What does our Sunday gathering look like?
When we begin gathering August 2nd
Sunday
3:30 pm Setup + Fellowship
4:00 pm Call to Worship
6:00 pm Teardown
Services will be roughly 2 hours
What to Expect
The Sunday gathering is where the church is made visible, where God’s worship is public, and where He has put His name. We gather together to circle around the Word as one body as a witness to the world of the manifold wisdom of God.
God’s supreme, inspired, infallible, inerrant, and sufficient Word is declared to His people. It is through the preaching of the Word that the Christian is convicted, encouraged, comforted, instructed, and equipped to life and godliness.
We hear the Word
God has defined what is pleasing worship to Him so we sing His Word back to Him and to one another. It is because God regulates His own worship that we are intentional about the song choice and manner of singing. We seek to have theologically rich songs led in a manner fitting for congregational singing.
We sing the Word
Each gathering we participate in the body and blood of Christ as a covenanted family at the Lord’s Table. This ordinance is intended for members only of Coram Deo Baptist Church. If you are not a member, don’t feel embarrassed, take that time to pray and meditate on Christ’s finished work.
We receive the Word
As we gather and scatter we do so before the face of God. We consider the delightful duty to be a witness to the risen King Jesus Christ to an onlooking world. As we go, we seek to sow the seeds of the Gospel everywhere we go.
We proclaim the Word
Family Integrated
We teach that the Sunday gathering is for the whole family. That the children should look to the parents to be discipled, learn the significance of the gathered church, and participate as able in the worship of God.
This means that our gathering can include squawking, crying, or cooing. This is a wonderful sign of life in the church and parents should not be embarrassed by the noise their little ones produce. We will have activities for the children to enjoy during service if interested. Additionally, if a child is inconsolable, the parent is welcome to step out until the child can be calmed and brought back into service. A church without children is a church missing an essential quality of longevity, sanctification, and delight.
Call and Response
We teach that God speaks to us through His Word and we respond. We do this in singing, praying, or verbal response. Our service order includes several “back and forths” between Scripture reading and the congregation responding. This helps form our worship around God’s revealed will.
One occasion is during our catechism Q+A. Each Sunday a catechism is read by the pastor and the congregation responds in unison with the answer. The catechism is available in print or projected during this portion so no pressure to have it memorized before we gather. Although, that’s not a bad goal!
The other special occasion that you’ll experience every Sunday is the formal call and response to the sermon. At the beginning of the preaching portion of worship the passage will be read. Once the reading is complete, the pastor will declare, “This is the Word of the Lord.” Then it’s your turn! The congregation responds with, “Praise be to God.”
When God’s Word is read, God is speaking. We want to stir up holy affections for receiving God’s Word.
Dress Code
We’re not your suit and tie variety, you can let out a sigh of relief. However, we don’t think that God is entirely indifferent towards our outer man. When it comes to how we dress, Scripture offers us no strict requirements. Rather it offers us principles. We want to show up Sunday morning soberly, with dignity, and a sense of the gravity of what we are about to participate in.
Bulletins
Our primary means of communication on a Sunday morning are the bulletins. We don’t have typical announcements as a part of our liturgy. That means that the paper bulletin and word of mouth are the main vehicles for upcoming events, updates, or other items typical to announcement.
Additionally, we do have a weekly email that goes out from the pastor that usually includes all of the above alongside some devotional thoughts and occasionally a bit of dry wit. Though your mileage may vary on whether or not the wit is worth the price of admission.
Sunday Liturgy
Liturgy is a fancy word for service order. Every church has one. Ours is informed by Scripture and designed around drawing our eyes towards Christ and His Word.
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This marks the beginning of our time of worship together. Service is announced and a Scripture reading is read to begin our time.
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Songs are selected to fit the theme of the passage and stir our holy affections towards God.
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The church, with one voice, proclaims God’s Word. Fixing our minds on Him and His attributes.
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Songs are selected to fit the theme of the passage and stir our holy affections towards God.
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Instruction is one fundamental part of the Christian life, and it’s part of how our minds are conformed to Christ. Additionally, it provides an amazing resource for family worship, devotions, or discussions as one trains up their children.
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Songs are selected to fit the theme of the passage and stir our holy affections towards God.
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God’s Word is the centerfold of the Sunday gathering. It is by His Word and Spirit that Christ rules and reigns through His church every time they are gathered.
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Communion is the family meal, whereby members of the church who have covenanted together, share in the nourishment of the finished work of Christ until He returns. It is here that the church is most visible.
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Songs are selected to fit the theme of the passage and stir our holy affections towards God.
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The church’s duty is to support the needs of the church. Everyone is encouraged to give according to their ability, without coercion.
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Our final song together, sang with just the voices.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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A special blessing from the pastor before the congregation is dismissed.