Our worship services on Sunday are simple and reverential. You can expect to hear the faithful, Christ-centered preaching of the Bible. After each service there is ample opportunity to meet informally.
What the Church Service is like
We have two services every Sunday. These follow a similar pattern. The service begins with the entering into the sanctuary by the church’s office bearers. One elder or the pastor welcomes everyone and makes announcements. Before the pastor (either our own or a guest minister) approaches the pulpit, the elder shakes his hand to affirm that the church council is allowing him to preach. The pastor offers a call to worship and invites the congregation to affirm in whom they find their help. The response is “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, Amen.” (Psalm 124:8). The pastor raises his arms and offers a salutation: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.” (1 Corinthians 1:3). These initial actions and words affirm that the congregation is gathering together as God’s people, ready to listen to him and to worship him.
In the morning service the pastor reads The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 6). These are presented as the way of life for Christians to demonstrate their thankfulness for the salvation provided in Jesus Christ. In the afternoon, we read or sing either the Apostle’s Creed or the Nicene Creed. These Creeds profess the fundamental truths of the Christian faith and date back to the early centuries of the church (400AD). Our services include a lot of singing by the whole congregation. The songs are primarily rhymed versions of the Psalms in the Bible set to simple melodies.
Sermons form the heart of our church services. These are Christ-centered messages which call the worshipers to put their faith in Jesus Christ and to live for him in thankful obedience. The pastor strives to explain in clear language the meaning of a specific portion of Scripture. The morning service focuses on a Bible passage; the afternoon as well, but then through the lens of the Heidelberg Catechism, one of our Reformed Confessions (documents which summarize the basic teaching of the Bible). Our desire throughout our worship is to focus on Jesus and all the benefits we have in Him.
Every service includes an offertory. This collection is done by the deacons, who distribute these gifts to the needy within the congregation, in the local community and for good causes around the world.
Some services may include the sacrament of baptism, typically of infants. Children are considered members of the church and baptism makes that real. At regular times throughout the year we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Members of the congregation and invited guests as named by the pastor participate in this event where we commemorate and celebrate the salvation we receive through the death of Jesus Christ.
Each service closes with God’s benediction spoken by the pastor: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6: 22 – 24). The congregation responds with a heartfelt three-fold “Amen.” This blessing surrounds the congregation in their daily life until they meet again the following Sunday.
Location and Service Times
Cloverdale Canadian Reformed Church is located at 17473 60 Ave. Church service times are at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Parking
There is a large parking lot beside the church building available for anyone who attends the worship services.
Greeters and Ushers
As you enter the building, Greeters will welcome you, and will be happy to help you find your way. Ushers will be standing at the entrance to the sanctuary and will assist with seating, provide you with a Book of Praise (hymnal) and a liturgy sheet that outlines the order of the worship service.
What about Children?
We have a deliberate commitment to families worshiping together, so children are most welcome to attend the worship service. In addition, there is child care available for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers who are not accustomed to sitting through a service.