Worship at Grace

Worship at Grace

Multiple sources today cite statistics that the Christian church in America is in decline.  Many churches have responded to make worship more ‘friendly’ to the unchurched in their communities.  But has it come at a cost to the church itself?  Is ‘Worship’ to be nothing more than a concert with a ‘Ted Talk’ sandwiched in between?  Whose desires should the ministry of the church appeal to:  man’s or God’s?  (Pastor van Eyk explores this deeper with a couple videos further down the page.)

The Greek word for ‘church’ is ekklesia or, the ‘called-out ones.’  Our Lord speaks of the ones whom He has and will redeem as ‘My Sheep.’  And as His sheep, they will hear His voice…they will be ‘called out’ to enjoy fellowship with Him and His people.  The Lord still speaks today, through the ministry of His Word.  Grace Church seeks to make sure that His voice is heard and that His sheep are well cared for.

We know from the Scriptures, and our own experience, that sin has left its mark upon us:  our sin, sins against us and those we love, sins we’ve done to others, and a conscience that testifies that we have grieved God.  From the Garden until the return of Christ, God comes to His people, and to those who are not (yet), to let them know what He has done through Christ that we may have peace with Him.  That’s the message of the Gospel.  That’s the ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church. 

So, whether you’re a wounded sheep, a lost sheep, a black sheep, or not sure even if you’re part of the flock, Grace Church extends to you and your children the call of Christ that’s found in Matthew 11:  ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and you will find rest for your souls.’

Please Join us at Grace Church each Lord’s Day at 10:30 am and 5:00 pm.  If circumstances are such that you are unable to be physically present, please join us for our live stream at the appropriate times.

What to Expect

Fellowship

Encouraged by a multi-ethnic demographic, we are a fellowship of believers spanning the ages from infancy to  elderly who eagerly extend a kind welcome and encouragement to friends and visitors in the name of Jesus Christ.

Worship

Because of the new and living way available to us through the atoning work of our Lord Jesus Christ, we approach His presence with reverence and awe, prayer, repentance, singing joyfully with songs of praise and thanksgiving.  The worship service is ordered in a manner which the Lord has laid out in the Scriptures about how His people are to approach Him.  Historically, this has been called the Regulative Principal of Worship.  An example of our order of worship can be found here.

Since we are Presbyterian and have our hope grounded in God’s covenantal promises, children are encouraged to remain in the worship service that they also may hear their God through the ministry of the Word.  Peter encouraged his hearers in his great Acts 2 sermon that the promises of God were for us and for our children. 

If small children need step away from the service, or are inconsolable, Grace Church provides both a staffed nursery (ages 3 and under) as well as a mother/baby room for nursing, rocking, or privacy where the service can be watched through a one-way glass window.

Word and Sacrament

The faith that we need comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  The Apostles and saints of old exhorted the church to remember that the primary means God uses to  speak to His people, aided by the internal work of the Holy Spirit, is the preaching of the Word of God.

But not only the ‘audible’ Word, we must also have the ‘visible’ Word – the Sacraments.  Our Lord knows we struggle in our faith to believe His promises to us.  Therefore, He gives us visible signs and seals to assure us He is for us and not against us.  As such, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated twice monthly and is open to Grace members and communing members in good standing from other evangelical churches.  In addition, as He blesses us with new members and babies, He grants covenant baptism that He may mark His people as set apart from all others.

3 Considerations on Worship from the Westminster Confession of Faith