Equipping the Saints

“And he gave … the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints” (Ephesians 4:11, 12)

Equipping the Saints

“The preaching of the Word, the power of God unto salvation, is indispensable in the public worship of God.” (Directory for the Public Worship of God II.A.3.a)

Equipping the Saints

Q 89: How is the word made effectual to salvation?

A: The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching, of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.

(The Westminster Shorter Catechism Q&A 89)

WORSHIP

Worship is the single greatest thing we can do; it is why we were created and it is why we are saved. Providence puts a great emphasis on the public worship of God, where God’s people congregate to worship him in Spirit and in truth.

THE RELATIONSHIP

Our belief in God and how we worship forms an important relationship. What we believe ought to direct how we worship, and how we worship either supports or undermines what we believe.

THE DIALOGUE

Public worship is a dialogue between God and his covenant people. God initiates by summoning us, blessing us, and speaking to us by his Word. We respond by offering to God praise, prayer, and offering.

THE RULE

The Bible alone teaches us how we can worship God rightly. Therefore, our worship needs to be grounded in what the Bible teaches and not the opinions or imaginations of men.

THE PERSONS

We have the great joy of worshiping the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit because salvation is the work of each Person. Therefore, our worship is to always be Trinitarian.

We believe the Spirit particularly uses the preaching of God’s Word as an effectual means of salvation. Therefore we place a great emphasis on the biblical, sound, expository preaching of God’s Word.

We use the Trinity Psalter Hymnal in our congregational singing. This includes all 150 psalms and many older and newer hymns. Because we delight in hearing the voices of God’s people, we only use a piano as accompaniment.

Worship is to be done decently and in good order. Our worship is comprised of the elements of public worship and follow the pattern of entering into God’s presence, repentance and pardon, response, and hearing God’s Word.