A call to worship is directed to the people by God through the worship leader. It is an act that brings the worshiping community into being. The call to worship is directed toward the people. It is a call to focus mind, heart, and intention on the worship of God. Therefore, it is brief and emotive, not lengthy and intellectual. It has the character of an acclamation, not a teaching. One exception to this rule may occur during Lent when the character of the preparation changes significantly to convey the mood of sobriety and identification with Christ through the use of penitential litany.

The call to worship is not a time for responsive readings. Responsive readings are kept for the Service of the Word when content and instruction constitute the goal of the worshiping community. In the Entrance the goal is to come before the Lord. Consequently the acts of worship such as a call to worship are characterized by simplicity and brevity.

Below are two examples. One, an antiphonal reading, is an example of what not to do. It is too long, tends to be instructive, and requires reading. This instructive form is more appropriate for the Service of the Word. The second, a short proclamatory statement, is more appropriate for the call to worship, fitting the nature of the call which is doxological, not instructive.

Avoid this kind of Call to Worship
Leader: Lord, we have gathered together today to worship you.
People: We come from many walks and conditions of life. Some of us are discouraged, some of us battle illness, some of us have experienced financial loss.
Leader: But we come O God to worship you.
People: We bring our joys and hurts, our struggles and victories, our losses and gains to you, O Lord.
Leader: Be present to us, O Lord, and receive the worship we offer you in Christ’s name.

Strive for this kind of Call to Worship
Leader: Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom forever and ever.

Traditional examples of the Call to Worship
Blessed be God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
or
This is the day the LORD has made.
Let us be glad and rejoice in it. Psalm 118:24Psalm 118:24, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
Glorify the LORD with me;
Let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3Psalm 34:3, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
Give thanks to the LORD,
For he is good;
His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1Psalm 106:1, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
The world and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1Psalm 24:1, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
Clap your hands, all you nations!
Shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1Psalm 47:1, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
O LORD, open ours lips,
And our mouths will declare your praise. Psalm 51:15Psalm 51:15, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
The LORD is in his holy temple.
Let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20Habakkuk 2:20, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Contemporary examples of the Call to Worship
The call to worship may be written from contemporary sources such as a familiar song or from the Scriptures of the day, particularly the psalm. When preparing your own call to worship, keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Structure the call to worship.
• Keep it brief so it functions as an acclamation, not an instruction.

Here is an example of a call to worship that adapts material from the Vesper service of the Orthodox church. In this example the Proclamation is made in the leader’s first line. All the remaining parts are response.
Leader: Blessed is our God always; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
People: O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
Leader: O come let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and our God.
All: Amen.
or
God created us;
Praise God.
The Son recreates us;
Glory to the Son.
The Spirit creates new life in us;
Honor to the Spirit.
Praise, glory, and honor
To the triune God,
The cause of our worship,
The source of our joy.
We will ever praise the triune God!
(E. Lee Phillips, Breaking Silence before the Lord [Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1986], page 23)
or
O sing to the Lord a new song; tell of God’s salvation from day today.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; God is to be feared above all gods.
Worship the Lord in holy array; tremble before God, all the earth!
Honor and majesty are before God; strength and beauty are in God’s sanctuary.
(James G. Kirk, When We Gather: Year A [Philadelphia: Geneva Press, 1983], page 26)

Examples for Seasons of the Christian Year
Advent:
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.
Everything God says we will do. Matthew 3:2Matthew 3:2, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Prepare the way for the LORD;
Make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3Isaiah 40:3, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Christmas:
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10–11Luke 2:10–11, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Epiphany:
“My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 1:11Malachi 1:11, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Lent:
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
His mercy endures forever.
or
Rend your heart
And not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
For he is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger and abounding in love. Joel 2:13Joel 2:13, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17Psalm 51:17, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15:18–19Luke 15:18–19, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Good Friday:
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look around and see.
Is there any suffering like my suffering
That was inflicted on me
In the day of his fierce anger? Lamentations 1:12Lamentations 1:12, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Easter:
[Alleluia.] Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. [Alleluia.] Mark 16:6Mark 16:6, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.
or
[Alleluia.] He is risen.
He is risen indeed! [Alleluia.]
or
[Alleluia.] Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed! [Alleluia.]

Ascension:
Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens …
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence
So that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14–16Hebrews 4:14–16, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Pentecost Sunday:
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8Acts 1:8, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.

Thanksgiving Day:
Honor the LORD with your wealth,
With the firstfruits of all your crops;
Then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
And your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9–10Proverbs 3:9–10, ESV  Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version. Thank you for your patience.