Christ Presbyterian Church

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"All the heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples behold his glory." -Psalm 97:6

What is Worship at CPC?

The first question in the Westminister catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." Worship is about us joyfully ascribing all praise, honor, glory and power to the one true God.

We are to Behold the majesty and wonder of our Lord and Savior. We are to hold onto how God has revealed himself to us and what he has accomplished for us. We are called to Be in community with other believers and with God. The people of God respond together in community with words and deeds or praise and thanksgiving. Worship is both individual and a community experience.

The Order of Worship

Christians should worship all the time, for all time has been hallowed by God. God set aside one day in seven to be kept holy to the Lord. At CPC we believe there is freedom in our worship as long as it is done in Spirit and in Truth. However, we also hold onto the historical four-fold pattern of worship:

• Gathering Around the Word of God
• Proclaiming the Word of God
• Responding and Receiving the Word of God
• Taking the Word of God into the World

Ultimately, our corporate worship is cyclical. We gather weekly around the Word of God and then are empowered to take the Word of God into the world with us. There is no beginning or ending to our worship, just a weekly renewing.

The Elements of Worship

Word of God

The Scriptures are the Word of God written, witnessing to God's self-revelation. Where the Word is read and proclaimed, Jesus Christ, the Living Word is present by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. For this reason the reading, hearing, preaching, and confessing of the Word are central to worship.

Sacraments

CPC understands Baptism and the Lord's Supper to be sacraments, instituted by God and commended by Christ. Sacraments are signs of th real presence and power of Christ in the Church, symbols of God's action, not ours. Through the sacraments, God seals believers in redemption, renews their identity as the people of God, and marks them for service.

• Baptism: We believe there is one baptism and we recognize all baptisms with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We baptize children and adult believers because we believe that baptism witnesses not only to the truth of God's gift of grace, but that His love claims people before they are able to respond.
• The Lord's Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord. All who are baptized and profess Jesus as Lord are welcome to tthe Lord's table.

Prayer

Prayer is at the heart of worship. In prayer we listen and wait upon God, call God by name, remember God's gracious ats, and offer ourselves to God. Prayer can take many forms. At CPC, we like to share our prayers and burdens in the service.

Music & the Arts

At CPC, we use all styles of music in worship. Music is a way of engaging the whole self in prayer. Whether it is traditional hymns, choirs, contemporary songs, all are used to glorify God. Drama, painting, and other artistic expressions are incorporated in our worship as well.