WORship Ministries
Calling people to Jesus Christ and equipping them for service
Worship Ministries
Worship Ministries provide inspiring worship that invites people into a life-renewing relationship with Jesus Christ by planning and coordinating the regular and special worship services of the church.
The Worship Planning Team plans and leads regular and special worship services of the church. This teams also recruits vocalists, instrumentalists, readers, etc. who are involved in leading services.
The Worship Technical Team works with the Worship Planning Team to carry out the technical aspects (sound system, A/V recording, MediaShout) of worship.
The Prayer Team meets regularly to prayer for the needs of Immanuel. Members of the team are also available for prayer with individuals following Sunday morning services. The team promotes prayer by everyone and provides resources to facilitate prayer. It also plans and coordinates special church-wide prayer events.
The Worship Decor Team works with the Worship Planning Team to plan, direct, and coordinate worship related furniture and decorations (flowers, banners, candles, etc.)
Worship Values at Immanuel
1. Worship is first and foremost a meeting between God and His people.
Worship expresses the covenant—“I will be their God; they will be my people.”
He initiates. We respond. Worship is dialogue. God is present—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. In worship we rehearse and remember who God is and what he has done for our salvation, especially the gospel message of forgiveness and new life through Christ's work.
We tell the story in song, spoken word, and sacrament (at least monthly celebration of the Lord’s
Supper; celebrate baptism as necessary).
We believe, receive, affirm, express gratitude, and commit to serve.
We regularly include confession and declaration of pardon through song, litany, and led prayers.
We observe the liturgical calendar to rehearse and to remember the work of Christ.
3. The content of worship comes primarily from scripture as understood through our Reformed confessional tradition.
4. Worship engages the whole person.
It is not just an intellectual exercise, but involves the will, the affections, even the body.
Music is a powerful means of involving the emotions and the body.
5. Worship recognizes both the common shared experience of the body and the diversity of the body.
Treasure box
We utilize a variety of musical styles.
Deference to one another’s preferences
Intergenerational
Aspects of the service are accessible to children.
6. Worship has three main movements: gathering, proclaiming, responding.
7. Worship is thematic.
Music, readings, and other aspects of worship are informed by the sermon text and topic.
8. Worship takes time-—we aim for 75 minutes for a regular service.
9. Worship is participatory.
We value congregational singing.
Preaching involves active listening.
A diversity of gifts is used to plan, prepare for, implement worship.
10. Worship should communicate to, be accessible to, and challenge the seeker and unbeliever.
There is an evangelistic edge to the service.
At the same time we recognize that spiritual eyes resulting from faith in Christ are necessary.