We are Called...to Worship

The membership of Manassas Presbyterian Church (MPC), like the rest of Northern Virginia, is diverse in religious background and has come to MPC for a variety of reasons: attractiveness of programs, convenience of location, the urgings of friends; the desire to try something new, the desire to seek out something familiar.

Though the functions of MPC are many, nothing has higher priority than worship. Worship services are traditional yet flexible in format.  The atmosphere is light-hearted and informal. Open to variety and creativity in sermons, the congregation expects any offering from the pulpit to be of high quality. Many church members feel called to participate in the worship experience as worship leaders.  Each service features a lay person ("liturgist").  Adults as well as youth lead worship as liturgists.

Worship Space

A massive sanctuary refurbishment effort was launched in 2002.  The chancel area was broadened and deepened. Its brand-new two-tone hardwood improves both aesthetics and acoustics.

Even though everything is shiny and new, to enter the sanctuary at MPC is to remember our roots. Incorporated into the design of the sanctuary and narthex are the stained glass windows removed from the original MPC building in Old Town Manassas. The bell in the tower, which rings every Sunday morning, was ceremoniously conveyed from the old building.

Seating in the sanctuary is configurable for changing needs and occasions. Rather than on pews, worshippers sit in upholstered chairs that can be locked together into rows or separated and rearranged.

Look up as you walk the center aisle; a golden beam leads you to the cross. The chancel area is open, and once again, configurable. It is approachable by steps or a ramp. A Steinway grand piano and a sophisticated electronic organ flank the ample choir lofts, designed to accommodate singers, handbell ringers, and other instrumentalists as needed.

Notice the parament that graces the pulpit. To the left of the pulpit stands the custom-made baptismal font. Constructed from the same two-tone wood as the rest of the chancel, it is topped with a graceful clear glass bowl. The bowl contains water at all times to remind us of the living water that cleanses and sustains us.

Music

In Colossians 3:16, Paul instructs the church to "teach one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." Our children's, youth, and adult choirs rely on hymns of the church and a variety of sacred music to present the Gospel and to offer an understanding of music. Those involved in choir leadership endeavor to provide participants with a variety of learning experiences to equip them with the skill, interest, and desire to praise God through music.

Musical participation builds community within the church and beyond. The music program at MPC provides choral experiences for members and their children from an early age. The long-range impact of early music exposure is great and beneficial, helping to develop positive attitudes toward and love of music, and providing exposure to a variety of musical styles. The offerings of the children's and youth choirs are integrated periodically into regular worship, and the adult choir is a weekly fixture. Music selection for all choirs is based not only on the skill level of the singers, but on message, relevance to the sermon topic, and seasonal appropriateness.

The music program at MPC features the following ensembles.

• Bethlehem Choir consists of children in grades K through 2. "Fun" is the purpose here, and the first small taste of worship leadership. The songs chosen are simple, repetitious, and easy to learn. Listening, watching, and staying together are some of the skills addressed, as well as, of course, singing out for joy!
• Nazareth Choir consists of children in grades 3 through 5. Skills instruction builds on what was learned in Bethlehem Choir, plus an introduction to hand bells or chimes. Singers wear robes for the first time, and are typically asked to sit in the choir loft throughout the service, thus expanding their experience in worship leadership. Child-centered anthems are learned from the printed page rather than by rote. Special Christmas presentations, regional choir festivals, and trips to sing in other churches may be included in their busy schedule.
• The newly-formed Capernaum Choir consists of children in grades 6 through 8. It was instituted to embrace the interests, attitudes, and vocal development of middle-school age children. Anthems, often contemporary, grow in difficulty. Experience with hand bells continues.
• Galilee Choir consists of young adults in grades 9 through 12. Galilee frequently combines with the Capernaum or Jerusalem choir to present special anthems and programs. The increasing vocal maturity of the singers drives anthem selection. Experience with hand bells continues.
• Jerusalem Choir is the adult singing choir. Anthems are typically polyphonic, and run the style gamut from classical to gospel to Christian pop. Each year, members of Jerusalem Choir join with church choir members from several area churches to present Voices United, a festival event hosted by Manassas Baptist Church.

There are two adult bell choirs. The Joyous Ringers is the more advanced ensemble, continually amazing the congregation with its beautiful and intricate offerings. The Matin Ringers, organized to provide a more "laid-back" environment for adult beginners, has flourished. Its contributions to Sunday morning worship have been delightful.

Music leadership is shared between paid staff and volunteers. The choirs at MPC are open to all, with no audition required. Unlike choirs which employ paid section leaders, all singers are volunteers. Those volunteers give generously of their time to ensure quality music offerings. The musical Godspell, for example, required over 200 hours of rehearsal.

The congregation plays an active roll in the music of worship by singing hymns and responses. The Presbyterian Hymnal contains hymns from all periods in church history. The hymnal supplement, Sing the Faith, contains additional contemporary hymns.

