Liturgy in Our Church
The liturgy of Holy Trinity Reformed Church is an ordered service of worship in which the congregation meets the living God through His Word and the sacraments. We believe that the Sunday gathering is not a “religious event” and not a performance by a few individuals, but the shared work of God’s people: the Lord calls, cleanses, teaches, feeds, and blesses His Church, and we respond with faith, prayer, singing, and obedience.
Our liturgy is Reformed in character: it is biblical, Christ-centered, accessible, and aimed at forming disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. Especially important to us is that worship is a liturgy of covenant renewal: again and again God confirms His promises in Christ, and the congregation responds with repentance, faith, and obedience. That is why we celebrate the Eucharist at every service.
1) Worship as Covenant Renewal
In the Reformed tradition, worship can be described as a covenant dialogue between God and His people. The initiative belongs to God: He calls, speaks, cleanses, blesses, and feeds. The Church responds with prayer, singing, confession, thanksgiving, and dedication.
This covenant rhythm reflects the very logic of the Gospel:
God’s grace comes to us first,
our response is born of faith,
and the life of the Church is shaped around Christ, who is the Mediator of the New Covenant.
Therefore, for us the liturgy is not a mechanical repetition, but a regular, real “entering into” God’s promises—so that we may hear the Gospel again, be strengthened in faith, and go out into the world as God’s people.
2) The Order of Worship: From Call to Commission
Although the elements of worship may vary to some extent, the overall structure preserves the Reformed logic:
The Call to Worship and Opening Prayers
Worship begins with God’s call from Scripture. This reminds us that we do not “initiate” worship; we respond to God’s invitation. The congregation then prays together and praises the Lord.
Confession of Sin and the Proclamation of Grace
In the light of God’s holiness, the Church acknowledges sin and the need for cleansing. After confession, the word of the Gospel is proclaimed: forgiveness and reconciliation are given to us in Christ. This is the moment when the whole congregation once again stands on the firm foundation of grace.
Reading of Holy Scripture According to the Lectionary
In our Scripture readings we follow a lectionary arranged in a three-year cycle. In this way, over three years the congregation systematically engages the whole of Holy Scripture in public reading and preaching.
For us, the lectionary is not a “formality,” but an important spiritual discipline. It:
- helps the Church live within the rhythm of the church year and the unified biblical story of salvation;
- disciplines the preacher to proclaim all of Scripture, not only “favorite” texts or topics;
- makes the congregation’s teaching consistent and clear, forming a biblical worldview.
The Sermon
The sermon explains the read biblical text and applies it to life. We seek for the sermon to be:
- text-centered (arising from a specific passage),
- Christ-centered (leading to Christ and the Gospel),
- practical (showing the implications of faith for daily life).
Congregational Prayers and the Confession of Faith
Worship includes time for corporate prayer: thanksgiving, petitions, intercession for the Church, the city, the country, people’s needs, and mission. We also confess the faith together—through creeds or catechetical formulations—so that our unity may be not only emotional, but also theological.
3) The Eucharist as the Center of Every Liturgy
In a covenant renewal liturgy, it is natural that worship leads to the Lord’s Table. That is why we celebrate the Lord’s Supper at every service.
For us, the Eucharist is:
- thanksgiving to God for the salvation accomplished by Christ;
- remembrance in which the Church not only recalls, but also lives in the reality of the Gospel;
- participation in Christ, who strengthens the faith of His Church;
- a sign of the unity of the Body of Christ, as we receive one bread and one cup as God’s people.
We approach Communion with reverence and faith, in self-examination and gratitude, receiving it as God’s gift for comfort, strengthening, and sanctification.
4) Blessing and Commission
Worship concludes with God’s blessing. These are not merely pleasant words at the end, but a proclamation that the Lord goes with His people and sends them to live the Christian life—in family, work, and society—to be witnesses of Christ and bearers of His peace.
We invite you to join the common worship of Holy Trinity Reformed Church. Whether you have believed for a long time or are only seeking answers, come with us to hear God’s Word, to pray, to praise the Lord, and in faith to come to the Lord’s Supper. We will be glad to welcome you, get to know you better, and grow together in Christ as one congregation of God’s covenant.