Where should I go? Our service begins in the sanctuary at 11am on Sunday mornings. If you need wheelchair access you are invited to enter through the north entrance. There is easy access to the sanctuary from this door.
Are children welcome? Yes! Jesus said, "Let the children come to me," and we welcome the praise of children in our congregation. We have nursery care for the littlest ones among us, and also invite children between ages 3 and 7 to participate in Kids' Kirk after the children's message in worship. Click here to learn more.
What “style” of worship will I find? At Mt. Horeb we try to stay away from labeling the different forms and ways of worshiping our Triune God. While most would consider our service to be more traditional in style as we often follow a classic Reformed liturgy, we strive to be faithfully creative as we worship and praise the Lord.
The Psalmist declares in Psalm 150: “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!” And, indeed, praise is one of the chief ends of our worship. Yet, remarkably, as we are gathered by the Holy Spirit for praise and as we enter into the rhythms of worship we find that God uses worship as a space for us to grow, lament, learn, and re-commit ourselves to being a people who live by grace. So in our worship as we are gathered to lift our hearts and voices to the Triune God of grace, we also pray that we would be attuned to the work of God’s Spirit in ourselves. Below you’ll see a typical order of worship for a Sunday morning at Mt. Horeb. At least once a month, on the first Sunday, we also come to the Lord’s Table to celebrate the joyous feast of communion, where Christ himself spiritually nourishes us for lives as his disciples. All who are baptized and confess Jesus Christ as Lord are welcome at the table.
The Order of Worship THE GATHERING OF GOD'S PEOPLE Prelude A musical prelude gives us a sign to begin centering our hearts for worship. WelcomeThe pastor and members make brief announcements about opportunities for worship, witness, and fellowship. Sharing the Peace We recognize the peace God shares with us through Christ as we share a sign of that peace with each other. Call to Worship We are invited into worship through words, often from Scripture, reminding us of why we’re here. Songs of Praise We sing a song(s) of praise to God Prayer of Confession Together we confess our sinfulness out loud and silently. Kyrie/Sung Response As part of our confession we sing, usually ancient words of worship: “Kyrie Elieson” / Lord have mercy. Assurance of Pardon Having confessed our sin, we are reminded that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Gloria We sing joyfully to God for his work of forgiving our sin.
THE WORD FOR GOD'S PEOPLE Children’s Message Children are invited to join together in the front for a special message for them Prayer for Illumination We pray, specifically asking God to speak to us through Scripture by his Holy Spirit. First Lesson Our first lesson of Scripture is read by a member of the congregation. Choral Anthem The choir sings an anthem relating to the Scripture passages for the day Second Lesson Our second lesson of Scripture is read by Pastor Ytterock, often as part of the sermon. Sermon The pastor preaches a biblically-rooted sermon. Hymn of Response We respond to the Word, read and proclaimed, by singing out to God. Affirmation of Faith We declare the faith we have inherited, by reciting the Apostles’ Creed or another statement of faith.
THE RESPONSE OF GOD'S PEOPLE Sharing our Joys and Concerns We share those areas in our lives which cause for celebration or concern and we pray. Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer We turn to lift up prayers for our world, community, and church. Offering Our Gifts & Lives We give financial gifts as a sign of our trust in God and what God is doing in and through us. Doxology We lift our voices together and praise God for God’s steadfast love. Thanksgiving and Dedication We give thanks and ask that our gifts and lives would be used for the service of God's kingdom.
THE SENDING OF GOD'S PEOPLE Sending Hymn We are sent into the world by joining our voices in song. Charge and Benediction The pastor gives a charge to the congregation and a blessing. Choral ResponseThe choir gives final response to all God has done in our time of worship.