At West Broward Community Church (the church I pastor) we have two quite different worship experiences. The first is 30-40 minutes long and starts at 8:00 a.m. The format is fairly simple: call to worship, opening prayer, a Song/Hymn, Scripture, Prayer, Meditation, prayer for the offering and benediction. It’s for folks who have to work or have other commitments and yet would like to join in worship. I started this service in January and so far our high attendance day was Feb. 1st. We had 5 people plus me! We don’t have a budget to advertise so it’s word of mouth. I have high hopes and I enjoy this simple low-key worshipful format.
But I also like our 10:00 service which lasted 90 minutes this past Sunday. We have a lot of music with a childrens lesson, a congregational sharing and prayer time, a message and this week we had an exciting report about the work of the Gideons.
These two services are as different as night and day (I even give two different messages). But they are both worship!
I grew up in the Roman Catholic church when the mass was in Latin and YES I was an altar boy. Over the years I have experienced many types of worship (including a Quaker meeting where we sat and waited for the Lord to give a word). Perhaps all this variety in styles of worship helps me to remember that true worship is not about all the component parts of the service as much as it is about the spirit and truthfulness of the worshipers.
Jesus said; "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him." Joh 4:23
P.S. Next I would like to start a worship service that appeals to young people or perhaps an online worship.
Shalom (Peace and so much more)
P.Jay
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