How to Lead Worship at PURC

By Rev. Michael Spotts

Each congregation has slightly different customs for how worship is to be led. Knowing these idiosyncrasies in advance can help make things run more smoothly. This guide will walk you through a morning service but the same principles apply to evening services.

Arrival

Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the service begins. It’s the easiest way to show respect and reliability. Any later and you’ll cause others to worry.

Prayer huddle

Our officers gather in the council room 10 minutes prior to the service. Please lead by example in heading there on time.

Prelude

Five minutes before each service begins, the pianist plays the prelude. This signals people to find their seats. The pastor ordinarily goes to the pulpit to make final preparations or sits in one of the chairs on stage. If you are seated, others will take their seats.

Welcome and announcements

When the prelude ends, that is the signal to up go to the pulpit. Allow the music to end completely before speaking. Ensure that all eyes are on you. Our congregation is used to a warm, informal welcome. If you say “good morning,” and pause, the people typically respond back. State your name and a bit about yourself. At minimum, identify your home church and whether you’re in/finished with seminary."

Silent reflection

I often transition by saying something like, “now, let’s take a few moments in silence to quiet our minds and prepare to receive God’s call.”

Call to worship

Rather than simply saying, “let’s rise to receive God’s call,” I usually preface it by saying, “As you’re able, I invite you to rise…” etc. I only say this at the beginning of the service, as a way to acknowledge those who would like to stand, but are unable due to age, injury, or illness.

Prayer of invocation

Simply call God to bless the service.

Triune Greeting

We have a tradition that non-ordained men keep their hands down during the blessing, absolution, and benediction.

Opening song

Usually, I say something like, “and now we’ll remain standing for our opening song, which is…” If we are singing specific verses, I always state those first: “…our opening song, which is stanzas 1, 3, and 5 of #287, ‘Come Though Fount.”

End of songs

When transitioning people to sit down, I wait until the last few moments of piano and then I mouth ‘you may be seated’ while extending both of my arms forward, gesturing for them to sit down.

God’s holy Will

I usually give a very brief preface. For example, “Now let’s take a moment to reflect on God’s holy Will, and what that means for us both as sinners, and as those who have been called in Christ to be saints…” I read the passage, apply the law and Gospel in 2-3 sentences, and move efficiently into a prayer of confession. In this prayer, we also ask for pardon, assurance, and renewal in godliness through the Holy Spirit.

Word of Assurance

Slow down and be emotionally present. You are administering grace, not trying to get to the next thing. Begin with something like, “Now hear God’s gracious words of assurance from [passage].” After reading it, declare the Gospel, “God’s Word is faithful. To all who repent of sin and unbelief, and put their faith only in Jesus Christ for salvation, receive God’s promise that your sins are forgiven. Walk therefore in newness of life.” You don’t have to be ordained to say these words; they are simply the good news.

Song of assurance

Ordinarily, we remain seated for this song. But if it is a well-known or rousing tune, sometimes we stand. In such cases, I always say, “ and now, let’s rise with the music, to sing verses…” That one little phrase helps everyone rise at the same time.

Congregational prayer

There is always a list of prayer items included in the bulletin. I don’t pray for every item on that list but usually for at least one from each category per service. This is not simply about praying but teaching the congregation what sorts of things are most worthy of prayer. Also, try to remember to pray for God‘s blessing upon the offering, since that’s next.

Offering and offertory

Following the prayer, I say, “at this time I’d like to invite the deacons forward to receive the morning/evening offering for [the General Fund / various ministries].”

Song of Preparation

“By way of preparation for the sermon, I invite you to rise with the music to sing…”

Scripture reading

I usually offer a prayer for illumination prior to reciting the main passage. After the reading, we have a responsive statement.

Sermon

Our people are used to 30–35 minute sermons. They welcome shorter ones and are mildly tolerant of ones up to 40 minutes. Beyond that, every next minute had better be the best one yet. It is not because they don’t value sermons; it’s because they value the ability to communicate efficiently and rarely experience greater benefit from preachers going long (myself included).

Song of response

Basically the same as what you have already read.

Benediction

just before the benediction I always announce what the closing song will be. “Following the benediction, we will sing Psalm 117 B, praise the Lord God all your nations. [give some breathing time as people are going to shuffle pages]. But now, by faith receive God’s blessing upon you…” As stated before, we direct non -ordained men to keep their hands down. But make sure to give the blessing with gusto since it is not yours, but God’s, and he gives it heartily.

Closing song

Just before this song comes to an end, make your way down to the foyer and get ready to shake people’s hands as they exit. It can be kind of clunky and you can’t catch everyone. But I have come to appreciate the small connections that are sometimes created through that time.

May God bless your efforts unto his kingdom!