Our Divine Weekly Appointment

 From February Pres by Joel Adams

A Series of Articles on the Elements of Worship          

 This article is the first of a series I plan to write on the elements of worship.  Following the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions, we are very intentional as we plan the Order of Worship.  More than the specific order, the elements of our Worship Service are given the utmost attention.  As we plan to worship our Triune God, each element should be closely reviewed.  Our worship is not happenstance, but planned and prayerfully pieced together in light of Scripture.  In this series I will take a look at each element of worship and hopefully provide some insight.  My prayer is that we all will more fully understand the various elements of our worship.  Not for knowledge alone, but to inspire worship of our Great and Awesome God.

 PRELUDE – preamble, preface, prologue, introduction, groundwork, preparation

Each week we begin our service with a musical prelude.  The music is not randomly chosen and is not intended to be “background music.”  The music is selected in light of the Scriptures for the day, the sermon, and the liturgical church calendar.  This is intended to introduce, prepare, and invite!  Importantly, this is a time to focus our minds and prepare our hearts to offer the best we have in worship.  We become readied and not caught off guard to the impending worship service.  We know what is about to happen and can adequately prepare to worship our HOLY GOD!

 Given the fast paced lives we live, the prelude is especially important and helpful.  We rush to get the children ready and file them into the pew.  Then in an effort to keep them happy and content, we bring out the crayons, coloring books, and their favorite toy.  Those without young children might enter the sanctuary with work, relationships, or social plans on their mind.  This is the reality of our lives!  Some might be lucky to make it to worship at all, let alone in time to prepare during the prelude!

 Our organist, David Jolliff, considers the prelude a conversation.  Are your ears part of that conversation?  Is your mind part of that conversation?  Is your heart part of that conversation?  I challenge you to let the prelude lead you in preparation for worship.  Ask the Lord to clear your mind and help you focus on Him.  Even amidst the chaos of our busy lives, the Lord can use the prelude to prepare us for worship! 

Open your ears to the music!  Open your mind to the knowledge of God!  Open your heart to the act of worship!