The following is a proposal for the worship service which has been well received!
OVERVIEW: We want to incorporate several of the Jewish components of what one would find in a Messianic service including the following:
A. The Hebrew blessings for:
1. Candles lit (incorporated into the service, not just preceding)
2. The Hebrew blessings before the scripture readings
3. The Shemah (Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is One) have this transliterated for all to read.
4. The Aaronic Benediction in Hebrew at the end of the service -
B. Two prayer units from the Siddur (prayer book) including confession of sins and pastoral absolution
C. Congregational singing with a Hebraic motif
D. Congregations needs: baptisms, COMMUNION, announcements, prayer times, etc.
E. Our presentation will start after the introduction of the speaker
F. We will provide offering envelopes which will be included with the bulletins/worship folders for the service we are speaking at.
G. The offering for The Apple of His Eye is received after our presentation so people will have time to fill out the envelopes for our newsletter
H. We chant the Aaronic Benediction in Hebrew at the end of the service and the have the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn) before the closing hymn.
PROPOSED SERVICE
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Pre-service music with Hebraic motif
Call to worship:
Reading of Psalm 133:1-3:
ALL: Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Lighting of the candles-
Hebrew blessing given as congregation candles are being lit:
LEADER: Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu melech haolam, asher Kiddishanu b'Y'shua HaMashiach, or Ha Olam
CONGREGATION: Blessed art Thou O Lord our God King of the universe who sanctifies us in Y'shua, light of the world.
Congregational singing:
The God of Abram Praise (4 Verses Only!)
The Shemah:
Leader: Shemah Y'srael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.
Cong: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is One.
Leader: Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuto L'olam V'ed. Veahafta et adonai elohecha u'vkol l'vavecha, u'vkol nafshecha, u'vchol meodecha
Cong: Blessed be His name, whose glorious kingdom is forever and ever. And you shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul
Leader: Veahafta lereicha k'mocha
Cong: And you shall love your neighbors as yourselves
Leader: On these two commandments pivot all the law and the prophets.
Avinu Malkeinu:
Leader: Avinu Malkeinu, avinu malkeinu, avinu malkeinu haneinu v'aneinu, ki ayn banu ma-asim. Asey imanu tzedakah v'chesed, Asey imanu tzedakah v'chesed v'hosheinu.
(Our father, our King, have mercy upon us, for we have no merit in ourselves to save ourselves.)
Confession of sins
ALL: Eternal God who calls us to repentance, we are grateful for the opportunity to answer Your call, to forsake our sins, and to turn to You with all our hearts. Yet we know that repentance is sometimes difficult. We know that there have been times when we have resolved to mend our ways and did not succeed. Even our admission that we have done wrong does not come easily: our pride is as tall as the mountains, our vanity is as wide as the sea; and excuses abound. But before you there are no secrets. To You all stands revealed. Our pettiness and our greed, our selfishness and our weakness, our running to do evil and our limping to do good - all these are known to You. On this day, we yearn to become better than we have been, not because of our merit, but because of your grace which is more than sufficient for us. For You, O Lord, have given us this great gift of atonement through Y'shua, our Messiah. Open our hearts to the call of this day, may our prayers remain with us and renew us through your Spirit. Create in us clean hearts O God through our Messiah.
Absolution of sins
Pastor: Upon this your confession.....
The Apostle's Creed - Messianic version
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Y'shua the Messiah, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Ruach Ha-kodesh (Holy Spirit) and born of the Virgin Miriam. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to Sheol. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Ruach Ha-kodesh, the holy congregation, the fellowship of His people, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Omein.
Blessing before the scripture reading:
Leader: Barkhu et Adonai ham'vorakh. Baruch Adonai ham'vorakh L'Olam va'ed. Baruch attah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bakarbanu mikol hamin, v'natanlanu et torahto. Baruch attah Adonai, notain ha-torah.
Congregation: Bless the LORD, the blessed One.
Blessed be the LORD the blessed One forever and ever.
Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe,
who chose us from all nations and gave us His Scriptures.
Blessed are You, O LORD, Giver of the Scriptures.
Scripture readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Romans 10:1-14 (this may be omitted for time sake)
Matthew 16:13-17
Choir
(appropriate song with messianic flavor OR VS 5-9 OF THE GOD OF ABRAHAM PRAISE)
Presentation title: (please ask the speaker for the title)
Responsive hymn:
3 more verses of God of Abraham praise suggested
Receiving of the Offerings
(If there is communion) COMMUNION LITURGY PROVIDED BY THE CHURCH
Prayers for the church, etc.
Aaronic Benediction in Hebrew [Drag the Hebrew into your layout program]
Sounding the Shofar
Closing hymn
The Apple of His Eye: www.aohems.org
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Suggested alternate songs:
(You may want to substitute some of these for the music listed above)
Trees of the Field
King of Kings and Lord of Lord's Glory
Behold, God is my salvation
I will talk to my brothers about God my father
Jehovah Jeira
Horse and rider
Awake O Israel
He is Jehovah
Shalom my friends, shalom my friends