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Worship > About Our Service

About Our Service

Our Service is divided into four distinct sections or acts, with God as the focus:

We Enter with Joy and Anticipation
As we enter the sanctuary we are greeted by inspiring architecture, flowers, candlelight and music.  These elements are meant to invoke a “separate space” from our every day world.  The musical prelude is offered as a time for centering oneself to allow personal reflection on what we are about to do together – worship the Creator.

Call to Worship or Opening Sentences: The pastor greets the people in the name of God and the people typically respond by declaring God’s greatness and their assurance of God’s presence.

Hymn of Praise: This hymn typically evokes the majesty of God and is meant to help us turn our attention to God’s greatness and love

Gathering Prayer or Litany:  In unison or responsively, we declare our belief and our intention to enter into worship with our whole hearts.

We listen for our Still Speaking God

The Reading of Scripture: We are “people of the Book.”  Broadway is unusual in that we hear all the lessons of the day, as appointed by the Revised Common Lectionary, either read to us or in singing.  Readings are often interspersed with choral music or congregational singing.  Laypersons and the pastor share the readings each week.  After the Gospel reading, we enter an extended time of silence to reflect upon what we have heard and open ourselves to the light of Christ.

The Peace: The Peace of Jesus Christ is passed between us.  Many people move out of their seats and greet one another.  Some people shake hands.  Others exchange an embrace.  And still others are more comfortable to stay where they are seated and greet those immediately around them.  The peace is concluded by the singing of a hymn.

The Sermon is offered by the pastor or visiting speaker.  Sermons at Broadway are informed by Scripture, scholarship and personal insight.  The sermon is also meant to provoke a response in the way we live our Christian lives.

The Pastoral Prayer follows the sermon and asks God’s help in the living out of the Gospel.  We also take this time to pray for the specific needs of the congregation.  A Prayer Request form is included in the bulletin and can be given to the Pastor during the Passing of the Peace.  The prayer is concluded by the people joining together in the "Prayer of our Savior (Lord’s Prayer)."

We Respond to our Still Speaking God

The Welcome and Announcements

The Offertory:  The offertory is our joyful and practical response to the Good News of Jesus Christ.  While the offering is collected, the choir or soloist presents music inspired by the sermon, the readings, or the season of the year.  After the offering is collected, the ushers bring it to the altar while we sing a Doxology.  Then one of the ushers leads the congregation in a Prayer of Dedication.

We Depart to Serve

Hymn of Commission: This hymn is usually a reaffirmation of the theme of the sermon or season of the year. 

Blessing and Benediction: The pastor or preacher of the day reminds the people of God’s promises and invoke God’s blessing on us all.

The Postlude: We remain seated as we listen.  Our final act of worship is to once again be silent and listen for our Still Speaking God.