WORSHIP

This window in the south wall of our sanctuary portrays the discipline of worship by showing a large ornate crown rising above a base of smaller crowns. In the Book of Revelation, we are told that in worship to the King of Kings, we must cast down our own crowns at His feet.

Sunday Service

When you worship at Southminster, you will notice that every service has readings from the Bible. The Bible is God's Word to us - our guide to a meaningful, focused and eternal life.

In the Sunday bulletin we often label the various elements of the service to reflect this emphasis on God's Word:

We Gather Around God's Word

We welcome newcomers, call each other to worship, sing a song of praise, confess our sins as a congregation, greet one another, and take time to make children feel included.

We Hear God's Word

We pray for the Holy Spirit's help in understanding Scripture, read from and/or sing words from the Old and New Testaments, and listen to a message that helps us apply God's teachings to everyday life.

We Respond to God's Word

We sing again, pray for ourselves and others, offer our financial gifts, praise and thank God for all the ways we are blessed, and dedicate our lives to the work of Christ's church.

We Follow God's Word into the World

We celebrate with music, receive encouraging words of parting until we meet again, are reminded to share our faith with others, and are moved to live as Christ's disciples in the world.

Welcome Families

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs." (Luke 18:16)

Worship is one of the primary ways we learn what it means to be Christian. Children learn by worshipping with the congregation on Sunday mornings. They learn that they belong to Christ and are welcome within the Body of Christ.

We encourage families with children to:

· Attend every Sunday throughout the year. Children learn that worship is important when parents make worship a priority over other Sunday activities.

· Sit near the front of the sanctuary. Children get a better view of the Chancel and are not as easily distracted.

· Arrive in time to review the Sunday bulletin; talk about what's going to happen, point out new colors or aids to worship in the sanctuary, look for friends, and locate hymns.

· Encourage children to sing as you point out the words or hold a card under the line as you sing.

· Feel free to remove younger children's shoes so that they may stand on the pew next to you.

· Quietly whisper what will happen next. Children like to be prepared.

· On the way home, discuss the worship service with your child and affirm what they have learned, remembering their perceptions will be from a child's point of view.

Bringing children to worship helps them come to know that they are valued by God, and by God's people at church. Being sensitive to children's abilities and needs helps make worship a pleasant experience for us all.

Sacraments

A sacrament is a sacred sign or symbol that tells of a spiritual reality. Sacraments are "signs and seals of the promises of God." They show and remind us of the grace of God and that we belong to God in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

On their own, sacraments do nothing for our salvation. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that comes to us through the sacraments as we share them together as God's People. The sacraments remind us of the promises and grace of God and the covenant relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ, by faith.

The Presbyterian Church has two sacraments: Baptism and Communion.

Baptism

Baptism is an act of the Church in response to faith, whether it is the faith of members who bring their children, or the faith of persons who come to the font as adults. The symbol used in Baptism is water. It reminds us of the great flood in Genesis from which God saved humankind and all species. It symbolizes cleansing and is, above all, the expression of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is administered by a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the context of worship. It is administered only once to infants and adults with the Apostolic formula as commanded by Jesus - in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

As a congregation we administer Baptism when we receive new members who have not been baptized, and when members request it for their children. Contact the church office for more information.

Communion

The Lord's Supper involves remembering the gracious acts of God through history, which comes to final focus in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper is often referred to as Communion because it is the coming together of the body of Christ to share a special bond with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The symbols used in Communion are bread and wine (or grape juice). They represent the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross where His body was broken and His blood was shed. Jesus instituted Communion at his last Passover meal. Elders and deacons share in the administering of this sacrament when they distribute the bread and wine to the congregation.

As a congregation we celebrate the Lord's Supper the first Sunday of each month. All who have been baptized are welcome to participate, including children with guidance from their parents.

