As time went on and people purchased alarm clocks and automobiles the church bells were replaced.  The call to worship moved from being the bell that signaled to the song that started the service.  In some church traditions the opening song is done with ceremony and procession.  In other cases, the volume is turned up so that those chatting in the vestebule know–the time to worship has arrived.

People disposed of their coffee cups and made their way into the sanctuary for the worship service.

What is a worship service?  As a pastor who presides over my fair share, this is a constant question for me.  What is happening when God’s people are gathered?  At times, it can take on the flavor of a classroom and people are mostly being educated.  Other times, when I am calling for action it feels like a pep rally.  Still other times, the music has a way of speaking the language of the soul, revealing areas that only the Spirit can. 

Many times though, I feel this awkward pressure to make sure people can worship and as I see people’s backs as they walk out of the sanctuary doors I wonder…did we worship?

To be honest, I know that God is doing something in a worship service, but I often times don’t know what that something is.