Matthew:
How a service is ordered reflects one's theology. Typically, Reformed view corporate worship as primarily a meeting of God with His Bride. So, in essence, it is a transaction in which the minster, representing God (and sometimes the Bride - he has a dual role) does things on behalf of God, while the Bride interacts with the Father. The OPC Book of Church Order describes the typicalyt Reformed perspective this way:
As a service of public worship is in its essence a meeting of God and his people, the parts of the service are of two kinds: those which are performed on behalf of God, and those which are performed by the congregation. In the former the worshippers are receptive, in the latter they are active. It is reasonable that these two elements be made to alternate as far as possible.
The lawfully ordained minister represents God in the transaction. He does things like read and preach God's word, absolve people of their sins, etc. You will note that the Larger Catchism, for example, only lawfully called ministers are suppsed to even read the Word in public worship. Of course, only they are supposed to preach it as well.
Here is a fairly common reformed structure with notes about why it is placed in this order:
[1] Call to worship
God calls his people to worship Him.
[2] A reading from the Word about sin (eg. the Ten Commandments).
This makes us conscious of our sin.
[3] A corporate prayer of confession.
Being conscious of our sin, we prayer for confession.
[4] Assurance of pardon or absolution
After our prayer, God via his minister forgives us. An assurance of pardon is typically a scripture about forgiveness. Absolution is more of "I, a minister of God, by the power given to me absolve you . . ." or something like that.
[5] Song
We so are happy that God has forgiven us that we sing his praises.
[6] Corporate prayer
We pray as God's people and bring our needs before our Father.
[7] reading / preaching of the Word
God speaks to us via his mouthpiece on earth. Jesus said this about his ministers: "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." Luke 10:16. So, to listen to your minister is to listen to the voice of Christ.
[8] Song
We are so happy about rceeiving God's word that we sing.
[9] Benediction
God blesses us.
Scott
