Worship Services
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At Summit View, we do not have a prescribed order or form that we follow in worship; nor do we have an official creed to which we refer as a means of declaring our faith.
We seek to use the Bible as our guide and allow its statements to prescribe our principles and declare our faith.
Many styles of worship exist among those who profess the Christian faith. Therefore, we think that you may be more comfortable in participating with us for your own personal enrichment if we answer some simple questions.
May I participate in the service?
Yes. We do not want worship to be a “spectator sport.” Feel free to sing or silently worship in prayer as the pastor or a member of the congregation leads the group. (We understand public prayer to be led by an individual while others offer agreement by adding their personal amen’s – I Corinthians 14:16.) You may publicly give your prayer requests when they are requested during the service, or you may privately give them to the pastor or another church member.
You are welcome to participate in the Lord’s Supper with us, if you are sure of your eternal salvation and have properly examined yourself as required by Scripture ( I Corinthians 11:28
).
Is there ever occasion for audibly praising the Lord apart from the praise led by the song leader or other service leader?
Yes. The public expression of the word amen, which means so be it, and other Biblical expressions of joy and agreement are encouraged at appropriate places in the worship of God. The guide for this expression is decency and order ( I Corinthians 14:40
), a description which basically means that such expressions should add to, and not distract from, the message being given.
What is meant by “worship”?
Worship, derived from the Old English word worthship, basically means to declare the worth of God. We worship God through hymns, songs, prayer, Scripture reading, testimony, offerings, drama, and the proclamation (preaching) of God’s Word.
Are there periods of silence in worship?
Yes. We encourage the exchange of friendship before the service begins, but as the instruments begin playing, we encourage you to quiet yourself before the Lord. Silence before God has been the experience of Biblical characters:
1. There seems to have been silence as Isaiah saw the Lord ( Isaiah 6:1-4
); then, there was an expression from his lips ( Isaiah 6:5
).
2. The prophet Habakkuk speaks of the whole earth’s silence before the Lord ( Habakkuk 2:20
).
What is the music like in the services?
The Scriptures encourage a new song from the lips of God’s people ( Psalm 33:3
). The New Testament mentions three types of songs used in worship ( Colossians 3:16
): psalms (personal expressions of praise and prayer to God); hymns (music and words directed to God); and spiritual songs (songs and choruses that express God’s work to others). To be effective in worship, all of these must come from the heart. We also regularly use group music from the choir and other singing groups or soloists. This music comes from our membership or from guests who we believe will uphold the beliefs of our church.
We do use various types of music, but we do not use music that distracts from the message of the song or that incorporates the style of music currently promoted by the loose culture of our society.
Why are people often asked to come forward at the close of the service or at other occasions in the service?
1. For salvation: This time is offered as an opportunity for those who need answers to questions about their eternal state or to receive counsel and prayer. If someone needs to accept Christ as Savior or has questions about this matter, he is encouraged to come for counsel and help. Such public confession often strengthens a person spiritually ( Romans 10:9-10, 13
).
2. For healing and forgiveness: Sometimes a Christian needs to ask for public forgiveness ( I John 1:9
James 5:16
).
3. For encouragement: Sometimes we need to be encouraged by the pastor and the prayers of others ( Hebrews 10:24-25
).
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