| Ministry \| Calendar & News Sermons \| Covenant School \| Contact Us