Welcome to Music & Worship Ministries

Philosophy of Ministry

Believing that God has created us for the primary purpose of worshipping Him "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23)

The mission of Sierra Madre Congregational Church Music and Worship Ministries is to serve our Father God, by the Holy Spirit offering word, song, and action in grateful and loving response for all He has done through Jesus Christ His Son.

We seek to engage all ages of worshipers in...

  • the praise and adoration of God,
  • the encouragement and teaching of Christ's bride, the church,
  • the presentation of the gospel message of grace to the lost,
  • enthusiastically incorporating voices and instruments and our God-given creativity,
  • living all our lives for God's glory and pleasure.

"True worship is for an audience of One, God alone" (Søren Kierkegaard). The assembled believers are the presenters who give expressions of love to the Lord, and the "up-front" leaders are prompters or lead-worshipers whose purpose is to serve the congregations.

Love for God and for the body of Christ, which consists of all ages of worshipers, keeps us from dividing the local congregation into separate worship services based on style preferences (1 Cor. 1:10). Self is sacrificed to God to be full of the life of Christ, and other's preferences are placed ahead of our own (Rom. 12:10). Gathering together in worship before God demonstrates and strengthens the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace that is the unique witness of the family of God (Eph 4:3).

We employ convergent, or blended, worship, a thoughtful combining of historic and modern worship expressions into a varied tapestry of praise, which enfranchises the participation of all of God's worshipers (Gal. 3:28). Our desire is to present to our God in His excellent greatness the best gifts we are able to bring, knowing they are only acceptable in Christ our High Priest, that they are not a means of gaining God's favor, but are humbly offered in gratefulness for His love (Heb. 2:12;8:1-2). We follow God in being primarily concerned with the heart of worship and relaxed with reference to the forms of worship (1 Sam. 16:7).

Committed to providing our children with a graded choir program of training in worship, singing and drama, we pray that they will grow to become worship leaders in the church. The SMCC youth ministry provides ongoing training in worship and the celebration arts for youth in 7th to 12th grade in Young Artists Group.

Many fulfilling opportunities are available for adult SMCCers to use their creative gifts to glorify God, in Chancel Choir, "Celebration" Worship Team, Drama Ministry, Brass Ensemble, Festival Orchestra, and "Praise Ringers" hand bell choir.