Understanding Corporate Worship

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Understanding Corporate Worship Prayer
Leadership

• BLD Newark
• Teaching Ministry

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Objectives

• Corporate Worship? Whats that?
• Understand Christian prayer leadership

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Agenda

• Scripture Foundation
• Praise Worship
• Nature Purpose of Worship
• Worship TEAM
• Biblical Prayer Leaders
• Jesus The Model Prayer Leader
• ACTS
• The Heart Character of the Prayer Leader ITL

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Agenda (contd)

• Effective Prayer
• Spiritual Preparation
• Logistical Preparation
• Workshop Writing Prayer
• Song Selection
• Workshop Leading Group Prayer

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Scripture Foundation

• John 423-24
• Worship in Spirit truth

• Matthew 410b
• The Lord shall you worship

• Psalm 1506
• Let everything that has breath give praise

• 1 Peter 29
• You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood

• Hebrews 1315
• Through Him let us continually offer God a
• sacrifice of praise

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Praise Worship

• Why? God is worthy for all His benefactions
  toward man
• I will thank you in the great assembly, I will
  praise you before the mighty throng Ps 3518
• Come, let us sing to the Lordfor He is our God
  and we are His people, the flock He shepherds
  Psalm 951-7
• Before all I will praise my God Ps 10930
• Response to call to praise worship Personal
  prayer prayer of the assembly
• Church prays (liturgically) 7 times per day

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Praise Blesses God for His

• Goodness Justice (Ps 1456f)
• Salvation (Ps 7115)
• Assistance (1 Sm 21)
• Love and Fidelity (Ps 892, 1172)
• Glory (Ex 1521)
• Might (Ps 294)

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Praise Blesses God for His

• Wonderful Plan Is 251
• Judgments, Liberation Ps 1467
• Wonders Ps 963
• Mighty Deeds Ps 1051 1062
• Works Ps 925f
• Miracles Lk 1937

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Nature Purpose of WorshipFrom BLD Norms
Policies (was CofC)

• Worship is the celebration in our lives --- in
  our spirits, minds, hearts, and in our beliefs,
  words and acts --- of the Holiness and
  Sovereignty, and of the Loving-Kindness and
  Majesty of God. We worship as we outwardly
  express our repentance, reverence and awe, our
  love, joy and thanksgiving, through acts of
  praise and exultation, of music and song, and of
  prayer, silence and prophecy.
•  
• The highest and purest form of worship is the
  Eucharistic Celebration, instituted by the Lord
  Jesus Christ Himself and handed down through the
  centuries as the sacrament of worship. All forms
  of worship are derived from, and serve to affirm,
  the memorial and sacrificial character of the
  Eucharist.
• In worship, we humbly offer our homage and
  allegiance to the father, in the name and by the
  blood of Jesus. We gratefully proclaim the
  abiding presence of the Spirit within us and in
  our midst. By faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we
  open ourselves to communion with the Father
  through union with the Lord Jesus Christ and to
  empowerment by the Holy Spirit through the gifts
  and fruit which He freely grants.

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Nature Purpose of Worship From BLD Norms
Policies (was CofC)

• As we worship from our hearts, we then receive,
  through an inward flow of grace, the wholeness of
  our person, and the upbuilding of our Church.
  This grace of God enables us, individually and
  collectively, to live out our Community Values of
  Righteousness and Servanthood, and to bring to
  reality the mission entrusted by God to our
  Community and our Church.
• It is from the Communitys body of Worship that
  other forms of Community prayer are empowered.
  The strength of Community intercession, which
  propels the vitality of Community action in its
  mission fields, is drawn from the sustained
  excellence of Corporate Worship. Likewise, the
  Communitys empowerment for Spiritual Warfare is
  drawn from the gifts and fruit of the Spirit
  received in Corporate Worship.

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Worship Team

• (King Davids Appointees)
• Worship leaders 1 Chronicles 164-6
• Choir leader 1 Chronicles 1522, 27-28
• Instrumentalists 1 Chronicles 256-7
• Congregation
• Hebrews 21-2
• 1 Corinthians 1415
• Ephesians 519
• Colossians 316
• Habakuk 220 (quiet time)
• Corporate worship Hebrews 1025

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Worship- A Team Ministry(1)From BLD Norms
Policies (was CofC)

• Corporate worship is the Communitys anointed act
  of ministering unto the Lord in solidarity and
  order, with one mind and one heart. The entire
  Community is gathered together as Gods special
  people to come into his presence and communion
  and receive the power of His Spirit. We dedicate
  the moments of corporate worship to fulfill the
  commandments of His Love and follow the
  directions of His Word as wellsprings and
  guidelights in our Communitys life and programs
  and in our day-to-day lives.
• The entire Community shares in the united act of
  corporate worship as members and faculties of one
  whole body, moving together in harmony towards
  encounter and communion with God. We respond as
  one to the movements of the Spirit, as directed
  by the Worship Leaders, in giving praise and
  glory to the Lord.

