Question 1

What is liturgical worship?

Accepted Answer

The aim of liturgical worship is to make Christ's saving work the center of our time together each week. There are some parts of the service that are very similar from week to week. This ensures that the central truths of our Christian faith are proclaimed at every service. These truths are what strengthen our faith. Other parts of the service change every week. Liturgical worship follows a calendar made up of seasons and festivals that cover the entire life of Christ each year. Finally, liturgical worship is designed to enable people to participate in praising God and proclaiming the gospel. When you join us for worship, you'll notice that people aren't passive observers but are actively involved in reminding one another of God's love.

Question 2

Parts of the Service

Accepted Answer

Our worship follows a variety of formats and incorporates a variety of musical styles. At the same time, certain key elements are found in just about every service.

Invocation
Every service begins "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," the same words that were spoken at Christian baptism. These words remind us that, through baptism, we are God's children and can enter his presence as boldly and confidently as children approach a loving father.

Confession and Absolution
Even though God has made us his children, we still fall into sin each and every day. Therefore, when we come into God's presence, we start by humbly confessing our sins and then gladly hearing the announcement that, through Jesus, each one of them is forgiven. Each service starts out with this wonderful, comforting news.

Song of Praise
Following the announcement of forgiveness, we burst into joyful song, praising God for his love and proclaiming the wonderful things he has done for us through Christ.

Lessons
Each service usually includes the reading of three lessons from the Bible. Typically one of them comes from the Old Testament, one comes from a New Testament epistle (letter) and one comes from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). Through his word, the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith and we grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon
Each week one of the pastors preaches a message based on one of the three lessons. The sermon is an opportunity for him to explain what God's Word means and how it applies to the lives of believers.

Confession of Faith
The basic truths of the Christian faith are summarized in creeds, statements of what we believe. The worldwide Christian church has been confessing the two creeds we use, the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, for almost two thousand years.

Prayers 
Brothers and sisters united by faith pray for the joys and challenges that we share. These prayers are followed by the Lord's Prayer.

Holy Communion
Before he left this earth, Jesus instituted a special meal for his Church that we refer to as the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion. In it, he offers us his own body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins and for the strengthening of our faith. At Emmanuel, Holy Communion is offered on the second, fourth, and fifth Sundays of each month. We would love to speak with you more about preparing to receive this special meal with us.

Benediction
The last words that we hear before we leave are the words of God's blessing that have been spoken over God's people since the days of Aaron the High Priest, more than 3,500 years ago. We leave God's house assured of his love.

Question 3

Seasons of the Church Year

Accepted Answer

Each year we cover the most important events and teachings of Christ by following the Christian calendar.

Advent
The word advent means "coming." During this first season of the church year, we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ's first coming at Christmas and his second coming on the last day.

Christmas
At Christmas, we celebrate the fact that God's Son took on human flesh and came to this world to save us.

Epiphany
The word epiphany means "appearing." During Epiphany we remember how Jesus, the baby born in a manger, was clearly revealed to the world as the Son of God and Savior of all mankind.

Lent
During Lent we solemnly remember Christ's suffering and death, and our sins that made those things necessary. While Lent is more of a somber season, it is still a joyful one. Through Christ's suffering and death, our sins have been paid for.

Easter
During Easter, we celebrate Christ's victory over death and the devil. His resurrection from the dead proves that our sins are forgiven and that we, too, will rise from the dead.

Pentecost
Pentecost was the day 50 days after Easter when God poured out the Holy Spirit on his Church. On the day of Pentecost we remember that important day. In the season that follows, we cover the important teachings of the Bible through which the Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts and brings about change in our lives.

What to
Expect at
Worship

At Emmanuel, we gather for worship to hear the gospel, that is, the good news of what Jesus Christ our Savior has done for us.

About
Liturgical
Worship

The aim of liturgical worship is to make Christ's saving work the center of our time together each week.

What to Expect at Worship

At Emmanuel, we gather for worship to hear the gospel, that is, the good news of what Jesus Christ our Savior has done for us.

About Liturgical Worship

The aim of liturgical worship is to make Christ's saving work the center of our time together each week.

What to
Expect at
Worship

About
Liturgical
Worship