Music
The first thing you might notice about us, aside from our
friendly greeters, is our music. Music has always been an important part of
worshipping God. From the song of Moses and the tambourine of Miriam (Ex.
15:1,20), to today’s modern expressions of praise, God’s people have always
worshipped through the good gift of music. While sentiment remains the same,
musical stylings change from age to age. Most of our music here at Walnut Creek
Evangelical Friends Church is contemporary, however, we still have a soft-spot
for hymns; you’re likely to hear one or two every service. This is what some
people call a “blended” service. We call it “blessed.”
Musical moods range from celebratory to solemn, upbeat to
reflective. You may hear and see people upon occasion, move and clap. Don’t be
alarmed! God’s people have always expressed themselves in a number of
worshipful ways (2 Sam. 6:14-15; Psalm 47:1; John 12:12-13).
Open Worship
The next thing you’re likely to hear is … nothing!
Generally each service we have a time of Open Worship. We
enter this time through silent prayer and reflection, seeking earnestly to
listen to the Spirit of Christ with our hearts instead of our ears. Though we
enter this time in silence, we don’t always end that way! God’s people are
often prompted by the Holy Spirit to stand and share what the Lord has given
them. The Lord may move people to bear their testimony, or move others to share
some encouragement. Another might share a point of personal growth or praise,
or the Spirit’s illumination of some passage in the Bible. Someone might be
impressed by the Lord to simply read a section of Scripture, or pray aloud
acknowledging God’s moving and blessing in their life. All this is done in the
power of the Spirit, with gentleness, humility, love, and respect.
Every five weeks or so, an entire service will consist of
Open Worship time.
Announcements,
Children’s Church, and Greeting Time
Sometime after Open Worship, announcements will be made
regarding future events and current service opportunities. Also, information
already found in your bulletin will be highlighted and expanded upon. Children
and youth are then released to their respective classrooms. We love children
and are very pleased to provide a time of special activity and instruction just
for them!
The Message
This is followed by a message from our pastor. The
pastor’s goal is to prayerfully seek out, and then speak, on whatever the Lord
would have him present to the church. The Bible and all that God reveals to us
within its pages are an inseparable and authoritative part of each message.
Fellowship Meal
After the message, the worship service might conclude with
a song or a prayer … often both! But, don’t be fooled! “Church” continues next
door in our Fellowship Hall, where more often than not, a meal has already been
prepared by volunteers who are happy to serve Jesus and YOU in this very way!
Offering?
Sitting through our worship service, you may miss something
familiar to most churches, yet missing from ours: an offering plate! At Walnut
Creek Friends Church, we don’t pass an offering plate, basket, or bag around
during service. Instead, we have an offering “chest” in the foyer, where people
may give discreetly according to the prompting the Spirit of Christ, and not out
of compulsory guilt or wrong motivation. At Walnut Creek Evangelical Friends,
we view our tithes and offerings as a privileged obedience. We may call your
attention to the offering chest in the foyer, but we will not pass it around!
We want people to give generously and from the heart!
