What is Worship?
The word worship comes from the Greek word proskuneo which means literally to "kiss toward." It is an act that involves the most intimate and personal expression of love toward God. In its simplest form, it is an act of total surrender and love to the One who "first loved us." In its essence, it is a response of gratitude and thankfulness to Jesus, who so demonstrated His love for us that "while we were still sinners, He died for us." (Romans 5:8)How We Worship at The Father's House Worship Center
Your first reaction to the expressions of worship at The Father's House Worship Center may be a bit bewildering if you come from a more traditional background. We can identify with you because we have people at The Father's House Worship Center who come from more traditional backgrounds. After attending the services, they now understand these forms of worship and have rejoiced in the freedom of being able to worship and praise God as the Bible has set forth. One of the things that brings people to our church is this freedom to worship and praise God in any way that the Bible has set forth. We also believe that worship is a transforming experience. It is a time for us to celebrate God's goodness and grace. It is a time when God can minister to our hearts and lives and also transform us into His image. It is the testimony of many in our congregation that during our times of praise and worship, God has poured out His Spirit and given us a greater insight into who He is and His great love and acceptance of us, His children. During many of our services, the Holy Spirit ministers and puts to death those crippling feelings of shame and guilt from sin and turns our mourning into joy!Music
Music was given to us by God Himself to praise and glorify Him and as an expression of celebration. The worship and praise that the scriptures call us to is not a stifled, boring experience but a joyful, exuberant celebration. The music at The Father's House Worship Center is meant to be uplifting and to bring us into the presence of the Lord. "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn; shout for joy before the
Lord, the King!" (Psalm 98:4-6)
Lifting of Hands
The lifting of hands is scriptural and frequently occurs during our praise and worship services. Hands are also often seen during prayer, with open hands representing not only our worship but also the receiving of God's love, grace, and goodness."I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." (1 Timothy 2:8)
"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." (Psalm 63:4)
Clapping of Hands and Shouting
The clapping of hands during music and other parts of the service are also scripturally based. During some songs of triumph, shouting can also be heard as well. "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." (Psalm 47:1)
"Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." (Isaiah 12:6)
Twirling of Flags
Several of our members receive a great anointing by the waving of flags during praise and worship music. "We will shout for joy when you are victorious, and will lift up our banners in the name of our God." (Psalm 20:5)
Dance
We believe that dance is an expression of worship, praise, and joy. It was an integral part of the lives of the ancient Israelites. Dance was used in worship in ordinary life and on occasions of festivity and victory. "Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp." (Psalm 149:3)
"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might." (2 Samuel 6:14)
There are 25 other references to dancing in the Bible.
Speaking in Tongues
We accept this as an outward evidence of the Holy Spirit coming upon believers. Some believers also interpret tongues. One of the great benefits of speaking in tongues is during private prayer when when words cannot express what we want to speak to God. "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." (Acts 2:4)
"Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." (I Cor. 14:39)
Blasting of The Shofar
The shofar is a trumpet made from a ram's horn. The sound of the shofar represents the voice of God. It is a reminder of God's deliverance of Isaac through the ram caught by its horns in the thicket. The Lord Himself blew the shofar when He revealed Himself on Mount Sinai. "Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him." (Exodus 19:18-20)
The Lord will once more reveal Himself through fire and the sounding of the shofar as He sends the Messiah (the second coming of the Lord). This is "the Last Trump." "Then the Lord will appear over them; His arrow will flash like lightning. The Soverign Lord will sound the shofar ; He will march in the storms of the south." (Zechariah 9:14).
There are 3 types of blasts:
Tekiah (Ta-ke-ah) and Tekiah Gedolah (the Long Ta-ke-ah): A long unwavering blast starting at middle range and finishing up. Ta-ke-ah Gedolah, or the Long Ta-ke-ah, is a Ta-ke-ah blast held as long as the blower can hold it. It is used at the end of the series of calls. Shevarim (Shvorim): Three short, broken blasts, the length should be equal to one Ta-ke-ah.Teruah (Tru-ah) - A 9-part staccato blast reminiscent of sobbing like the crying of Sisera's mother as mentioned in the Book of Judges.The pattern for blowing the shofar is: tekiah, shevarim, teruah, tekiah. 