1. The playing of the organ
While the people enter the church, music is played on the
pipe organ. All seats are available to sit on; if in doubt
please ask. The adults sit in front of the pulpit at the stage
with their children. The smallest children are taken to a
crèche (a nursery). You may want to ask someone for a
Psalm book and a Bible you can use for our worship service.
These are found at the entrance of the church.
2. The consistory enters
When the organ stops playing, a number of consistory
members enter. After they are seated, one of them will
warmly welcome us at the microphone, tell us the name of
the minister preaching in the service and other
announcements are made.
3. Singing
The first song listed on the top of the Psalm board (hanging
on pillars) is now sung. Once we have sung, the minister,
the man dressed in the black gown, is taken to the pulpit by
a member of the consistory thereby signifying the authority
given to the minister to speak and to wish the minister
the blessing of God on part of the congregation.
4. Silent prayer
We now as congregation engage in a silent prayer of a few
minutes to ask God for a blessing on our worship service.
5. Votum and greetings
The minister will once in the pulpit pronounce two texts.
The first is called the votum or vow, which is a solemn
declaration that we as congregation expect everything
from God. The second text is the greeting. In these words
spoken through the minister, God Himself greets us as
congregation.
6. Singing
We express our thankfulness for worship by singing the
second Psalm on the list.
7. Declaration of God’s Law or the Creed
In the morning service, the Ten Commandments are now
read, so all of us may hear what God demands of us. Moreover,
we learn how we can love God in our lives and to
thank Him for His love to us by obeying His will.
In the afternoon service, we read at this point, the Apostles
Creed or another Creed of the Church, thereby reminding
ourselves of the heart of the Christian faith.
8. Singing
9. Prayer for the Holy Spirit
In the morning service, the Ten Commandments are now
read, so all a us We now pray that God through His Holy
Spirit will be present in us and with us in our reading of
the Bible, the listening to the sermon and by worshipping
Him. The Prayer ends with a clear “Amen”. hear what God
demands of us. Moreover, we learn how we can love God
in our lives and to thank Him for His love to us by obeying
His will.
In the afternoon service, we read at this point, the Apostles
Creed or another Creed of the Church, thereby reminding
ourselves of the heart of the Christian faith.
10. Reading of Holy Scriptures
The minister now reads more verses from the Bible. After
the reading, he will shortly announce which text from the
Bible he will use in his sermon to explain God’s message
to us.
11. Offerings
Before the sermon is delivered, we give our offerings.
While the organist plays a prelude, the deacons will
come to us to collect our offerings. There are generally
two rounds, sometimes three, as announced at the beginning
of the service. We bring thanks to God by supporting
people in need, the local church, the youth projects or any
cause we are called to support. Please note that there is no
obligation for you to contribute.
12. Singing
13. The Sermon
In our Calvinist liturgy, the sermon is the most central part
of our worship. The minister will by his choice of a text
from the Bible explain to us God’s Word and His will for
us. The aim of the preaching is to teach us and to
strengthen us in our faith. We listen intently and may
read along in the Bible and our Creeds. The minister will
conclude the sermon with a clear “Amen”.
14. Singing
15. Prayer
The main intercessory prayer is now spoken by the minister
and we as congregation join him in that. We thank God
for His message delivered from the Bible. The minister
may also pray for elements of the sermon in his prayer.
The minister goes on to commemorate joyful events in our
lives and to bring our communal gratitude before God. We
also pray earnestly for the ill and the distressed, for church
activities, for missions, and varied social matters. This
prayer ends with a clear “Amen”.
16. Singing
17. The Benediction
After the final singing, the congregation rises and the minister
bestows on behalf of God a blessing on us all. This
blessing is the promise God gives us that He will be with
us and help us.
18. The minister leaves the pulpit
A consistory member goes to the pulpit and by shaking the
hand of the minister gives him approval on his sermon and
thereby ends the liturgy. They leave our gathering.
19. End of the service
When the organ starts playing, we our leave our seats and
may stay in the building or leave.
Bron: http://sintjoriskerk-amersfoort.nl/