Seasons and Special Sundays of the Church Year

Advent

This season begins the Christian year, and includes four Sundays before Christmas. It is a time of anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child. (Liturgical Color: Purple or Blue)

Christmas/Nativity of Jesus Christ

Celebrated on December 25. (Liturgical Color: White)

Christmastide

12 day celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, from Christmas Eve to Epiphany, including two or three Sundays after Christmas Day. (Liturgical Color: White)

Epiphany

Observed on or near January 6th, this day commemorates the journey of the Magi to bear gifts to the infant Jesus. The journey and gifts symbolize recognition of the Christ child by the nations of the world. (Liturgical Color: White)

Baptism of the Lord

A Sunday after Epiphany, that commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River. (Liturgical Color: White)

Transfiguration of the Lord

Observed on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, this day commemorates Jesus' change of appearance with Elijah and Moses on a mountain. See Matthew 17:1-8. (Liturgical Color: White)

Ash Wednesday

The first day of Lent. Ashes are a Biblical sign of repentance and humility. The mark of ashes is an acknowledgement of our death and need for salvation. (Liturgical Color: Purple)

Lent

The season of the Christian year that includes the forty days before Easter plus the Sundays. It signifies Christ's wanderings and trials in the wilderness. It is a time of prayer, meditation, fasting and repentance ending with Easter Sunday. (Liturgical Color: Purple)

Holy Week/Maundy Thursday/Good Friday

The week of Lent before Easter Sunday which includes Maundy Thursday, a commemoration of Jesus' last supper and the washing of his disciples' feet, and Good Friday, a commemoration of Jesus' death on the cross. (Black and/or an empty chancel can be used to symbolize Good Friday)

Resurrection of the Lord / Eastertide

The season of the Christian year when the church celebrates the resurrection of Christ, beginning with Easter Sunday and ending with Pentecost. (Liturgical Color: White)

Pentecost

This Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter and it celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. (Liturgical Color: Red)

Trinity Sunday

A special Sunday which celebrates the doctrine and mystery of the Holy Trinity. We worship one God, known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Liturgical Color: White)

Christ the King

The last Sunday of the church year, celebrating the reign of Jesus over his kingdom in heaven and on earth. (Liturgical Color: White)

Ordinary Time

Any time between seasons and/or special Sundays that has no special designation. (Liturgical Color: Green)

Liturgical Colors

White Festivals of great joy of the work of the Lord

Red Festival of the Holy Spirit

Purple Seasons of penitence or preparation

Green Ordinary Time

Blue Also used during the season of Advent as an expression of Christian hope

Frequently Used Elements of Worship

The Doxology (Song of Praise)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Gloria Patri (Glory to the Father)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Apostles' Creed (Traditional)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ by his only Son our Lord; who was conceived the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Lord's Prayer

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Key Words In Worship

Sanctuary

The area set apart by the church for services of worship. The root word is Sanctus, meaning "Holy" or set apart for God's worship.

Chancel

Area in the front of the sanctuary raised by steps where the pulpit and communion table are located.

Communion Table

The communion table is in the center of the chancel and is placed there to remind us of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, even when it is not being celebrated.

Candle

The Christ Candle reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World. Jesus commands us to let the light of our faith and salvation shine before others.

Cross

Most every Christian church and institution displays a Cross. The Cross we show to the world is an empty Cross, denoting that Jesus is not dead but was raised from the dead and is our Living Lord.

It speaks vividly of the cruel death Jesus suffered on behalf of all humanity and the depth of God's love who sent Jesus to conquer humankind's worst enemy, death. As Paul says in Romans: "The wages of Sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Special Services

Marriage

Our Pastor is pleased to officiate marriage services for any couple, when either the man or the woman is a professing Christian (an active member of a Christian church). Couples are required to meet with our Pastor at least two times prior to the wedding date. Please contact the church office for details.

Service of Witness to the Resurrection

Also known as a funeral or memorial, this is a worship service that celebrates God's promise to resurrect believers from death to everlasting life. Our Pastor will lead such a service for gatherings of people that desire to hear the good news of the Gospel. A service in the church sanctuary is strongly encouraged, but not required. Please contact the church office for details.