Liturgy

Christian Worship Resources

ordinarytimeadorationoflambxtralarge.jpg

Adoration Of the Lamb

Worship Resources

BOOKS

Webber, Robert, the Ancient-Future Series (Ancient Future Faith, Ancient Future Time, etc).  All of Robert Webber’s books are helpful.  

Schmemann, Alexander, For The Life of the World.  This book is a great piece on the Sacrament of the Eucharist, as well as an introduction to thinking about he world from a sacramental perspective.

Marva J. Dawn, Reaching out Without Dumbing Down, Eerdmans, 1995 and A Royal Waste of Time, Eerdmans, 1999.  If you're moving from a more free-Church worship setting to a liturgical worship setting, Dawn's work will provide a great foundation.

Galli, Mark, Beyond Bells and Smells: The Wonder and Power of Christian Liturgy.  This is a very accessible introduction to liturgy.

Keller, Tim, see TK's articles online regarding Christian worship.  Find them simply by googling the topic and Keller's name!

Smith, James K.A., Desiring the Kingdom and Imagining the Kingdom.

Chan, Simon, Liturgical Theology.

Frame, John, Contemporary Worship, P&R Publishing.  Frame's perspective on Christian worship is helpful and wise.  He approaches the subject from a Reformed/Presbyterian ethos.

White, James F., Protestant Worship: Tradition in Transition.  White's book is a bit heavy but a good introduction to a wide range of issues.

Service Helps (Liturgy, Prayers, Instructions)

The Book of Common Prayer

The Worship Sourcebook (Published by the Christian Reformed Church (CRC)).

The Book of Common Worship (1943 Presbyterian).

Prayers for All God’s People (Methodist, Upper Room Press)

The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (ed.by Arthur Bennet).

Lutheran Book of Worship.

The 1982 Hymnal, The Episcopal Church

The Trinity Hymnal and The Trinity Psalter

“Everyday Prayers” by Pastor Scotty Smith

Online

www.ancientfaithradio.org Eastern Orthodox Lectures and Music

Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, My home church in Orlando.

www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM Cathechism of The Catholic Church

www.ntwrightpage.com Fascinating Theologian

www.sevenrivers.org Wonderful Church in Florida

www.redmountainchurch.org and www.igracemusic.com Retuned Hymns

www.bcponline.org Anglican Worship Book (Book Of Common Prayer)

www.cyberhymnal.org Hymns Online (Search by Tune, Meter, etc)

www.creeds.net  Creeds Across Christianity

www.igracemusic.com  Retuned Hymns

SONGS

Come People Of The Risen King (Getty Music)

His Love Can Never Fail (www.igracemusic.com)

Satisfied (http://www.redmountainchurch.org/rmm/alb/lyrics.html)

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (http://www.themidtownproject.com/downloads/)

Jesus, Lover of My Soul (igracemusic) Come Away From Rush and Hurry (Lyrics by Author Marva Dawn)

Thy Mercy My God (igracemusic.com)

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds (igracemusic.com)

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (igracemusic.com)

Psalm 73 (igracemusic.com)

God Be Merciful To Me (igracemusic.com)

Come Ye Sinners (igracemusic.com)

Jesus Everlasting King (igracemusic.com)

Lord Have Mercy (by Steve Merkyl)

I Will Glory in My Redeemer (Sovereign Grace Music)

My Hope is Built (traditional)

All Creatures of our God and King (traditional)

Be Thou My Vision (traditional)

Come Thou Fount (traditional)

Before the Throne of God Above (Cook arrangement)

In Christ Alone (Getty/Townend)

Holy, Holy, Holy  (traditional)

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Stuart Townend)

How Firm a Foundation (traditional)

This is My Father’s World (traditional)

It is Well (traditional)

‘Tis So Sweet (traditional)

Our God is Greater (Tomlin)

Lord, I Need You and Christ Is Risen (Matt Maher)

 

What is Christian Worship?

Christian worship is God’s primary tool for shaping our identity as his beloved people, the Church. Worship is not a concert; nor is it entertainment for spectators. Rather, worship is a divine, community reenactment of the great story of the scriptures: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration. Thus, as we gather to sing, pray, celebrate the sacraments, read the scriptures, confess our sins, and profess our common faith together, God’s story becomes our story and, over time, by God’s Spirit, we are shaped both individually and corporately into the image of Jesus Christ- the Church. Worship approaches, preferences, and styles may differ among contexts and communities, but the essence of Christian worship remains the same! The liturgy or structure of the worship service helps us tell this great story.

And, in short, the liturgical flow goes something like this: God communicates to us and we respond in worship. That is, first God calls us to worship. Accordingly, we respond in song and prayer. Next, God cleanses us in confession as we offer our honest prayer. Then God covers us with his gospel assurance, and so we respond in thanksgiving. In the preaching of the scriptures, God consecrates us with his word, to which we respond with an affirmation of faith. Finally, God commissions us with his blessing and we respond by lifting our hands to receive his benediction (blessing).