By John Crane
The throngs who pass the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in early September will see "God Pinches" on the bulletin board outside the church. Some will pause a second and consider its meaning. Others will scurry by after briefly noting the title.
Those who attend worship on Sunday, September 13 will find out exactly why “God Pinches” during the sermon – the first in a series on worship. Sermons on 10 Sundays in September through November will cover different parts of the worship service – from the call to worship to the benediction
“The sermon is one of many important elements in the worship experience,” said Senior Pastor Dr. Scott Black Johnston, who will be preaching on most Sundays. “In fact, the worship service is a microcosm of our Christian life as we carry out our faith week after week. During worship, we are called by God, we confess our sins, we are forgiven, we are embraced by God, we affirm our faith, and then we go out to serve the world that God loves.”
Why a Sermon?
At FAPC, sermons help teach the word of God and show worshippers how to apply that word in their daily lives. In preparing for a sermon, Dr. Black Johnston spends about 20 hours studying the Bible, reading what others say about that Sunday’s Biblical passage, and then writing and rewriting the text. He also draws on 10 years’ experience teaching students how to preach at Austin Seminary in Texas – one of nine seminaries sponsored by the Presbyterian Church USA.
“There is more than one way to preach,” he said. “I like to help people understand our basic Christian faith and then show them how to apply our faith once they leave worship. One of the strengths of the Reformation is that it placed Biblical texts in the hands of worshippers. By knowing what the Bible said, people were able to change how they conducted their lives by adopting Biblical principles. I hope my sermons teach and inspire our congregation to go out into the world and carry out Christ’s teachings.”
Serving the world has more to do with how we do it than what we do, the Senior Pastor noted. The Bible, he said, encourages people to find careers in whatever way they might be called – whether they are teachers, bankers, homemakers, or street sweepers. Worship helps people serve the Lord ethically and with compassion in their careers and daily activities.
Everything Has a Role
The entire service, in fact, supports this approach. After the call to worship, congregants confess their sins and are assured that God has pardoned them. The scriptures, sermon, prayers, hymns, and music enable worshippers to listen for God’s word. Once a month, the congregation participates in the two Sacraments of the church – infant or adult baptism and Holy Communion.
Worship at FAPC also reflects the liturgical year that has been practiced by the church for centuries. Homecoming in September celebrates the return of the faithful at the start of a new year. Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter commemorate the coming, the life, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each event influences the selection of music, Scripture, and preaching.
“I realize that there have been changes in our order of worship that some people may find confusing,” said Dr. Black Johnston. “Basically, we are following a historic Christian format that is used by many churches today. It gives equal weight to each element in the worship service, starting with the confession, receiving God’s pardon, understanding what God has in mind for each of us, and then responding by serving God in a world in need. I hope the new worship series will help the congregation understand the role that each element of worship plays on Sunday mornings.”
Why Do We Worship The Way We Do?
Why is there a call to worship? A prayer of confession? An affirmation of faith? A sermon? Or even announcements?
Each element of worship at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church will be examined during a 10-week sermon series running from September through November. Most sermons will be preached by Senior Pastor Dr. Scott Black Johnston.
“I call the series – Thanks and Praise,” he said. “As we examine each element of worship, we will try to answer several questions. Where did these practices come from? What are their spiritual roots? Do they tell us anything about who God is? Do they draw us closer to Jesus? What meaning do they have for us today?
Passing the Peace
It happens every Sunday during worship. After the congregation has been assured that God has forgiven them, everyone stands up and shakes the hands of neighbors. The greeting is accompanied by -- ”The peace of Christ be with you.”
Why does this greeting take place in the middle of a worship service?
“It connects us to others who are worshipping,” said Senior Pastor Dr. Scott Black Johnston. “After all, we are not just individual worshippers. We are part of a congregation that supports each other in good times and bad. It is therefore natural that we would want to share the good news that God loves us and forgives us.”
Obviously, those who are contagious should avoid shaking hands and just greet their neighbors, the Senior Pastor added. Also, as a precaution, congregants may wish to use the disinfectant hand cream found in the bottles in the pew racks.
