Four Part Harmony

You’re right—I have no business writing a blog article about music. Fortunately, that’s not what this is about.

A worship service has four parts that all go together to complete the journey that the congregation travels together.

Gathering

The first part of the service is designed to bring us all together. In includes items like calls to worship, opening or congregational prayers, processional hymns or opening worship sets, entrance by acolytes with the processional cross and flame to light candles on the platform, processing in of the choir and clergy, welcomes, greetings, announcements, professions of faith, baptisms, and any other elements that help us connect to God and one another, and get our journey underway.

Proclamation

At this point the congregation turns toward the Scriptures. This segment might include an opening sermon bumper video, a musical anthem (performed for, rather than sung with, the congregation) piece that leads into the sermon, a prayer for enlightenment, Scripture readings, and the sermon.

Response

We are not just to hear the Scriptures, but to do what they say. Therefore, once the Gospel is proclaimed, there must be a time of response. This can include an altar call for people to pray at the kneeling rail, the offering including financial giving and written responses on connection cards, the sacrament of Holy Communion, prayers of thanksgiving, and offertory music.

Sending

Once we have responded to the Gospel, it is time for us to be sent into the world to live out the challenge of the Scriptures. This includes items like a recessional hymn, closing prayers, a last worship music set and “sendout,” recessing out by acolytes with the cross and flame that had been lit during the service, a recessing of the choir, and a benediction.

Keep a lookout! You’ll see all four of these segments every Sunday at Heritage, so see if you can spot the moments when we move from one to the next!