Should we adopt a uniform procedure in the opening exercises of the Sabbath services? As leaders of God's remnant people, we would do well to bear in mind the helpful counsel Paul gave to the Corinthian members: "Let all things be done decently and in order." Then, too, there is the instruction of God's messenger:
"The house is the sanctuary for the family, and the closet or the grove the most retired place for individual worship; but the church is the sanctuary for the congregation. There should be rules in regard to the time, the place, and the manner of worshiping. Nothing that is sacred, nothing that pertains to the worship of God, should be treated with carelessness or indifference."—Testimonies, Vol. V, P. 495.
That there is a lack of uniformity in procedure is clear to many. This may be due in part to the desire of leaders to avoid the pitfalls of ritualism, a type of service which endangers the life of the church. On the other hand, it may be for the want of concrete suggestions of a constructive nature. On page 151 of the Church Manual we read:
"It has never been our custem to prescribe a set form or order for public worship. A short order of service is usually better suited to the real spirit of worship. Long preliminaries should be avoided. Thus more time can be given to the study of the Word of God."
It is of interest to observe the various forms of service as practiced here and there. One church in particular, which I visited not long ago, followed an unusually short service. The opening exercises consisted of no more than a hymn and prayer, followed by the sermon. Such a form of service, followed without deviation, does not lend itself to inspiration or enthusiasm. Four items remained to be cared for in the closing exercises—the offering, the announcements, a hymn, and the benediction.
On another occasion it was my privilege to visit a church not in our union, where a large membership worshiped on the Sabbath. The order of service closely followed that laid down in the Manual. Two features entered into the picture, however, which in my humble judgment did much to detract from the sacredness of the hour. The announcements made by the pastor consumed twenty minutes. Following the second hymn, which came just before the sermon, an appeal for Signs subscriptions by the conference president and the pastor consumed still more precious time —twenty-seven minutes to be exact. In terms of sales the results were highly encouraging, but the sweet influence of the Spirit of God was noticeably lacking. How much better it would have been to discuss the plan pertaining to the Signs campaign during the ten-minute missionary service, or at some other time.
The element of time in following a form of service cannot be ignored. The opening exercises should not under any circumstance consume time required for the preaching of the Word, for the sermon is the heart of the service.
Would it not make the service more interesting and attractive, and at the same time prevent its degenerating into a dry form, to follow one or another of the suggestions in the Church Manual?' The following form of service can easily be adapted or abbreviated to the needs of large or small churches:
Announcements
Organ Prelude
Doxology
Invocation
Hymn
Prayer
Offertory
Hymn or Special Music
Sermon
Hymn
(National Anthem, on special occasions)
Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude
Local conferences might endeavor to adapt the above outlined service to their specific needs, as may be necessary. Surely some thoughts and plans along this line would be a step in the right direction.
