Isn't that Old School?

Our church has been intentionally multi-generational in her worship gatherings for years and years. I love that. We have children who sing their hearts out in the services and at home during the weeks. We have folks long-ago retired who lead out from their seats with full-throated, full-hearted singing. It is one of my favorite things about leading worship at Woodburn Baptist Church.

Given the movement toward newer music, more contemporary sounds, and a greater use of technology, it seems a bit odd that one of the most effective things we've done is add a Biblical call to worship and benediction.

Old school.

Timeless power.

In my Planning Center Online template I have a note under the call to worship that simply says, "something super brief and scriptural connected to the first song or the theme of the day."

I want it to stir the hearts of our people.

Here are several of the calls to worship that have resonated with our congregation:

Let the godly rejoice.
   Let them be glad in God's presence.
   Let them be filled with joy.
Sing praises to God and to his name!
   Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord--
   rejoice in his presence!
      Psalm 68:3-4

God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
      Ephesians 2:4-5

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
      1 Chronicles 29:11

Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
   Shout to God with joyful praise!
For the Lord Most High is awesome.
   He is the great King of all the earth.
      Psalm 47:1-2

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
      Romans 8:11

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear son.
      Ephesians 1:6

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
    He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything
   in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
   and the things we can't see--
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
   Everything was created through him and for him.
      Colossians 1:15-16

I will exalt you, my God and King,
   and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day;
   yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
   No one can measure his greatness.
      Psalm 145:1-3


Praise the Lord!
   How good to sing praises to our God!
How delightful and how fitting!
   He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars and calls them by name.
   How great is our Lord!"
      Psalm 147:1, 3, 4, 5a

For the Lord is good.
   His unfailing love continues forever,
   and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
      Psalm 100:5
      [Any/All of Psalm 100 is a great call to worship)

You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
      1 John 4:4


Sometimes I ask the congregation to read the verse with me. Other times I'll read it first and then have them repeat it with me. Still other times I'll pick a key word and have them say it. The goal, again, is to stir the hearts of God's people with God's word. Simply to read it may not be enough. Read it with all the dynamics the text calls for. 

This is also a great spot to plug in other team members or folks from the congregation. Expressive kids would be fabulous. Passionate senior adults. Key leaders. 

Next time... how we wrap up our services. Old school benedictions.