Pastor’s note: Some years ago, Reformed Theological Seminary’s quarterly publication used the theme of worship. I kept one page which contained some worship helps which Reverend Skip Ryan used with his congregation at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, Virginia. These helps are reprinted here for our benefit.

1.  RECOGNIZE: Corporate worship grows out of personal worship. Therefore, the most fundamental
                               preparation for Sunday worship is that which flows from presenting yourself as a living
                               sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-2) and having a broken and contrite heart (Psalm
                               51:1-10)

      DO: Ask God for a heart of worship and brokenness each day.

 

2.  RECOGNIZE: You cannot expect to rush into church after an exhausting Saturday night and “be
                               worshipful.” A late Saturday night may at times be necessary and fun, but if you
                               always get less sleep than you need on Saturday night and are tired in church, can
                               you be alert and attentive to the majesty and presence of the Lord?

      DO: Get a good night’s rest before Sunday worship.

 

3.  RECOGNIZE: Conscious acknowldgment of God’s deity will prepare your heart for coming into his
                               presence.

      DO: Before bed on Saturday night, read individually (or pray with your family) passages of Scripture
              which remind you of who God is. Pray that even as you sleep, the Lord would prepare you to
              worship Him (Psalm 127:2).

 

4.  RECOGNIZE: You must have a fertile heart Sunday morning.

      DO: Spend time alone with the Lord Sunday morning before coming to church.

 

5.  RECOGNIZE: You cannot prepare adequately just before worship if you are late. If you are parking
                               the car, you have missed the beginning of worship.

      DO: Plan to be in your seat at least five minutes before the service starts.

 

6.  RECOGNIZE: God is in our presence when we gather for worship; He constitutes us as a
                               worshipping assembly (Hebrews 12:23, Genesis 28:17).

      DO: Come, conscious that God is present.

 

7.  RECOGNIZE: What you are really doing in worship is joining with “the general assembly and the
                               church of the first born who are in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23). We worship with the
                               whole of God’s elect from every time and place – including the angels (Hebrews
                               12:22).

      DO: As you come to church, imagine the host of brothers and sisters (saints from all ages and
              the angels) who are waiting to worship with you.

 

8.  RECOGNIZE: There is a healthy balance between greeting friends and being quiet before the
                               service starts.

      DO: Be quiet before worship. Pray or read a Psalm, the prayer at the top of the program,
              the responsive reading, or a creed.

 

9.  RECOGNIZE: Worship takes as much effort as solving a complex problem in your checkbook or
                               playing a good set of tennis.

      DO: Concentrate on each phrase spoken, sung, or prayed. Think as you worship (Mark 12:30).

 

10. RECOGNIZE: Worship centers around the Word read, preached, and heard, for the Word is God’s
                                living voice speaking His will to us.

       DO: Listen carefully to the Word read and preached; give the sermon full attention, pray to learn
               from it.

 

11. RECOGNIZE: Worship is much more than hearing a sermon. The first half of the service is not “
                                window dressing” or a warm-up for the message.

       DO: Concentrate on the meaning of each part of the worship as it occurs.

 

12. RECOGNIZE: Worship also centers around the Sacraments – ordinances instituted by Christ for the                                 benefit of the believers.

      DO: Participate in the Sacraments.

 

13. RECOGNIZE: We do not come out to worship primarily for what we “get out of it.” We come for what                                 God “gets out of it.” Do not expect to be entertained but to give worship to God.

      DO: After the service ask, “How did I do?” rather than “How do I feel?”

 

14. RECOGNIZE: Worship should change us.

       DO: During the minute of silence following the benediction, resolve to do one concrete thing
               on the basis of your worship (Romans 12:2).