Ocean City Worship Center

Types of Worship

Worship is our response (both corporate and personal) to God for who He is and what He has done, expressed in our thoughts, attitudes, word, and actions.

Corporate Worship is uniting with other people in focusing and praising God together. David refers to corporate worship in the Psalms: "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. . . come, let us bow down in worship. . . sing to the Lord a new song: sing to the Lord all the earth.. . Worship the Lord with gladness" (Psalms 95-100).

Personal or Individual Worship is the view that our entire life is designed to glorify God. Paul states that we are to "Take our everyday, ordinary life - our sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life- and place it before God as an offering." Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him." Romans 12:1 THE MESSAGE

Worship - Significant in the eyes of God

We were made in "God's image" and created to worship Him (See Genesis 1:27). It is God who has given us this ability to have a relationship with Him. He desires a relationship with us so much, He sent His Son to die for us.

But God gives us a choice. He didn't create us as little robots that have to follow His orders and wishes. He gave us the ability to choose - to choose to reject God. It wouldn't really be a choice if the latter were not also an option. And if we do choose to follow Him, we experience an abundant life here on earth and get to spend eternity with Him.

We live in a culture that is completely contrary to dying to self. We think we can have as many gratifying things and experiences as we want. We strive and strive to accumulate more.

This striving filters into our spiritual life. Many are guilty of thinking, "If I just do all the right things, God will like me more." Even church attendance and devotions can become legalistic.

It's not about doing. It's about being. It's not about what you do; it is about who you are.

Authentic Worship - A Condition of the Heart

Authentic worship is rooted in the desires of your heart. The very first of the Ten Commandments is the key to authentic worship.

"Do not worship any other gods besides me. Do not make idols of any kind. . . You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god!" Exodus 20:3-5 NLT

The Object of Our Worship

Some places have actually gotten so caught up in this "worship movement" that they have reached the point of worshiping worship itself or more specifically worshiping the music or the supposedly "right kind" of music. Some have gone so far as to say, "At our church we have 'real' worship," implying that others don't or that theirs is in some way superior or deeper, when they have simply chosen a different style. Just because one group of people prefers one style of music certainly does not mean that another style cannot be real, authentic worship. It may simply be a matter of one's preference.

Postures in Worship

Standing - It is out of respect that we stand to praise the Lord - it also shows that we are being attentive (1 Kings 8:22; 1 Chronicles 23:30, 2 Chronicles 7:6, Psalm 135:2, Romans 5:2; Romans 5:2).

Kneeling - We kneel as an act of submission and reverence (Psalms 95:6; Acts 20:36; Philippians 2:10).

Lifting Hands - There are many different uses of the lifted hand in Scripture:

Bowing - The three Hebrew words for worship mean to bow: shachah used 171 times, qudad used 15 times, kara used 30 times; also proskunei in Greek - to be prostrate (Isaiah 45:23; Psalms 95:6; 2 Chronicles 20:18; Romans 14:11).

Dancing - Dancing is generally associated throughout the Scriptures with worship and joy. Also the word, rejoice, in Hebrew and Greek means to spin, spring, leap, jump for joy, skip, etc. (Exodus 15:20; Psalms 30:11, 149:3, 150:4; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 18:6-7, 21:11, 29:5; 2 Samuel 6:14-16; 1 Chronicles 15:29; Jeremiah 31:4, 12-13; Luke 15:25; Matthew 11:17; Luke 7:32)

Laughing - A way of showing and releasing joy, also a weapon of war (Psalms 126:2).

Shouting - A sign of triumph, a release of joy, exultant praise and worship, a weapon of war (1 Samuel 4:5, Ezra 3:11; Psalms 32:11, 47:1; Zephaniah 3:14; Zechariah 9:9).

Loud Noise/Voice - Use a loud noise/voice to proclaim extreme and dynamic feeling (2 Chronicles 20:19; Ezekiel 3:12-13; Nehemiah 9:4; Psalms 98:4, 33:3, 81:1, 150:5; Luke 17:15, 19:37, Acts 14:10-11; Revelation 5:12, 6:10, 7:10).

Clapping Hands - Use to celebrate triumph and rejoice.

Bethany Pugner is the Minister of Music at Ocean City Worship Center in Maryland and founder of CryOut Music.

She is a talented musician and women's speaker who displays a genuine heart for worship and a wonderful gift in encouraging others to lift up the name of Jesus.

Bethany's music and personal story is an inspiration of God's grace and His willingness to use each of us through all circumstances!

Bethany is recognized not only as a worship leader but also as a singer/song writer. Her first CD, Making Him Known was released Christmas 2004.

"Making Him Known" was the collective musical effort of many talented musicians and personal friends. It consisted of members of the worship team of Cornerstone Assembly of God in Bowie, Maryland.

The purpose of this CD project was first to share with others the amazing grace of Jesus, His love for the world, and His continual mercy in making us more like Him.

Secondly, it was to use our God-given talents and abilities to express what God has done in our lives.

Thirdly, it was to encourage and raise support for missionaries around the world...these men and women are the heroes of the faith!

Therefore, all proceeds of this CD will go to "Make Him Known" throughout China!

CD's are available at:

"Making Him Known" Song List