Why I Like Our Style of Worship, 3

This is the third in this series. Here is the first.

In this post I'll be dealing with these elements of our service:

Reading of the Law of God 

Confession of Sin 

Declaration of Pardon

Hymn 

Here's another reason why I like our liturgy. Every week we rehearse the Gospel. That starts with the 'Reading of the Law of God'. Here, some command of God is read. It might be from the Old Testament or the New. So, as an example, here is a command that we've used.

If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5.23-24)

God speaks to us and reminds us of His expectations of us. This is His Law for us, intended to guide us into holy living. However, we do not obey His Law as we should. We sin. So, we need to confess that sin and ask for the forgiveness that Jesus has provided. So, for that command from Matthew we have offered this 'Confession of Sin' that we pray together.

Our Father, we do not recognize how evil it is to fail to be reconciled to each other. All too often we fail to deal with sins against each other. We fail to resolve problems that separate us. We try to ignore these problems instead of trying to solve them. We stand condemned. We ask that You might forgive us this sin by the blood of Jesus’ Cross. Please teach us the ways of right living in our families and in our church so that the world might see the fruit of the Gospel in our lives. Amen. 

God has spoken, and we have responded. Conversation. 

Then, He speaks again. Because of Jesus, He grants our request and speaks words of forgiveness, the 'Declaration of Pardon'. Here's one of the places of Scripture that we might read at this point.

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1.18)

Once again, God has spoken and so, once again, we respond. This time we respond with singing: a 'Hymn'. Our first hymn is always tied in some way to how Jesus has come to save us, to forgive us our sins. So, we might sing something like 'O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing' or 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross'. And the conversation continues.