In her
Shepherd’s Voice on September 10, Sister Esther Lau spoke to us about “The 5 Major
Elements of Sunday Worship”. Besides that basic knowledge, this writer would
like to remind everyone of certain aspects requiring attention during Sunday
Worship.
1.
Dressing
respectfully and neatly – When coming before God and remembering the Lord on His
day, disciples must draw near and worship with a reverential heart. If we truly
fear God in our hearts, that will be reflected in our behavior and attire.
Christians (including members of both sexes and all ages) must dress
respectfully and neatly, to be adorned with appropriate and decent clothing
when attending Sunday service. Brothers should endeavor to wear suits and
leather shoes. Youth would be more seemly in dress shirts and pants. The attire
of sisters should be proprietary and becoming, not resorting to accoutrements
of gold or silver, but befitting the decorum of disciples. Do not follow the
latest revealing trend, but be discreet in your apparel. Parents should set a
good example and teach their progeny to respect and fear God in all things, and
to glorify God on the Lord’s Day through their clothing. It is not appropriate
to wear jeans and sneakers to be in audience with God at Sunday Worship.
2.
Punctuality
– We should be on time when attending all gatherings at the church and not come
late or leave early. No matter whether we are joining the 9 AM Breaking of
Bread Service or the 10 AM Worship and Sermon Service, we should arrive 5 to 10
minutes prior to the start. Arriving earlier at the church has many benefits –
we will have more time to avoid being late due to traffic congestion or
unexpected incidents en route, and we will not be rushed when parking. Consider
that when going to a job interview or important appointment, we will always be
punctual and not casually come late or leave early. Now we are meeting with God
who created the heaven and the earth, should we not be even more punctual?
Being timely at Sunday Worship indicates that we revere God and hold a
gathering with His presence in high esteem.
3.
Silently
pray and wait – Upon arrival at the meeting venue, we should first silently
pray before God for one’s self, the members in service, the Lord’s servant and
the congregation. Since Sunday Worship is a gathering that has Jesus Christ as
its focus, we should be well prepared to interact with our Heavenly Father in
mind and soul. Before the service, turn off all cell phones and then
concentrate on praying, worshipping and listening to the sermon.
4.
Our
attitude during the service – At the service we should put aside all worldly
concerns and concentrate our thoughts, energy and emotions on worshipping our
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We should be earnest in our exaltation,
dedicated in our singing of praises, and attentive in our listening of sermons.
Don’t let your thoughts wander, but be of one mind with any member leading a
prayer. In order to avoid forgetting the Lord’s words, notes can be taken
during a sermon. Those members to arrive first should endeavor to sit farther
up the hall and not block the aisles, so that late-arriving members can find
seats and not disrupt the service with their entrance. Those members caring for
infants should conscientiously bring their infants to the nursery on the second
floor, so as not to affect the atmosphere of the service in the sanctuary. The
parents gathering in the nursery should also keep their concentration, for they
too are in an audience with God. After the service, the members should put into
practice their love and consideration by greeting and interacting with other
members nearby, and expressing their regard and concern to new friends,
actively introducing themselves and the church. Hymnals should be returned
neatly to the under-seat racks after use.
Finally, this writer wishes to
mutually exhort you with the words of Paul: “I am saying this for your own
good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided
devotion to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:35)
By: Daniel To