The Service for the Lord's Day

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The Service for the Lord's Day is the name given to the general format or ordering of worship in the Presbyterian Church (USA). There is a great deal of liberty given toward worship in that denomination, so while the Service for the Lord's Day is extremely common, it is not universally used.

The creation of the Service for the Lord's Day was one of the most positive contributions of the Worshipbook of 1970. The Book of Common Worship of 1993 leaned heavily upon this service.

The General Outline of the Service for the Lord's Day

Gathering

 Call to Worship
 Prayer of the Day or Opening Prayer
 Hymn of Praise, Psalm, or Spiritual
 Confession and Pardon
 The Peace
 Canticle, Psalm, Hymn, or Spiritual

Baptism if observed (may appear later in the service)

 Presentation
 Profession of Faith with Apostles' Creed
 Thanksgiving Over the Water
 The Baptism
 Welcome

The Word

 Prayer for Illumination
 First Reading
 Psalm
 Second Reading
 Anthem, Hymn, Psalm, Canticle, or Spiritual
 Gospel Reading
 Sermon
 Invitation
 Hymn, Canticle, Psalm, or Spiritual
 Affirmation of Faith
 [Pastoral Rite of the Church]
 Prayers of the People

The Eucharist, If the Lord's Supper IS celebrated

 Offering
 Invitation to the Lord's Table
 Great Thanksgiving
 Lord's Prayer
 Breaking of the Bread
 Communion of the People
 Sending
 Hymn, Spiritual, Canticle, or Psalm
 Charge and Blessing

If the Lord's Supper is NOT celebrated:

 Offering
 Prayer of Thanksgiving
 Lord's Prayer
 Sending
 Hymn, Spiritual, Canticle, or Psalm
 Charge and Blessing