Why Do We Start Worship with a “Call to Worship”?

A Summary of a ByFaith Magazine Article on Reformed Worship

Have you ever wondered why our worship service begins with a “call to worship”? It might seem like just a nice way to get everyone settled and focused—but according to a thoughtful article in ByFaith magazine (the official publication of the Presbyterian Church in America), there’s a lot more going on.

This post is part of an ongoing series exploring the elements of liturgy in our church—why we do what we do each

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Breath of God

"…from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.'   -2 Timothy 3:16-17

Paul, the author of this passage wrote this to Timothy, a young man of faith. Timothy learned the Scriptures at

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Litergy: More Than A Formal Routine

What is "Liturgy" ?

In a broad sense, every church is liturgical because every church follows some kind of order or structure in its worship service, even if it’s informal or unspoken. 

Churches like Anglican, Lutheran, Orthodox, and many Presbyterian or Reformed churches follow a formal, historic liturgy—often with written prayers, creeds, confessions, and a structured order that connects closely to church tradition.

Baptist, Pentecostal, and many evangelical churches may n

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True Followers, Steady Faith

Acts 18 offers more than a history lesson—it’s a compelling portrait of what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus right here, right now.

Here, we meet Priscilla and Aquila—ordinary tentmakers with extraordinary devotion. Their story isn’t flashy, but it’s powerful. Uprooted from their home in Rome, they don’t get stuck in discouragement. Instead, they open their lives and their home to serve others, partner with Paul, and quietly invest in the spread of the gospel.

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Living with Full Assurance of Faith

Hebrews 10:19–25 is a bold reminder that the Christian life isn’t just about believing in what Jesus has done—it's about living in the power of what He is still doing.

The writer of Hebrews tells us we have confidence to enter the presence of God—not because of anything we’ve done, but because of what Christ has accomplished through His death and resurrection. This is not just theological theory—it’s deeply practical. We are invited to live with “full assurance of faith,”

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Who Gets In? Reflections from Psalm 24

What does it take to “get in” with God? Psalm 24 poses that timeless question: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Who shall stand in His holy place?” The answer seems daunting—only those with clean hands, a pure heart, and truthful lives. If we’re honest, none of us qualify on our own.

But that’s the beauty of the gospel. In his May 4 sermon, Pastor Pat Davey reminded us that while God is utterly holy—mighty, sovereign, and just—He’s also personal, gracious, and near.

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Welcome New Members!!

What a wonderful service we had this past Sunday! We officially welcomed two new members into our church family--Frank De La Oliva and Mariallye Burr. It was a sweet time to remember the promises we made to each other and to God when we joined together as committed members of this congregation. Welcome Frank and Mariallye!

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Embracing the Promise and Finding Comfort in God's Plan

In the tapestry of life, where every thread intertwines through the ups and downs, Romans 8:28-30 stands out as a beacon of hope and assurance for believers. This scripture offers a profound insight into God's sovereign plan, reminding us that every aspect of our lives is purposefully orchestrated for our ultimate good.

The Promise of All Things Working Together for Good

At the heart of Romans 8:28 is the promise that "all things work together for good to those who love Go

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It's Not Just About Love

In the previous post, we listed the top 10 most popular verses in the Bible as listed on Google. 

At the very top of the list is John 3:16:   "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." 

The evidence of its popularity may be seen by the many places where we see it displayed....football games and other athletic events, fashion, films, and contemporary music.  Yet, it's a verse that is frequent

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The Ten Most Popular Verses in the Bible.

Google lists the following verses as the Ten Most Popular Verses in the Bible due to their "frequent use and enduring message." 

 Top 10 Most Popular Verses:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."   -John 3:16"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  -Philippians 4:1"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called accordin...
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Discovering True Freedom

Have you ever wondered what true freedom looks like? It's not about having unlimited choices or doing whatever you want. According to Christian beliefs, particularly from Paul's teachings in Romans 6, real freedom is found through a concept called spiritual adoption in Christ.

From Slavery to Liberty

When we embrace faith in Christ, we undergo a major shift. Before, we were like slaves to our own desires and sins. But by becoming part of God’s family, we change masters—we s

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Jesus, The Bread of Life

Jesus' statement, "I am the bread of life" is meant to stir within us a sense of urgency as we consider Him as the bread of life. We need Him in a way that nothing else can possibly satisfy. We need Him in such a way that no success, no victory over bad behavior, no achievement in school or work, no purchase, vacation, or even numerous vacations that we anticipate will finally satisfy our souls. No bank balance or experience can fulfill what we deeply long for.  None of t

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No Reason to Fear

What role does fear play in the Christian life? 

We know that it should not play any.  Paul says that anything that does not proceed from faith is a sin.  And yet, we know it is a practical reality and that we fear many things. ...Simon Kistemacher says, "Is fear a natural reaction to outside forces? Does fear always demonstrate a lack of Christian faith? The answer to these questions is that fear indeed drives away faith.  Conversely, faith abolishes fear. In the Gospels,

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Godly Repentance Leads to the Cross

There are many moments in David's life to consider as David's greatest victory. Some might consider his triumphs over the bear, the lion, Goliath, and even his reign as a king who defeated tens of thousands. However, David himself would likely identify his truest victory as the moment he was led to repentance by God. He would view this not as a personal achievement but as a divine gift. Every victory David experienced had one thing in common--the victory was granted by Go

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Welcome, New Members!

Sunday was an exciting day in the life of our church.  We welcomed three new members into our fellowship.  In the PCA, new members are asked to affirm their commitment to the church covenant, which includes promises to participate in worship, support the church, submit to its leadership, and promote the peace and purity of the church.   Charlotte Clayton, Debbie and David Mayfield affirmed their commitment and were officially welcomed as new members.

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