Recover the Wonder and Weight of the Sunday Service

"Do I have to go to church?"

Whether we've fielded this question from others or have at times wondered ourselves, pastor Adriel Sanchez invites us to consider afresh why Sunday corporate worship matters.

Why We Worship reenchants our spiritual imagination, helping us rediscover the beauty of worship in Scripture and draw upon the richness of Christian liturgy through the ages. Sanchez delves into the biblical underpinnings and historical development of the core parts of a worship service, casting a vision for corporate worship's vital role in healthy Christian spirituality and discipleship.

In Why We Worship, Sanchez draws on Scripture and history to uncover not only the what but also the why of elements of the Sunday service including



- music,

- the sermon,

- Communion,

- baptism,

- confession,

- prayer, and

- the benediction.



Church isn't meant to be a dull routine or an entertainment-driven spectacle. It's a weekly heavenly ascent that transforms us to live the Christian life here on earth. Enter anew into the wonder of Sunday worship as a transcendent, joy-filled journey into God's presence.



Adriel Sanchez is senior minister at North Park Presbyterian Church in San Diego and the host of the Core Christianity podcast with Sola Media. He is the author of Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord's Prayer andhas written for Christianity Today, Modern Reformation Magazine, Credo Magazine, and Tabletalk Magazine. Adriel lives with his wife and six children in Southern California.



Introduction

Part 1: Going to Church: Ascending the Mountain



1. Getting Up the Mountain



2. Getting Out of the Wilderness

Part 2: At Church: The Summit



3. The Call to Worship: Resting in Jesus



4. Confession: Forgiven and Gospel Formed



5. Musical Worship: The Battlefield of Praise



6. The Sermon: Hearing God's Voice



7. Communion: "Do This in Remembrance of Me"



8. Benediction: A New Kind of Prophets

Part 3: Descending the Mountain: Back into the World



9. Your Priestly Duty



10. Worship and the Nations



Conclusion: An Angel's Eye View



Appendix: A Family Hike: Incorporating Children in Worship