Recently, I have been thinking through the possibilities of a modern Reformed liturgy. After working through the trail of worship books from the Old World to the New, from the sixteenth century to the twentieth, the following service resulted and is one of three forms we now use. It is not imposed on the folks at our new Christian Reformed congregation in Orange County, California, but has been rather cheerfully received as a way of conforming their new-found love for Reformed truth to their worship of and service to their Redeemer.
Congregation of Christ, our help is in the name of the Lord who has made heaven and earth.
He is our Rock and we shall not be moved.
Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who are in heaven hallowed by they name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Hymn of Invocation
The Reading of the Law:
Exodus 20, Matthew 5, or Galatians 6:16-25
The General Confession
Dearly loved brothers and sisters, we are called to examine ourselves in the light of God's Law. Let us go to God in public confession.
Our Father, we are sinful and you are holy. We recognize that we have heard in your Law difficult words, knowing how often we have offended you in thought, word and deed, not only by obvious violations, but by failing to conform to its perfect commands, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. There is nothing in us that gives us reason for hope, for where we thought we were well, we are sick in soul. Where we thought we were holy, we are in truth unholy and ungrateful. Our hearts are filled with the love of the world; our minds are dark and are assailed by doubts; our wills are too often given to selfishness and our bodies to laziness and unrighteousness. By sinning against our neighbors, we have also sinned against you, in whose image they were created. In this time of silent confession we bring you our particular sins.
[Silent Confession]
Our Father, although you are a holy God who cannot look upon sin, look upon Christ our Savior and forgive us for his sake. You have promised us that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteous. We ask also that you would give us an increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit, so that we may learn the wisdom of your ways and walk in your holy paths, for your glory and the good of our neighbor.
Amen.
Brothers and sisters, you have heard the Law and have confessed your sins to Almighty God. Do you believe that Jesus Christ, by his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, has atoned for your sins and satisfied the wrath of God toward you?
We do.
Declaration of Pardon
In the name of Christ and by the authority of his Word I declare to you that your sins are forgiven and you are not under the condemnation of God.
The Nicene Creed (in unison)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the confession of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Pastoral Prayer
[Here the minister may offer an extended prayer for the church militant, the nation, the state, and the needs of this particular congregation, with a time for the congregation to offer extemporaneous prayers.]
Old Testament Lesson
[An elder shall read the Old Testament Lesson and offer the following prayer]
Our Father, we have heard wonderful things out of thy Word. We praise you for revealing Christ by promise and shadow in these pages. Help us to understand these words, for thy name's sake.
Amen.
New Testament Lesson
[An elder shall read the New Testament Lesson and offer the following prayer]
Our Father, we have heard wonderful things out of thy Word. We praise you for revealing Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and ask you to give us your Spirit so that we may understand the fullness of your truth.
Amen.
Sermon
Hymn
Preparation for Communion
For all who live in rebellion against God and unbelief, this holy food and drink will bring you only further condemnation. If you do not yet confess Jesus Christ and seek to live under his gracious reign, we ask you to abstain. Nevertheless, for those of you who have confessed your sins and affirmed your faith in Christ, the promise is sure: "Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood has eternal life and will not come into condemnation." You are invited to this sacred meal not because you are worthy in yourself, but because you are clothed in Christ's righteousness. Do not allow the weakness of your faith or your failures in the Christian life to keep you from this table. For it is given to us because of our weakness and because of our failures, in order to increase our faith by feeding us with the body and blood of Jesus Christ. As the Word has promised us God's favor, so also our Heavenly Father has added this confirmation of his unchangeable promise. So come, believing sinners, for the table is ready. "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
The Consecration
Almighty and everlasting God, who by the blood of your only begotten Son has secured for us a new and living way into the Holy of Holies, cleanse our minds and hearts by your Word and Spirit that we, your redeemed people, drawing close to you through these holy mysteries, may enjoy fellowship with the Holy Trinity through the body and blood of Christ our Savior.
Brothers and sisters, our ascended Savior does not live in temples made by hands, but is in heaven where he continues to intercede on our behalf. Through this mystery, by God's own promise in his Word and through the ministry of his Holy Spirit, these common elements of bread and wine actually become for us a means of grace through which we receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Let us now go to our Heavenly Table and receive the gift of God for our souls. Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
The Communion
[During Communion the congregation will come forward to receive the bread and wine, during which the minister shall say to each group: "The Body of Christ broken for you, to preserve your souls unto everlasting life"; "The Blood of Christ poured out for the remission of your sins, to keep you in life eternal." The choir may quietly sing an appropriate psalm or hymn during the distribution.]
Prayer of Gratitude
Our Gracious Heavenly Father, we acknowledge the great mystery of this holy feast. Although we are unworthy to share this meal with you, it is by your invitation and dressed in Christ's righteousness that we have come boldly into the Holy of Holies. Instead of wrath, we have received your pardon; in the place of fear we have been given hope. Our High Priest and Mediator of the New Covenant has reconciled us to you and even now intercedes for us at your right hand. Please strengthen us by these gifts so that, relying only on your promise to save sinners who call on your name, we may, by your Spirit, honor you with our souls and bodies, to the honor and glory of your holy name.
Amen..
Hymn of Gratitude
The Offering and Doxology
Benediction
