The Arts in Worship
Presbyterian Book of Order 2011/2013
W-1.2000 2. The Language of Worship - pg. 77
W-1.2001 The Language of Response to God
God brings all things into being by the Word. God offers the Word of grace, and people respond to that divine initiative through the language of worship. They call God by name, invoke God’s presence, beseech God in prayer, and stand before God in silence and contemplation. They bow before God, lift hands and voices in praise, sing, make music, and dance. Heart, soul, strength, and mind, with one accord, they join in the language, drama, and pageantry of worship.
W-1.2003 Old Testament Symbols - pg. 77-78
As the people of God worshiped the Holy One, they used symbols out of human experience, speaking of God as creator, covenant-maker, liberator, judge, redeemer, shepherd, comforter, sovereign, begetter, bearer. From the world of nature they ascribed to God the character of rock, well-spring, fire, eagle, hen, lion, or light. Their worship was also filled with the language of symbolic action:
fasting and feasting,
rejoicing and wailing,
marching and resting,
dancing and clapping hands,
purification and dedication,
circumcisions and anointings,
burnt offerings and sin offerings,
doing justice and mercy,
making music and singing to the Lord.
Christ the Focus of New Symbols - pg. 78
As the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ became the focus of new symbols. The New Testament writers often used Old Testament symbolic language for the new reality as they sought to communicate the good news, describing Christ as the second Adam and as the Lamb of God. They used new symbolic language as well: the eternal Word, the firstborn of all creation, our peace who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. In hymns and other forms of praise, Jesus Christ was glorified as the true symbol who reveals all that God is to the world. (W-1.1003-.1005)
W-1.3030 c. Matter - pg. 82
W-1.3031 God created the material universe and pronounced it good.
The covenant community understood that the material world reflects the glory of God. They also came to see that material realities can be a means for expressing suitable praise and thanksgiving to God. Ark, showbread, woven and embroidered linen, basins, oil, lights, musical instruments, grain, fruit, and animals all became expressions of the community’s worship of God. The prophets warned, however, against offering the material as a substitute for offering the self to God.
W-1.3033(2)−.3040 - pg. 83
W-1.3034 Artistic Expressions
The Reformed heritage has called upon people to bring to worship material offerings which in their simplicity of form and function direct attention to what God has done and to the claim that God makes upon human life. The people of God have responded through creative expressions in architecture, furnishings, appointments, vestments, music, drama, language, and movement. When these artistic creations awaken us to God’s presence, they are appropriate for worship. When they call attention to themselves, or are present for their beauty as an end in itself, they are idolatrous. Artistic expressions should evoke, edify, enhance, and expand worshipers’ consciousness of the reality and grace of God.
W-1.4004e−.4005b Responsibility and Accountability for Worship - pg. 84-85
W-1.4004 Session
In a particular church, the session is to provide for worship and shall encourage the people to participate fully and regularly in it. The session shall make provision for the regular
a. preaching of the Word,
b. celebration of the Sacraments,
c. corporate prayer, and
d. offering of praise to God in song. (W-2.0000; W-3.0000)
The session has authority
e. to oversee and approve all public worship in the life of the particular church with the exception of those responsibilities delegated to the pastor alone (W-1.4005)
f. to determine occasions, days, times, and places for worship. 
It is responsible
g. for the space where worship is conducted, including its arrangement and furnishings,
h. for the use of special appointments such as flowers, candles, banners, paraments, and other objects of art,
i. for the overall program of music and other arts in the church,
j. for those who lead worship through music, drama, dance, and other arts. (G-3.0201a, b)
W-1.4005 a. Pastor - pg. 85
a. The teaching elder as pastor has certain responsibilities which are not subject to the authority of the session. In a particular service of worship the pastor is responsible for
(1) the selection of Scripture lessons to be read,
(2) the preparation and preaching of the sermon or exposition of the Word,
(3) the prayers offered on behalf of the people and those prepared for the use of the people in worship,
(4) the music to be sung,
(5) the use of drama, dance, and other art forms.
Pastor and Choir Director
b. Where there is a choir director or other musical leader, the pastor and that person will confer to ensure that anthems and other musical offerings are appropriate for the particular service. The session should see that these conferences take place appropriately and on a regular basis.
W-1.4006 Session and Pastor - pg. 86
The sequence and proportion of the elements of worship are the responsibility of the pastor with the concurrence of session. The selection of hymnals, song books, service books, Bibles, and other materials for use of the congregation in public worship is the responsibility of the session with the concurrence of the pastor and in consultation with musicians and educators available to the session.
