At Pilgrim International Church, our worship services are carefully designed to honor God and to edify His people through reverence, simplicity, and biblical faithfulness. Each element of our liturgy reflects our commitment to Scripture, the centrality of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit in forming us into God’s people.
Our worship is led by the minister but involves active participation from the congregation. The structure is rooted in the historic practices of Reformed Christianity, emphasizing the ordinary means of grace—the Word, sacraments, and prayer. Below is an outline of our typical service:
Call to Worship: The service begins with a call to worship, reminding us that God invites His people into His presence to glorify and enjoy Him.
Prayer: The congregation joins in prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, and supplication, lifting our hearts to God in humble dependence.
Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon: We confess our sins corporately, acknowledging our need for God’s grace. The minister then proclaims the assurance of pardon through Christ’s finished work.
Reading of Scripture: God’s Word is read publicly, for it is through Scripture that He speaks to His people.
Confession of Faith: Together, we affirm our shared beliefs using creeds or confessions, uniting our voices in the historic faith of the church.
Passing the Peace of Christ: This act reminds us of the peace we have with God and with one another through the gospel.
Singing of Psalms: Central to our worship is the singing of Psalms. At Pilgrim International Church, we primarily sing the Psalms, either a cappella or with simple accompaniment from a piano or guitar. The Psalms, being God’s inspired hymnbook, guide our worship in truth and depth.
Expository Preaching of Scripture: The preaching of God’s Word is the pinnacle of our service. The minister expounds Scripture, bringing its truths to bear on our lives in a Christ-centered and applicable manner.
Observation of the Sacraments: We regularly observe the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, signs and seals of God’s covenant grace.
Benediction: The service concludes with a blessing pronounced by the minister, sending us into the world with God’s peace and presence.
At Pilgrim International Church, our approach to worship music reflects the same biblical principles as the rest of our liturgy. In an age when worship often mirrors the catchy, upbeat style of popular music, we have chosen a different path—one rooted in simplicity, reverence, and God-centeredness.
Modern worship music often takes its cues from popular culture. Pop music is designed to appeal to the tastes and emotions of the masses. It’s simple, catchy, and emotionally stimulating. Pop songs dominate the airwaves for a few weeks, but their appeal quickly fades, leaving room for the next fleeting trend. Similarly, the big productions of today’s worship bands often aim to captivate and entertain.
We are not condemning this approach. Yet, as we reflect on what worship truly is, we recognize the need for a different focus. Worship is not primarily about us or our preferences. It is about offering something to God. Public worship is a meeting between God and His people, and our music should reflect His majesty and holiness rather than our desire for entertainment.
Our instrumental accompaniment is intentionally modest. A piano or guitar serves only to support congregational singing, not to overshadow it. The goal is to facilitate the voices of God’s people—united in praise—not to create a concert-like atmosphere. This simplicity allows us to focus on the content of our worship rather than the performance.
Singing the Psalms and embracing simplicity might initially feel different—even counterintuitive—to those accustomed to contemporary worship music. But this difference is good. Worship is not about catering to our immediate desires or preferences; it is about forming us into the image of Christ. Just as a nutritious meal nourishes more deeply than fast food, so does God-centered worship music feed our souls more profoundly than the fleeting appeal of pop-style praise.
Our approach to worship music is informed by the Regulative Principle of Worship, which teaches that our public worship should include only what God has commanded in Scripture. By adhering to this principle, we avoid the temptation to innovate or entertain, focusing instead on what God has ordained for His glory and our good.
At Pilgrim International Church, every aspect of our worship—from the structure of the liturgy to the music we sing—is designed to glorify God and build up His people. We invite you to join us in worship, to experience the beauty of God’s Word proclaimed, His Psalms sung, and His grace displayed in the sacraments. Together, let us lift our voices and hearts to our great and glorious God.
