Music Ministry
When we gather to worship in spirit and truth, FBC Elm Mott’s music follows a progression of liturgy with a foundation in scripture. This progression is supported by the progression of worship in the throne room of God found in Isaiah 6. It is further supported by the proclamation of the Gospel and the ideas of future restoration.
Call to Worship
We begin our Sunday service with music that functions as a call to the congregation to shift their perspective and their attention towards gathering in worship. An example of this is found in Isaiah 6. The angels call to one another to worship God together in the first part of Isaiah’s vision.
“Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” ”
Song of Reflection
The next component in our liturgy is a song that allows the congregation to better understand the significance of gathering in worship. They are given the opportunity to reflect upon the love that they have shared and have been given this week. It is an opportunity to be filled with the love of God and recognize how great that love is. Isaiah recognizes his own insufficiency of love compared to God and cries out,
“And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” ”
However, God, in love, provides restoration to Isaiah’s lips and displays in a pre-gospel time that he is capable of forgiving sins.
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” ”
Song of the Gospel
Following the congregation’s reflection upon the love of God, we celebrate and remember the greatest display of love in the history of existence. The songs that sing of Gospel proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We remember and are encouraged by the perfect example of love. This love calls us to shift our perspective towards the salvation provided by Christ
Song of Declaration
The final song before the message portion of our gathering serves as encouragement to the congregation to recognize the blessings that they have received through being a part of the kingdom of God through Jesus. It is a time to declare that we are being prepared and restored for perfect unity with God because of our faith in the Gospel.
““Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.””
Song of Encouragement
Our song of encouragement functions as a time for the congregation to pray, personally worship through singing and speak with any member, deacon, or pastor about their spiritual, emotional, and psychological health. It is usually a song that emphasizes the importance of daily personal worship and connection to Christ. It encourages the congregation to imitate the love Christ showed to least of all as he showed love to them. It is the summary of all we have sung during the service.
“I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to God as long as I live.”