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Worship- A Team Ministry(2)From BLD Norms
Policies (was CofC)

• The Praise Ministry, coordinated by the Music
  Leader and in accord with the Worship Leaders,
  ministers to the entire Community --- enabling
  all to fully participate in the expressions of
  praise through music and song.
•  
• All Community Disciples, particularly the
  District Stewards and bearers of ministerial and
  pastoral responsibility, share in the privilege
  of supporting, lifting and sustaining the acts
  and motions of praise and worship expressed or
  initiated by the Worship Leaders.

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Worship- A Team Ministry(3)From BLD Norms
Policies (was CofC)

• Assigned Community Intercessors actively support
  the Worship Leaders and Praise Ministry in the
  conduct of their respective roles and functions.
  They are distributed strategically in focal
  places, interceding for the outpouring of the
  Spirit upon the hearts and minds of the Community
  of worshippers.
• Readers of the Word are prepared and guided by
  the Liturgy Ministry for their function before
  the worship service through advance study and
  reflection on the assigned scriptures, and
  through simulated rehearsal. They proclaim Gods
  Word with solemnity, clarity and purposefulness.

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Fruits of WorshipReading from the Covenant of
Communion

• Worship binds the Community together as one
  people and collectively with God it is the
  principal means of Communion among the members of
  the Community, and is the forum for communal
  fellowship with the Holy Spirit. In the context
  of BUKAS-LOOB SA DIYOS Community, it is the
  unique occasion at which the entire Community
  comes together as one. The primary fruit of
  worship therefore is unity of mind, heart and
  spirit, from which all anointing flows. In the
  same context, participation at the Worship
  Service is the most profound and concrete
  expression of membership in the Covenant
  Community as it affirms and solidifies the
  individual members allegiance to Christ as the
  center and head of the Community, as well as its
  commitment to other Community members.

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Fruits of WorshipReading from the Covenant of
Communion

• The spiritual empowerment that flows (and
  exclusively originates) from the worship service
  moves into intercession and Spiritual Warfare,
  and prepares and sustains the entire Community
  and its members for the pursuit and fulfillment
  of the Community Mission. It is impossible to
  administer harmoniously the various activities
  and programs of the Community Institutes,
  Centers, without gathering for worship with
  regularity and commitment. The worship service
  is a forum for keeping in personal touch with
  members of the Community who work in separate
  ministries, or live in different places. It is
  also the logical venue for Marriage or Family
  Encounter classes to come in contact or
  communicate with each other.

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Stretch Break

• Workshop

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Ministry of Prayer Leaders

• Biblical origin standing between God and men as
  intercessors
• Old Testament models
• Moses Ex 151-18
• David Psalms (73 of 150)
• Solomon 1 Kings 822-66
• New Testament
• Jesus Jn 171-26

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JesusThe Model Prayer Leader

• United with God
• In being
• Will
• In Prayer
• Obedient
• Humble
• Loving/Compassionate
• Forgiving
• Disciplined

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Spiritual Preparation

• Matthew 41-2 Romans 121-2
• Receive Sacraments of Reconciliation and
  Eucharist often
• Reconcile with others
• Devote time for daily prayer/quiet time
• Prayer partner
• Brew Gods word for prayer
• Living Word
• Word study
• Fast give alms
• Burden-bearing, intercession
• Rest, exercise, observe good nutrition
• Cover family, loved ones with intercessory prayer
• Spiritual warfare
• Practice with prayer team

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The Heart Character of the Worship/Prayer
Leader

• Instrumented Team Learning from BLD Policies
  Norms (formerly CofC) Statement of Excellence
  in Worship

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Worship Dynamics - A C T S

• Adoration Exalt Gods character
• Psalm 223 God dwells in our praises
• Psalm 1495-9 exult in Gods glory
• Psalm 1031 bless the Lord my soul
• Contrition Appeal to Gods mercy
• 1 John 19 God is trustworthy and upright to
  forgive
• James 516 that you may be healed
• Thanksgiving Gratitude for Gods providence
• 1 Thessalonians 518 in all circumstances
• Psalm 5014-15 even in time of trouble
• Supplication Appeal to Gods compassion/providen
  ce
• Ephesians 618 for everything
• 1 Timothy 21-2 for everyone

