Worship
Worship in the Reformed Christian tradition is centered on the sovereignty and glory of God and seeks to be a response to His grace and truth. Rooted in Scripture, worship is characterized by the reading and preaching of the Word, prayer, the sacraments, and the singing of psalms and hymns that reflect the Scriptures. As John 4:24 says, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." This reflects the emphasis on worshiping God with sincerity of heart and doctrinal accuracy. The Westminster Confession of Faith echoes this, affirming that the acceptable way to worship the true God is instituted by Himself and guided by His will as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Reformed worship is rigorous yet joyful, full of hope, and aims to nurture faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Adoration takes place during Sunday worship, but the Christian must strive to be a worshiper in daily life. Jesus commands us (Matthew 22:37) to love our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength, and all our mind; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Thus, the Scriptures urge us to grow in holiness, without which "no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). We are also encouraged to worship our Lord by listening to His Word and engaging in daily prayer.
