Churches have different ways of making clear that a service is about to start. Ordinary greetings such as 'Good Morning' or 'Welcome' make people feel comfortable and link what we do with everyday human encounters. But biblically-based prayers (such as 1.1 - 1.2), or reminders of our purpose in meeting together (such as 1.4 - 1.7), focus our attention on God and what we might expect from him. God has called us together and we should acknowledge that from the beginning, in the way we speak to him or speak about him. A well-chosen hymn or song may also fulfil some of these introductory functions.
(THE BOOK OF WORSHIP 1965, ALT.) Christmas Eve, Day or Season. Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (LUKE 2:10) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Forgive us our lack of attention to Your Word, our failure to seek and find what we need from the source of all our joy. Help us to repent, to turn in the right direction this very moment, that we may fulfill Your commandment to love You with all that we are, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. May we indeed worship You today with all our heart.
Opening Statements For Worship Service
Introductions 1.4 and 1.5 can be extended to give a seasonal or thematic emphasis, or lead straight to an invitation to confess sins (see section 4). There may be special events in the life of the congregation to be noted.But, above all, it is important to focus attention on God and the prospect of listening to his word and responding with prayer and praise.We have not come together merely to have fellowship with one another or to encourage one another, but to meet with God.
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:15. Inhabit Our Praises Prayer. O Lord, our God, you are worthy of all our praise. You are the God who.
1.1 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and also with you. |
1.2 | Grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, be with you and also with you. Cf. 1 Timothy 1:2 |
1.3 | (In the Easter season) Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! |
1.4 | (Friends in Christ) We have come together to meet with God, to express our fellowship in the Lord Jesus, and to take our part in the building of his church. We will praise and thank him for his goodness towards us, hear from his holy word, and pray for the world, and for ourselves. (Especially today . . .) |
1.5 | We have come together in the name of Christ, to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God's holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God. (Especially today . . .) Common Worship |
1.6 | We meet in the presence of God, who knows our needs, hears our cries, feels our pain, and heals our wounds. |
1.7 | Since we believe that Jesus our Saviour has ascended into heaven, and opened the way into God's presence for us. let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith; let us hold fast to the hope we profess; and let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds. Cf. Hebrews 10:19-25 |
You asked, and WorshipWeb responded! Many of our users requested a separate section of words to open a service. What you'll find here reflects an understanding that the power of worship is in setting tone, and the worship leader's (or leaders') ability to hold the space for all that's possible.
Prayer Of Invocation For Worship Service
In some congregations, the welcome is -- understandably -- saturated with announcements and logistical information. We encourage you to make your congregation's welcome more powerful than that: to name your purpose, as a gathering, and to form a container of compassion and vision.
Search Words for Worship Services
Welcome
Opening Words For Worship Services
- All of us are welcome here; all of us are loved(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Beginnings, Compassion, Inclusion, Interdependence, Living Our Faith, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism
- As We Proclaim Worth(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: Community, Humanism, Purpose, Secular, Unitarian Universalism
- Be Here, in This Moment(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Body, Fear, Forgiveness, Inclusion, Vulnerability
- Bringing All Ages Together(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: Children, Connections, Generations, Hospitality
- Come Whoever You Are(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: Acceptance, Community, Diversity, WorshipWeb
- Sanctuary of the Soul(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Connections, Direct Experience, Friendship, Home, Secular, Strength, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
- The beauty of the whole(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Community, Diversity, Inclusion, Purpose
- To learn more about being human(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Community, Direct Experience, Humility, Identity, Purpose, Vulnerability
- We Are Glad You Are Here(WorshipWeb)
- We Who Bring a Saving Message(WorshipWeb)Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Community, Inclusion, Interdependence, Peace, Purpose, Unity