Before the Service, We...

Before the service we sing some hymns, have the men come to the alter and pray for any prayer requests, have a few moments to get up and fellowship, take the offering, then the choir sings (when we've practiced),anyone singing a solo sings, and pastor calls on a man to pray for the service, and He preaches.
After service, we have an alter call for those needing to pray or get saved, and then we sing a hymn, someone prays, and we are dismissed.

 

I have implemented the pattern that Dr. Bob church uses. For Example, here is our order of service for this past Sunday:

While I would like people to quietly prepare and have been trying to set the example personally, old habits do die hard. The way our building is set up (open-backed auditorium- area) also makes it difficult to separate the hustle and bustle of the post Sunday School bathroom break from the reverential atmosphere we are trying to create in the auditorium. The order of service we use does help us lead people into a reverential spirit- the offertory allows a period for quiet reflection, and in the fall, the choir number should also contribute to that as well.

 

No written down order of worship for us.

Sunday is a day of singing, praying, preaching, and praying.

If there are important announcements, it is either done before prayer after the congregational singing, or after preaching and before the congregation gets up and extend hands of fellowship to one another.

Services always end with a prayer.

If during announcements, or after the preaching, someone has something to say which will bolster the announcement, or about how the sermon has blessed or affected him or her, that someone may stand up and speak.

 

Our church has alot of conversation going on before the worship service. However, I prefer a quiet time of preparation before the service. I'm not sure which one is better for the whole church, but I'm reminded that we are gathering together specifically for the purpose to worship God. Fellowship is good but it can wait until later.

 

Some BaptistBoard members may express a not-to-subtile distain for a noisy fellowship time verses a reverent preparation and prayer before the service.

Where I attend we fellowship quite noisily before the service.

I noticed with great interest recently when we had a classical pianist play before a service.
The group that was presenting were dressed up quite nicely.
Without being hushed, people entered the foyer and the sanctuary quietly and reverently just by listening to the opening music.

There is a connection between the way a service is conducted, (how the pastor and deacons dress, how the music is played [canned music verses live performances], how the sanctuary is constructed) and how people conduct themselves before (and after) the service.

A casual and open family atmosphere fosters a more noisy fellowshipping.

Rob

 

Working class churches tend to be noisier and fellowshipping, because unlike the Country Club set, for many of our people, this is their only day off and the only time they get to see one another (except Sunday PM and Wed PM).

Our worship starts with a "bang," as our 125-voice choir cranks up. However, worship really starts in Sunday School, with one hour of Bible teaching before services start.