Worship at Carus United Methodist Church

Carus UMC Worship Team

• Purpose: "To empower unto success worship services designed to create John 4 Worship Moments for the congregation of Carus United Methodist"
• John 4 Worshipers: Worship in spirit and truth
• Design: Collaborate on a Flow of Worship That Honor God so that
• Worship Moments: God's Manifest Presence Occupies Our Praises (and the Silent Spaces Between Our Acts of Worship)
• Current team active since February 2005
• After initial intensives (built upon the work the church did in preparation for creating the mission statement), monthly training sessions, "Vision/Huddle/Skills" followed by planning sessions
• Carus UMC Team Members:
  • Rand Sargent
  • Ray Rudie
  • Carol Johns
  • Susan McKenna
  • Ann Krupa
  • Carol Johns
  • Regis Peregrin

What is worship?

Certainly, the answer to this question would fill a library of books, with many varied approaches. Here are a few scripture references, quotes, and questions that the Carus UMC Worship Team has considered in their quest to create worship moments. This inventory is by no means a complete outline of the work we have done, but rather a gives a picture of the approach and scope of our work.

• Scripture on the call to worship and action of worship
• John:4:4-26 - Jesus talks with a Samaritan Woman
• Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synogogue
• Psalm 42:1-8 - For the director of music. A maskill of the Sons of Korah
• Psalm 63 - A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah
• Exodus 12:27f - "Bow Down" (HEB shaya; GK proskyneo) Pulic/private prostration or yielding in Praise or Adoration
• Exodus 12:27f - "Kiss Toward" (HEB shaya; GK proskyneo)
• Psalm 118:15-21 - "Shouts" (HEB yadah) Loud praise in expression /acknowledgement of God's Goodness
• Psalm 65:5-8 - "Acclaim/Boast" (HEB halal) Taking deep satisfaction in the One being praised
• Psalm 118:15-21 - "Give Thanks" (HEB yadah or todah also LATIN eucharisto) Praising, confessing, giving thanks to acknowledge God's character
• Psalm 9:11 - "Sing Praise/Make Music" (HEB zamer) Making Music as an assisted focus on God's character and acts
  Matthew 26:36 (GR Hymneo) Singing hymns or praises
  James 5:13 (GR Psallo) Singing psalms
• Psalm 145:3-7 - "Praise/Commend" (HEB sbah; GK epaineo) Making rich delight or adoration in God
  Luke 16:8
  Romans 15:11
  1 Corinthians 11:2, 17-22
• Luke 1:64-68, 24:53 - "Bless/Speak Well Of" (GR eulogeo) Pronouncing a Blessing or Being Blessed
• Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21 - "Praise/Confess" (GR exomologeomai) To agree with God
• Questions to consider
• How does spirit define what a worshiper does?
• How does truth define what a worshiper does?
• (Use the actions printed above, starting with "Bow Down") what pictures do you see for each action?
• What personal resources do you bring to this team?
• What inventory does God bring to the table?
• What are the Major Events in the Worship Year we will celebrate?
• What are the Alternate Styles are to design?
• Worship at its heart is giving something to honor God. Consider John 12:1-7 Why did Mary anoint Jesus that day?
• How does Jesus understand Mary's anointing?
• How does this story help you describe what worship is?
• "Worship Flow"
1. God Initiates/Self-Discloses
• The Father
  • loves unconditionally
  • makes covenant-Kingdom of God
  • Demonstrates Power-Raises Jesus from the Dead
• The Son
• lives sacrificially-Reconciles all to God
• preaches/teaches/lives the Kingdom of God
• The Holy Spirit
• lives within God's people
• teaches us about Jesus
• creates the fruit of unconditional love in us (Gal 5)
• gives power
2. We hear, understand, respond in worship
3. Fourfold Pattern of Worship
1. Gathering
2. Word
3. Eucharist
4. Going out - sending forth

This Is My Father's World

The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministeries, The United Methodist Church.
The content of these pages is the responsibility of Regis Peregrin, member of Carus United Methodist Church.
Please send feeback to carus_um@gbgmchurches.gbgm-umc.org
Created November 17, 2002 ; Last updated, July, 18, 2006