North Pima News

Ascension Lutheran Church issued the following announcement on April 26

All Christians should participate in Worship. It is our purpose. 

We have talked before on how Worship Leaders take the difference in Corporate Worship differently than Personal Worship. Today I want to talk about Corporate Worship a little more. 

What is it? Is it necessary? 

Corporate Worship refers to gathering together and worshiping as the Body of Christ. I am talking about more than worshiping as a family, or a small group of believers, although both of those things are important and vital. When I say Corporate Worship I am referring to a Church body gathering together in an organized service.  

It is something that is absolutely necessary to the healthy spiritual growth of a believer. Can you be a believer and not be in a church? Yes, but you would be willfully stunting your own growth, and going against what we are taught in the Word.  

Paul, in his letters to the churches, repeatedly says that we are a body. We are individual parts of a greater whole. And that our gatherings are to edify, convict, teach, and reprove. We were made to be in a community. Worship, being our point and purpose of life should obviously be a part of that. 

The Author of Hebrews says 

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  (Hebrews 10:19-25 emphasis mine)

We were made to worship, alone, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

So what does that entail?

Well, a lot actually. Our worship services, liturgy, and traditions are centuries in the making. 

There are five universal acts of corporate worship. Acts of worship that you can find in any Christian church regardless of denomination. These are all acts that we are instructed by the Bible to do together. 

1: Reading and Teaching of the Word

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16 - 4:2)

2: Prayer

Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

3: Praise 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

4: Communion

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,  and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

5: Tithes and Offerings

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

No matter what denomination you go to, we all use these 5 universal acts of Corporate worship There may differences in how or how often we take communion, or how we give our tithes and offerings but we all worship in these ways. 

Liturgical Traditions add two more acts of Worship common in all "high church" services. 

6: The Public Confession of Sins

 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)

7: Confession of Faith 

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9-11)

Now, all of these things can be done in personal worship. It is interesting to note that in most of these Scripture passages it is clear that they are being instructed to do it as a group. 

God Himself is a community, we are made to be in community with each other and with God. These Acts of Worship are instructed by God for us to do, for our benefit. It is important to remember that we do these things not only out of duty, but out of love and response to God. It is beneficial for us to worship, and beneficial to worship together!

Original source can be found here.