Order of Service

Entrance of the consistory and silent prayer

We silently pray for God's blessing on the service.

Welcome and Announcements

Attendees are welcomed, and a blessed service is wished upon them. Announcements follow, such as those related to activities in the congregation for the upcoming week.

Votum and Greeting

The pastor (minister or elder) says:

"Our help is in the Name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth, who keeps faith forever and ever and does not forsake the works of His hands" (based on Psalm 124:8 and Psalm 138:8).
If a minister is leading, the following is added: "Grace and peace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven spirits who are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Amen" (Revelation 1:4-5).

Singing

During the service, we sing several verses from the Psalms. Psalms are hymns from the Bible expressing the thoughts and feelings of believers. Singing can bring the heart closer to God. The Psalms to be sung during the services are indicated on boards at the front of the church.

Reading of the Law or the Apostles’ Creed

In the Sunday morning service, we read God's Law, the Ten Commandments, given to Moses (see Exodus 20:1-17). In the Sunday afternoon service, we read the Apostles' Creed.

Singing

Following the Law or the Creed, we sing a Psalm or a hymn.

Scripture Reading

We listen to the reading of a passage from the Bible, indicated on the board at the front of the church. This passage usually corresponds to the topic of the sermon.

Prayer

The pastor leads in prayer. In the prayer, we offer thanks to God, acknowledge and confess our sins, shortcomings, and faults. We also ask God to look upon us with grace and bless the service. We pray for the pastor's guidance and especially for those in need, including the sick and needy in the congregation. Usually we also pray for the mission work and for persecuted Christians.

Singing and Offering

We sing a Psalm or a hymn. Before singing, an offering is collected. Collection bags are passed around, and attendees contribute. Typically:
• The first collection is for the relief fund (supporting the less fortunate locally and internationally).
• The second collection is for the Church (covering service expenses).
• The third is also for the Church (especially for the building and its maintenance).
• Occasionally, a fourth special collection may be held for a specific purpose.
Contributions can also be made via bank transfer.

Sermon (first part)

The pastor provides an explanation of the Bible passage read and presents the message. The sermon is usually divided into three points, which are addressed in succession. In the afternoon service, a chapter (Lord's Day) from the Heidelberg Catechism is sometimes the focus.

Singing

We sing a Psalm or a hymn.

Sermon (second part)

The pastor continues with the sermon.

Thanksgiving Prayer

After the sermon, a short prayer follows, thanking the Lord for the service we had together.

Singing

Finally, we sing a Psalm or a hymn.

Closing Blessing

Everyone stands, and the pastor blesses us on behalf of God.

Contact

If you have any questions about this service, feel free to contact us. Whether you want to learn more about the Bible, attend a service, meet one of us, or receive a Bible, we welcome your inquiries.
In any case, we appreciate that you chose to follow this service, and we hope it was an unforgettable encounter with God.