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Worship DynamicsExcellence in Worship Model

• Prologue
• Receiving the Word of God
• Opening to the Spirit of God
• Communing with the Heart of God
• Empowering with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Epilogue

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Dynamics of WorshipExcellence in Worship Model

• Prologue
• Opening Prayer / Intro of Theme Promise
• Focus on Jesus
• Invocation of the Holy Spirit
• Receiving the Word of God
• Scripture Readings
• Reflection
• Opening to the Spirit of God
• Contrition
• Love Offering
• Petitions

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Dynamics of WorshipExcellence in Worship Model

• Communing with the Heart of God
• Praise/Exaltation
• Exaltation
• Exaltation
• Empowering with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Quiet Time
• Epilogue
• Closing Prayer

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Effective Prayer

• In the Name of Jesus
• John 1413, 14
• In accord with His will
• 1 John 514 Acts 423-26
• In faith
• Matthew 2121-22 James 16
• In the Spirit
• Ephesians 218 Romans 814-17, 26-27
• With fasting
• Isaiah 586-7 Jonah 35,10 Mark 929
• Intercession
• Ezekiel 2230 1 Timothy 21-3
• Thanksgiving
• Ephesians 320

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Format of a Worship Brief

• Theme for the Week
• Bible Promise
• Significant Verse
• Suggested Song List

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Writing the Reflection

• Read, Study, Discuss and Consult
• Theme
• Thought Balloon Writing Technique

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Thought Balloon Writing

• to exhaust ideas
• to link various thoughts
• to discard unnecessary thoughts
• to focus on the main message

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Formulating your Prayers

• Opening Praise
• Receiving the Word

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Formulating your Prayers

• Opening to the Spirit
• I or We Phase
• Offering
• Cleansing
• Intercession
• You Phase

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Formulating your Prayers

• Communing with the Heart of God
• Empowering with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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Tips for formulating prayers

• Understand thoroughly the Word, Theme and Promise
• Prepare an outline based on the theme
• Assign a significant verse for each movement
• Prayers should be short and simple

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Tips for formulating prayers

• Start prayer with a line or two from the song
  just sang or prayer said
• For Generic songs, prayers leading to the song
  are focused on the theme
• On Intercession, prayer intentions to be taken
  from the list submitted by Intercessory

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Tips for formulating prayers

• During the You and Communing Phase
• address prayers to God
• make it short and subdued
• spoken from the heart
• On the Prologue phase, close with prayers of
  thanksgiving, praise or resolution on the theme

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Tips for formulating prayers

• The Closing prayer
• must address the congregation
• exhort them to live out the Word of God in the
  Promise
• short and exhortatory in nature

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Tips for formulating prayers

• On long prayers such as Intercessory or
  Cleansing
• insert a song between prayers to have more
  interaction
• When developing prayers, always check if you are
  still focused on the theme.

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Principles of Song Selection

• Theme, direction and movement
• Drawn from Scripture
• Songs underscore or expound on prayers
• Prayers and songs must have consistent, gradual
  movement

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Principles of Song Selection

• Dont use songs frequently sung.
• Use reflective and testimonial song for listening
• New songs are to be submitted 14 days prior to
  Prayer Meeting
• Explain the meaning relevance of new songs

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Logistical Preparation

• Luke 1428-32
• Schedule time to prepare for prayer 30 days
  before
• Assemble tools
• Bible/liturgical readings for date of prayer
  meeting
• Concordance/Topical guide
• CCC
• Praise books/tapes
• Commentaries
• Develop prayer outline
• Participate in Team or ministry LWG
• Theme, Order/Direction, Reflections, Promise
• Prepare song list/lyrics/transparencies/slides
• Write prayer

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Using Liturgical Readings Related Verses In
Prayer - ACTS
Book Invocation of the Holy Spirit Contrition Supplication Thanksgiving Adoration
1st Reading
Psalm
2nd Reading
Gospel
Related Verses
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Liturgical Readings Related VersesAre Used In
Prayers Songs Selection
Book Prologue Receiving Gods Word Opening to the Spirit of God Communing with the Heart of God Empowering of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Epilogue
1st Reading
Psalm
2nd Reading
Gospel
Related Verses
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LWG - 3rd Sunday of Lent, March 23

• Word
• Ex 201-17 Ps 198-11 1 Cor 122-25 Jn 213-25
• Order
• 1 Cor 123 Preach Christ-crucified
• Reflection (next two charts)
• Direction
• Teach Building Community to the DLC
• Realign community life to Christ crucified
  preaching, teaching and witnessing
• Promise
• the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing
  the heart the commandment of the LORD is pure,
  enlightening the eyes (Ps. 198).
• Theme for Prayer Meeting
• The New Covenant in Christ calls for zeal to
  adhere to His Word and Precepts.