W-2.0000 THE ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP - pg. 87-89
W-2.1003 Music as Prayer: Congregational Song
Song is a response which engages the whole self in prayer. Song unites the faithful in common prayer wherever they gather for worship whether in church, home, or other special place. The covenant people have always used the gift of song to offer prayer. Psalms were created to be sung by the faithful as their response to God. Though they may be read responsively or in unison, their full power comes to expression when they are sung. In addition to psalms the Church in the New Testament sang hymns and spiritual songs. Through the ages and from varied cultures, the church has developed additional musical forms for congregational prayer. Congregations are encouraged to use these diverse musical forms for prayer as well as those which arise out of the musical life of their own cultures.
W-2.1004 Music as Prayer: Choir and Instrumental Music
To lead the congregation in the singing of prayer is a primary role of the choir and other musicians. They also may pray on behalf of the congregation with introits, responses, and other musical forms. Instrumental music may be a form of prayer since words are not essential to prayer.
- In worship, music is not to be for entertainment or artistic display.
- Care should be taken that it not be used merely as a cover for silence.
Music as prayer is to be a worthy offering to God on behalf of the people.
(See also W-2.2008; W-3.3101)
W-2.1005 Enacted Prayer
In the Old and New Testaments and through the ages, the people of God expressed prayer through actions as well as speech and song. So in worship today it is appropriate
a. to kneel, to bow, to stand, to lift hands in prayer,
b. to dance, to clap, to embrace in joy and praise,
c. to anoint and to lay hands in intercession and supplication, commissioning and ordination.
W-2.2008 Other Forms of Proclamation
The Word is also proclaimed through song in anthems and solos based on scriptural texts, in cantatas and oratorios which tell the biblical story, in psalms and canticles, and in hymns, spirituals, and spiritual songs which present the truth of the biblical faith. Song in worship may also express the response of the people to the Word read, sung, enacted, or proclaimed. Drama and dance, poetry and pageant, indeed, most other human art forms are also expressions through which the people of God have proclaimed and responded to the Word. Those entrusted with the proclamation of the Word through art forms should exercise care that the gospel is faithfully presented in ways through which the people of God may receive and respond.
W-3.3000 & W-3.3100 3. Service for the Lord’s Day
a. Appropriate Actions - pg. 103
Music
(3) Music may serve as presentation and interpretation of Scripture, as response to the gospel, and as prayer, through psalms and canticles, hymns and anthems, spirituals and spiritual songs.
(W-2.1003−.1004; W-2.2008)
W-3.3200 b. Ordering the Actions - pg.104
W-3.3300 (1) Gathering Around the Word
W-3.3301 Gathering
(b) The people are called to worship God. Words of Scripture are spoken or sung to proclaim who God is and what God has done.
(c) A prayer or hymn of adoration and praise is offered.
W-3.3400 (2) Proclaiming the Word - pg.105
W-3.3401 Proclaiming
(c) Psalms or anthems, and other musical forms or artistic expression which proclaim or interpret the Scripture lessons or their themes, may be included with the reading lessons.
W-3.3500 (3) Responding to the Word - pg. 105
W-3.3501 Responding: Affirmation
The response to the proclamation of the Word is expressed in an affirmation of faith and commitment. A common affirmation may be offered by the congregation through singing a hymn or other appropriate musical response, or through saying or singing a creed of the church. The choir may lead the congregation with an anthem or other musical form of affirmation. An opportunity for personal response may also be provided during this time.
W-3.3600 (4) The Sealing of the Word: Sacraments
W-3.3617 Receiving the Supper - pg. 111
While the bread and the cup are being shared,
(a) the people may sing psalms, hymns, spirituals, or other appropriate songs;
(b) the choir may sing anthems or other appropriate musical offerings;
(c) instrumental music suitable to the occasion may be played;
(d) appropriate passages of Scripture may be read; or
(e) people may pray in silence.
W-3.3618 Blessing After Supper
When all have communed and the remaining elements have been placed on the Table, the one presiding leads the people in prayer, thanking God for the gift of Christ in the Sacrament, asking for God’s grace to fulfill the pledges made by the people in the Supper, and making supplication for the coming of the promised Kingdom. The congregation sings a psalm, canticle, hymn, spiritual, or spiritual song.
W-3.4000 4. Service of Daily Prayer - pg. 112
W-3.4002 Scripture
Scripture lessons are read, and time observed for reflection and meditation. An exposition of Scripture may be given. The Word may be expressed in music, drama, or dance. Psalms and canticles are especially appropriate to daily prayer because in using them worshipers both express and respond to the Word.
(W-2.2000)
W-3.4003 Prayer
Prayers may be spoken, sung, enacted, and offered in silence. Daily prayer affords a unique opportunity for silence and meditation in community. Prayer in all its dimensions should be offered with special attention to the public and personal concerns of the community.
