What is Reformed Worship?

Worship at the Palo Alto Christian Reformed Church draws on 2000 years of tradition and experience within the broader Christian church. Our goal is to blend the best of the rich traditions of the past with the best of contemporary expressions of worship. In doing so, we hope to give each worshipper the means and the opportunity to exercise both mind and heart whenever we come together to know and adore God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

With roots in the 16th Century, distinctively Reformed worship dates back to John Calvin. Radical at the time, his liturgies introduced the basic principles, as well as some detailed specifics, that we use in Palo Alto. First and foremost, Reformed worship is characterized by the centrality of the Word of God, given to us in the Bible. This is why the sermon, a teaching from Scripture delivered by an ordained minister, has the premier place in our services. Other elements are sometimes omitted, but the sermon is always included. We also emphasize the importance of the Word by placing the pulpit in the front and center of the worship center.

Other elements that distinguish Reformed worship are the salutation (greeting from God, delivered by the minister), the corporate confession of sin, and the assurance of God's pardon, followed by the reading of the law as a guide for thankful living. With the greater Christian community we confess our faith through the creeds, we pray, we bring an offering, we celebrate the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and we receive God's blessing as we are sent out to serve in our homes, schools and offices.

Is this church contemporary or traditional?

The technical term for the PACRC's worship style is "convergence worship". While many churches have responded to the contemporary versus traditional controversy by offering two separate services with separate identities and constituencies, we try to blend the best of both into one service. This does not mean, however, that every service has the same character. All services, however, are based on the principles of Reformed worship outlined above.

Is the furniture arrangement significant?

When you first step into our worship center you will probably notice the unusual arrangement of the furniture. At the door you pass the baptismal font, placed there to symbolize that baptism is our entrance into the church. The congregational seating focuses on the communion table to remind us that both our worship and our fellowship take place because Jesus has invited us to gather around the table in remembrance of him. The pulpit is placed centrally to emphasize the importance of the Word proclaimed.

Who may participate in communion?

We celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper once each month. The style varies from one in which we remain seated while the bread and the cup are passed to us, to one in which we stand around the table and share one loaf. We invite all who have been baptized and have made a commitment to Jesus to join with us in this special time of remembrance and of unity with God and with each other.

Why is there a reader?

Worship is a dialogue between God and his people. At times we listen to God, and at times we speak to God. To assure that we do this in good order, the words of the congregation are expressed silently, or are sung or spoken in unison. Sometimes the "reader" represents the voice of the congregation in this dialogue. The minister ordinarily represents the voice of God.

How does it all fit together?

We can remember the elements of worship with acronym ACTSS, for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, and service. Our worship service begins when we meet together to adore God. Having experienced the presence, the love and the holiness of God, we are humbled, and we respond with confession of our sin. Thankful for God's pardon, we offer our thanks and supplication through the congregational prayer. After we hear the teaching from the Bible, we respond by offering our money and our lives in service to God, the church, and the world.

Still have questions?

Please come, visit, and experience for yourself the joy of celebrating God at Palo Alto Christian Reformed Church. Of course, if it's more convenient to call, then please do! You can reach us at (650) 493-1152. Or email us at info@pacrc.org, or just keep browsing!