PUTTING AN END TO WORSHIP WARS - Elmer Towns

obe. As the choir leader made his way to the podium on the right, the organist played the Call to
Worship. The congregation rose and began singing.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
As the congregation concluded, the minister prayed the Invocation which was a prayer to
invoke the presence of God in their worship service. Next, he asked the congregation,
"Christian, what do you believe?"
The congregation, men, women and children rose to their feet and repeated in unison,
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and
earth: And in Jesus Christ His only son, our Lord; who was
conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and
buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again
from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the
right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He
shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the
communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Next they prayed the Lord's Prayer. To some, the words held little significance. Others
spoke the words softly out of a heart deeply moved in the worship of God.
The Scripture lesson was read by the pastor from the Old Testament, followed by the
New Testament reading. Then the congregation turned to the back of the hymnal for the
Responsive Reading, the pastor and congregation alternating in reading one passage after the
other read.
A classical anthem was sung by the choir, then an organ recital during the offering. Next
there was the singing of another of the great hymns of the faith, followed by a brief children's
sermon (really a story told to the children by the minister before they made their way to children's
church). Using one of the parables of Jesus, the minister stood behind the podium on the left of