WORSHIP AT EMMANUEL CHURCH

CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP

Ephesians 5:19 -- "...speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord..." (CSB)

 

Colossians 3:16 -- "Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (CSB)

WHAT IS WORSHIP

 

Worship is the act of ascribing worth to God for who He is.

This takes many forms. As Romans 12:1 (CSB) says:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God,
I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship."

Worship, then, is not just something we do—it's how we live. Every part of our lives should reflect the infinite worth of God.

 

CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP AROUND THE WORD

Preach the Word | Read the Word | Pray the Word | Sing the Word | See the Word | Do the Word

 

At Emmanuel Church, our weekly services are gospel-shaped, built on the rhythm of revelation and response to God's Word.

We use the ordinary means of grace God has given to His Church to encounter the Living God. Our part then is to respond with praise, lament, thanksgiving, and obedience. 

 

We begin each service with a Call to Worship that focuses our attention on the specific worship theme for the day. We sing, read Scripture, pray, and sit under expository preaching aimed at showing the excellencies of God, His graces towards us, and how the gospel is to be lived out in the world. 

 

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING AS WORSHIP IN OUR GATHERING

 

By “congregational,” we mean everyone gathered together on Sunday morning.

During our singing, congregational worship happens when we all lift our voices together—out loud and with joy.

 

When singing is done collectively, and at a volume where we can hear one another, several important things happen:

1. We prioritize the congregation.
This stands in contrast to the cultural norm of emphasizing the worship band or stage.

In fact, studies suggest that when people can hear others sing, they are more likely to sing themselves.

 

2. We reflect the biblical vision of the church as a unified body.
Singing together reminds us that worship is not an individual performance or private moment, but a shared expression of our common faith.

 

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING AS BUILDING COMMUNITY

 

If worship were primarily about musical excellence, mood lighting, or the performance of a band or choir,

then we could just stream it online from the comfort of our homes. After all, the concert experience and celebrity preaching are readily available on our screens.

 

But there is something supernatural about the local church gathering—something you can’t replicate online.

When we gather to sing, pray, read Scripture, and share life together, we experience the living presence of God through the Spirit-formed community.

 

WHAT MAKES OUR SUNDAY MORNINGS DISTINCT?

 

At Emmanuel Church, we want every person to take ownership of the worship we offer together—especially through singing.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Music that serves the congregation.
The accompaniment supports—not overwhelms—the voices of the people. The volume is balanced so that instruments are heard, but the congregation can still hear itself singing.

 

2. Songs that are theologically rich and accessible.
Our songs are grounded in biblical truth, centered on the Trinity, and meant to be sung by the whole church—not just a select few.

 

3. Lighting that encourages shared worship.
We keep the lights on during most of the service to emphasize that we are worshiping together.

This visible awareness of one another reflects the biblical truth that when one member rejoices, we all rejoice; when one suffers, we all suffer.

We sing with one voice to our Father.

 

While there are meaningful times for personal reflection and intimacy with God, the Sunday gathering emphasizes the corporate nature of our worship. At select moments—such as during corporate prayer or the invitation following the sermon—the lights may dim to create space for reflection. But even then, we are together.