The ABC's of Worship

Worship is the most important thing we do at Central. It is the hub out of which all other ministries, groups, and activities emanate. In worship we celebrate the historic, bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and His presence in our midst through the preaching of the Word, prayers, praise, and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Our services of worship follow a flow: We begin with Adoration of who God is, move to Confession of how we have fallen short of His will, then to the assurance of our forgiveness in Christ, on to the preaching and hearing of God's Word, followed by our thankful response in prayer and offering ourselves and our resources for the service of the Kingdom.

Preaching of the Word

We believe the Bible to be the very Word of God, written. It is our supreme and infallible authority for matters of faith and lifestyle. In preaching we open ourselves to God's life-giving Word and seek to apply it to our lives. All preaching at Central is Biblical and Christ-centered - and demands a response.

Prayer

Prayer is at the heart of worship. There is a place for both formal prayers and extemporaneous prayer; for both corporate prayer, and individual petition. In worship we adore God, confess our sins, and pray for the world, the Church, and for ourselves. In prayer through the Holy Spirit we seek often, and are found by the one true God who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. Prayer is at the heart of a personal relationship with God. In the Lord's Prayer we use the word "debts" instead of "trespasses."

Confession of Sin

Since the meaning of worship is celebrating the presence of the true God and praising him for who he is and what he has done for us, we must seek to remove any obstacle to doing these things. And our sin proves to be exactly that - an obstacle. That is why near the beginning of our worship we have the opportunity as a community and as individuals to intentionally confess our sin to God, and to have our hearts purified by Christ. This opportunity takes the form of both congregational prayer as well as a time of silence when we go before our Lord to confess our sins more specifically and personally. After we have been assured of God's forgiveness in Jesus Christ we are freed to give ourselves completely to God in worship.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is the sign and symbol of inclusion in God's grace and His covenant with the Church. We baptize both adults (on profession of faith in Christ) and children (upon the faith of one or both parents) by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion (whatever is requested). Both believers and their children are included in God's covenant love. When a child is presented for Baptism, the community of faith promises to provide nurture and guidance until the child is able to make a personal profession of faith. In Baptism we participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

All baptized believers and their baptized children (upon approval by the Session) are welcome at the Lord's Table. In this meal of bread and wine we celebrate the real presence of Christ with us, remember His sorrowful death on our behalf, and anticipate the great banquet when Christ returns and brings His Kingdom to completion. Celebrated on every first Sunday of the month (and at other special occasions), Communion is received at the 8:30a service by intincture (coming forward and dipping the bread into the cup) and at the 11:00a service while remaining seated in the pews and being served by the elders.

Offering

Having prayed for the world, we put ourselves where are prayers are. In grateful response to the abundance of God's grace, we offer ourselves to be instruments of God's peace, love, and justice. As stewards we give from what God has given us, acknowledging that the world is not ours but God's. Members of Central are expected to use the tithe (10% of gross income) as the starting point in their life of financial stewardship.

Music

Music is the soul of worship. It gives us the opportunity to express our deepest thanks, our fullest praise and our innermost longing for God. We recognize music's power to feed us. It has the ability to nurture, challenge, comfort, teach, convict, strengthen, and broaden. At Central it is offered in a variety of styles, theologically based and committed to thoughtful, quality presentation. We embrace God's musical message in corporate expression or as we are led in worship by the Children's Choral Program, the Worship Team, and the Chancel Choir.

See also:

• Sermon: Committed to Worship
• Sermon: Worship: The Affair of Your Life
• Sermon: What Is Worship?
• Sermon: Worship as the Center of Church Life
• Centinel article: Core Value #3: Worship as the Center of Church Life