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Reflection3rd Sunday of Lent

• In a few weeks from now, we will be painfully
  reminded again of the scourging of the LORD.
  This 3rd Sunday of Lent, however, gives us one of
  the most memorable images of Christ. Angered at
  the transformation of the Jerusalem temple from a
  house of prayer into a den of thieves, we see our
  Savior whipping instead of being whipped.
  Appalled at the shameful sight of the temple, we
  see our Redeemer consumed with zeal.
•  
• The word zeal comes from the Greek word
  zelos meaning heat. The best visual image of
  zeal is a boiling pot, which intensifies the
  hotter it gets. By secular definition, zeal is
  the desire to defend a cause or to pursue an end.
  It is, by and large, grounded on human wisdom,
  strength and aspirations, motivated by social,
  economic or political considerations. Hence,
  secular zeal could have positive or negative
  implications, depending on its motive or purpose.

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Reflection (contd)3rd Sunday of Lent

• In contrast, Christian zeal must always be
  grounded on love. In fact, it is none other than
  the flame of the fire of love. It is the hunger
  and thirst for the LORD that the Spirit puts in
  the heart of every practicing Christian. Its
  sole purpose is to honor and glorify God, even
  unto death, if necessary, but its glorious reward
  is God Himself. To do the things we want to do
  for God is well and good, but to do the things
  that God wants us to do with zeal is a greater
  achievement. Without zeal, it would be
  impossible, therefore, to make any substantial
  progress in our Community endeavors or to do any
  considerable service to our neighbor, whether
  temporal or spiritual.

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Reflection (contd)3rd Sunday of Lent

•  
• Exceptional examples of such Christian zeal come
  to us from the pages of Sacred Scriptures and the
  annals of the Church. From the prophets to the
  psalmists, from the apostles to the saints, we
  are presented with fine examples of zeal worthy
  of imitation. In modern times, we saw that zeal
  in the person of Mother Theresa, and we see that
  same flaming zeal in the Holy Father, who refuses
  to compromise the teachings of Christ in fidelity
  to the Word. Our missionaries and religious,
  Catholics and Protestants alike, most of whom
  have abandoned comfortable lives in exchange for
  unspeakable poverty and hardship for the sake of
  the Gospel, are true models of Christian zeal.

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Reflection (contd)3rd Sunday of Lent

•  
• In our own Community, we witness that zeal in
  the lives of those who serve and nurture the
  Community without grumbling or complaining, in
  particular, Fr. Paul Lehman, who tirelessly
  ministers to our spiritual needs. And we must
  never forget that those who pioneered the
  Bukas-Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community were
  impelled by zeal. But above this endless list
  towers Someone Who defied the limits of Christian
  zeal beyond human comprehension. My friends,
  there is no better example of zeal than
  Christ-Crucified. For on that Cross, the LORD
  Jesus took upon Himself every breach of the
  Covenant and every violation of Gods Word and
  precepts, demonstrating the power of zeal at its
  greatest strength.

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Suggestions for Writing Prayer

• Understand thoroughly the Word, Theme and Promise
• Pray
• Study Read
• Discuss with spouse and prayer team
• Prepare an outline based on the theme
• Assign a significant verse for each movement

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Suggestions for Writing Prayer

• Write and edit prayer
• Prayers should be short and simple
• Write prayer for the community, not personal
  prayers

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Suggestions for Writing Prayer

• Start prayer with a line or two from the song
  just sang or prayer said
• For Generic songs, prayers leading to the song
  are focused on the theme
• On supplication, prayer intentions to be taken
  from communitys Intercessory

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Suggestions for Writing Prayer

• Addressing prayers
• address prayers to God
• make it short and subdued
• spoken from the heart
• Closing prayer must address assembly
• Briefly exhort them to live Word of God in promise

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Workshop

• Write prayer based on ACTS format
• (30 minutes)
• Actual Worship

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Song List
Example
PRIMARY SONG ALTERNATIVE SONG
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Key Verse
CONTRITION Key Verse
SUPPLICATION Key Verse
THANKSGIVING Key Verse
ADORATION Key Verse
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3rd Sunday of LentPossible Song Choices
Example

• You Alone Deserve Our Praise
• I Was Made to Praise You / No Other Name
• Holy Spirit Breathe on Me
• O How I Love Thy Law
• You Shall Love the Lord
• Thy Word
• We are Here to Praise You
• Great is Your Mercy
• Great Are You Lord
• Exalted / I Exalt Thee
• Above All