St. Matthew's United Church of Christ

Our Worship

We come to church to worship God and celebrate the new life we share in Jesus Christ. The order of worship is often called the "liturgy" which means the work of the people. What follows are quick answers to common questions about our worship.

What are sacraments? We observe two sacraments based on our reading of the Bible; they are Baptism and Holy Communion.

What is the purpose of the Prelude and Choral Introit? Music helps us gather our thoughts and focus our attention on God. Along with Silent Meditation, we move from the distractions of our daily lives into the presence of God Almighty. This is not a time to visit with each other, but a time for silent prayer and reflection.

What is the Gloria Patri? The "Gloria Patri" is a Latin Phrase meaning "Glory to the Father". Its origin date back to the 5th Century when the church sought to remind the faithful that they worship a God revealed as Father and Son and Holy Spirit. We continue to sing this song to remind oursevles of this central teaching of the church. We worship a God who is three persons known as the Trinity.

Why do we confess our sins so often in church? Jesus died on the cross for our sins. God's love, not anger brought Jesus to the cross. We believe that God through Christ, seeks to forgive us and empower us to holier lives. Weekly confession is a gift which helps us name the sin that prevents us from fully receiving God's healing and liberating love. Confession is about pardon, not punishment.

Why do we sing hymns? John Wesley once said that the goal of hymn singing is to please God more than yourself. Hymns are about God and our relationship with Jesus and the church, whether your voice is strong or weak is not the point. Sing the hymns of the church to give God a gift and to learn from them. There is a powerful message for us in them all.

What is the point of the children's message? Jesus said, "Let the chiuldren come unto me and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs." (Mark 10:14) Children are part of the family of God and they belong in worship. The children's message is meant to affirm this truth.

Why does the church always ask for money in worship? Giving money is a symbolic and practical act. It is symbolic because we aim to give oursleves in service and devotion to God. It is practical because the offering helps the church pay its bills and carry out its mission in Christ's name.

What is the value of the sermon? In every sermon, the pastor with the help of the Holy Spirit, teaches what the Holy Scriptures mean so the people of God can apply what they've learned to their lives.

Why congregational prayer? After hearing joys and concerns of the people and quieting ourselves in silence, the pastor prays and we listen for God's response to our heartfelt concerns. Following the pastoral prayer, the entire congregation prays the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, otherwise known as the Lord's prayer.