(W-2.1000)
W-3.4004 Order
The Service of Daily Prayer should be ordered to move through
(1) praise,
(2) the reading and hearing of the Word,
(3) responding to the Word in meditation, prayer, and song,
(4) going forth in the name of Christ.
W-3.5000 5. Other Regularly Scheduled Services of Worship - pg. 113
W-3.5100 a. Sunday Services
W-3.5102 Elements
These services include the reading and hearing of the Word, prayer, and opportunities for self-offering and for relating to each other and the world. (W-2.1000−.2000; W-2.5000−.6000) They may place special emphasis upon prayer, congregational singing, the teaching of Scripture, and interpretation of the Word through the arts. Such services may include the preaching of the Word, or other forms of proclamation authorized by the pastor and the session. (W-1.4000; W-2.2000; W-3.3400) On those occasions the Sacraments may also be celebrated.
W-3.5200 b. Church School - pg. 113
W-3.5202 Elements and Order
There should be regular opportunities for worship in each church school class. Such worship may be less formal and more spontaneous than in larger groups. Yet it should include prayer and song that grow out of the consideration of the Word. Worship in the church school is not to be a substitute for participation
in the worship of the whole congregation on the Lord’s Day. (W-3.1004; W-3.3201; W-6.2001)
W-3.5300 c. Gatherings for Prayer - pg. 114
W-3.5302 Elements
In these services the Word is read and heard, and may be proclaimed, taught, and discussed, or expressed in music and the other arts. Prayer is offered, and may be spoken, sung, enacted, or shared in silence. Opportunities may be given for the recognition and offering of gifts and for the commitment of life to Jesus Christ. Concern for one another may be shown in words and acts of welcome, reconciliation, and mutual ministry. Concern for the world may be enacted in prayer and ministries of compassion, justice, peacemaking, and witness.
W-3.6000 6. Special Gatherings
W-3.6200 b. Retreats, Camps, Conferences, and Special Gatherings - pg. 117
W-3.6203 Elements
The elements of worship appropriate for every gathering are prayer, the reading and hearing of Scripture, self-offering, and relating to each other and the world. (W-2.1000; W-2.2000; W-2.5000; W-2.6000) Different elements of worship may be emphasized in different settings, such as
(1) retreats for silent prayer or marriage enrichment,
(2) nature camps or mission caravans,
(3) youth leadership or music conferences.
Yet in every case, the Word shall be presented with integrity, and appropriate prayers should be offered. (W-2.1000−.2000)
W-4.3000 3. Commissioning for Specific Acts of Discipleship - pf. 121
W-4.3002 Forms of Discipleship
Discipleship may be expressed in the local church through service such as teacher in the church school, trustee, member of the choir, officer in a church organization, or adviser or helper with various church groups;
W-4.9000 9. Marriage - pg. 129
W-4.9005 Music and Appointments
Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church. (W-2.1004)
The congregation may join in hymns and other musical forms of praise and prayer. (W-1.3034; W-1.4004−.4005; W-5.5005)
W-4.10000 10. Services on the Occasion of Death - pg. 130-131
W-4.10004 Form and Order
The service begins with scriptural sentences. It is appropriate for worshipers to sing hymns, psalms, spirituals, or spiritual songs which affirm God’s power over death, a belief in the resurrection to life everlasting, and the assurance of the communion of the saints.
W-5.4000 4. Prayer in Personal Worship - pg. 135-136
W-5.4002 Expressing Prayer
Prayer in personal worship may be expressed in various ways.
One may take on an individual discipline of enacted prayer through dance, physical exercise, music, or other expressive activity as a response to grace.
W-5.4003 Helps in Prayer
In exercising the discipline of prayer in personal worship one may find help for shaping the form and content of one’s prayers
a. in Scripture, especially the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers, the psalms and other biblical songs;
b. in hymns, spirituals, and other songs;
c. in service books, prayer books, and worship aids;
d. in the heritages of prayer and devotion expressed in literature and visual arts.
Such resources may also help one see the occasions and subjects of prayer, as may the daily news and church program interpretation materials and guides to personal worship.
W-5.7000 7. Worship in Families and Households - pg. 137--138
W-5.7001 Household Worship
When Christians live together in a family or in a household they should observe times of worship together. When it is possible to worship together daily, households may engage in
a. table prayer, which may be accompanied by the use of Scripture and song;
b. morning and evening prayer;
c. Bible reading, study, reflection, and memorization;
d. singing psalms, hymns, spirituals, and other songs;
e. expressions of giving and sharing.
First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. (863) 686-7187.