Sunday Morning Worship

From September through June, MPC offers two worship services each Sunday, one at 8:30am and one at 11:00am. During the summer months there is one service at 10:00am.

The Sunday morning congregation enters the sanctuary sharing the fellowship of friendly conversation. To begin the service, the pastor extends a welcome and reads announcements of general interest. A Moment for Mission may follow, wherein a member, usually representing the Mission Team, shares news of an opportunity for service.

The opportunity to center oneself for worship comes in the form of a musical voluntary, usually an organ piece performed by the Minister of Music, or a special anthem. The Call to Worship is typically a responsive reading printed in the bulletin, followed by a hymn.

Recognizing that none of us is without sin or error, the Call to Confession, read by the liturgist, invites us to bring our shortcomings before God. The congregation then reads the Unison Prayer of Confession from the bulletin. Silent prayers of confession follow. Trusting in God's grace, the liturgist reads the Declaration of Forgiveness. A joyful response, typically one verse of a hymn, is sung by the congregation.

At this point, the pastor greets the congregation with "May the peace of Christ be with you," to which the people reply, "And also with you." In this way, the Peace is passed from handshake to handshake, smile to smile, throughout the gathering of God's people. The sounds of organ music direct attention back to the pulpit, and a brief response is sung.

The Time with Children is a special part of every 11:00 service. The pastor, or occasionally another adult or youth, calls the children forward. Seated on the chancel steps, the children receive a version of the day's message in terms to which they can relate. Time with Children concludes with prayer, after which the children return to their parents or exit the sanctuary to enjoy additional age-appropriate activities.

A prayer for illumination prepares hearts and minds to hear readings from the Old and New Testaments. The sermon follows.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the ushers take up the offering, to the accompaniment of an organ piece or choir anthem. The liturgist reads a prayer of dedication.

The Prayers of the People are published for inclusion in each member's daily prayer life. The list is available in the narthex or by email. In worship, the pastor highlights these concerns and those of the nation and world. This segment of worship concludes with the Lord's Prayer, prayed in unison, and followed with a hymn.

If the service is to include communion, it may be served at this time. Communion is served by pew or intinction. The congregation that attends the 11:00 service receives communion on the first Sunday of each month. Communion is offered at the 8:30 service every two weeks.

To end the service of worship, the pastor extends a joyful benediction. The congregation responds with a verse of a hymn, and exits to enjoy coffee and fellowship in the narthex.

Creativity in Worship

MPC embraces creativity in worship. Renewal of Baptism services, showing slides during a prayer or sermon to visually amplify the message, and the use of creative arts, such as drama and liturgical dance, add to the worship experience.

Periodically, MPC presents Sunday morning worship in non-traditional ways. One example is worship featuring music of the Taize community. Each year, the youth of MPC plan and execute an entire Sunday morning service. Their methods and perspective are a breath of fresh air. Outdoor worship is offered monthly at MPC during the summer months.

Beyond Sunday Morning

Worship that extends beyond Sunday mornings often involves the performing arts. Musicians from among the membership, as well as special guests, present concerts in the sanctuary. The music may be sacred or secular, but it is always dedicated to the glory of God. In 2004 and 2005 the men of the church presented The Living Last Supper, a dramatic presentation based on DaVinci's painting.

In 1997 and 2005, the youth presented an extremely professional performance of the musical Godspell. Both The Living Last Supper and Godspell drew large audiences for multiple performances. A dramatic presentation of the Gospel of Mark was also very well received.

In 2000, MPC acquired a portable labyrinth, fashioned after the labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in France. In April 2000, the church hosted several speakers to educate the congregation about the labyrinth and to encourage walking the paths.

Another example of extended worship is MPC's care of members and others with special needs. Recordings of services are distributed to shut-ins, as are the flowers from services and special occasions. The annual Hard to Be Merry service is a special worship experience for people whose Christmas joy has been darkened by personal tragedy.

Holidays are opportunities for special worship and special events within worship. For example,

• Preparation for Christmas is celebrated throughout the Advent Season.  Worship services are planned for children of all ages to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
  
• The Ash Wednesday service, ushering in the season of Lent, culminates with the imposition of ashes.
• Maundy Thursday service is typically a Tenebrae Service, commemorating Jesus' last evening with his disciples.
• On Easter morning, whenever the word "alleluia" is spoken during the service, it is met with the fluttering of brightly-colored ribbons "alleluia wands." Innocent-looking Easter eggs may be hollowed-out and filled with confetti for a little messy fun.

Conclusion

Worship is at the center of a Christian church. Among the many gifts of God's grace, it is worship that brings us together in the loving community that was promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. Worship at MPC, while rooted in tradition, seeks to grow, evolve, and provide meaningful experiences to the current generation of faithful.