Why We Begin Our Services with a Call to Worship

When we gather as a church, we don’t do so on our own initiative—God calls us to worship Him. Worship is not primarily about us and what we bring, but about responding to God’s invitation. That’s why, in our church, we begin every service with a Call to Worship from Scripture. This intentional practice sets the tone for our time together and ensures that our worship is God-centered, Word-driven, and Christ-exalting. In this article, I will give seven reasons why we begin our services with a call to worship.

1. God Initiates Worship
Worship is not something we start; it is God who invites us into His presence. Throughout Scripture, we see that God takes the first step in calling His people to Himself (Genesis 12:1; Exodus 3:4; Isaiah 6:8). A Call to Worship reminds us that we gather in response to God’s summons, not merely out of personal choice or routine.

2. Biblical Precedent
The Bible is filled with examples of God’s people being summoned to worship: “O come, let us worship and bow down: Let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” (Psalm 95:6) “Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2) “Every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters…” (Isaiah 55:1) These passages model how God’s people begin worship by hearing His call and responding in praise.

3. Anchors Worship in God, Not Ourselves
If we started our services by trying to get everyone hyped up emotionally, worship could easily become man-centered. A Call to Worship from Scripture ensures that our focus is on God from the very beginning. We don’t gather because of our feelings or circumstances; we gather because He is worthy.

4. Reorients Our Hearts
Every week, we come into worship distracted, burdened, or preoccupied. A Call to Worship from the Bible reorients our minds and hearts. It reminds us why we are gathered—to glorify God, not ourselves—and prepares us to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

5. Establishes the Authority of the Word
Worship is not shaped by human creativity but by God’s revealed truth. A Call to Worship from Scripture declares that God’s Word governs our gathering. We are not here for a performance, but to hear and respond to God’s voice.

6. Connects Worship to the Gospel
Many passages used for a Call to Worship emphasize our access to God through Christ:“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Hebrews 10:19-22) We are not coming before God based on our own worthiness, but because of Jesus’ finished work. Beginning with a gospel-centered call to worship helps us remember why and how we can approach God.


7. Follows the Heavenly Pattern
In heaven, worship often begins with a declaration of God’s worthiness: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8) A Call to Worship from Scripture mirrors this heavenly pattern, helping us align our earthly worship with the eternal worship of heaven.

As you can see, beginning our services with a Call to Worship from the Word is not just a tradition—it is a biblical practice that shapes our hearts and minds for worship. It reminds us that God is the one who calls us into His presence, it keeps our worship anchored in Scripture, and it sets the tone for a Christ-centered gathering. When we hear His call, we respond with joy, reverence, and praise, just as His people have done throughout history—and just as we will do for eternity.