Mode of Worship
Celestial Church of Christ follows an established Mode of Worship, covering the setting of the Altar, the arrangement of worshippers, and the order in which a service unfolds.
Worship
Worship in Celestial Church of Christ is centered on God and marked by prayer, Scripture, hymns, thanksgiving, reverence, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Worship in Celestial Church of Christ is centered on God and marked by prayer, Scripture, hymns, thanksgiving, reverence, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Celestial worship follows an established order, with practices that help worshippers approach the presence of God with reverence and unity.
For someone attending for the first time, some aspects of worship may be unfamiliar. The Sutana, barefoot worship, the arrangement of the Sanctuary and Altar, the use of white candles, the ringing of the bell, and the order of the service all have a place within the worship life of the Church.
Reverence is reflected not only in prayer and song, but also in how the congregation conducts itself during worship — through order, discipline, and participation.
Celestial Church of Christ follows an established Mode of Worship, covering the setting of the Altar, the arrangement of worshippers, and the order in which a service unfolds.
Each service — gathering, prayer, Scripture, the sermon, giving, and closing — follows the Church's established Order of Service. See “What to Expect in Sunday Worship” below for the general sequence.
Prayer holds a central place in Celestial worship, offered with deep reverence for the presence of God. Scripture and the preaching of God's Word hold an equally important place — the congregation gathers not only to sing and pray, but also to hear, receive, and reflect upon God's Word.
Hymns and spiritual songs are central to worship, uniting the congregation in praise and helping believers give thanks, pray, and worship together.
The Sutana is the white prayer-and-worship garment worn by Celestians during worship, set apart specifically for approaching God.
It is customary to remove one's shoes within the Sanctuary, and again once the Sutana is worn, as a sign of reverence in God's presence.
Two further elements of worship attire are also part of the established order: the loin (Daniel 10:5; John 13:4–5; Revelation 1:13), a related garment worn alongside the Sutana, and head covering (1 Corinthians 11:3–16), worn by women within the Sanctuary as part of this same practice of reverence.
Together, the Sutana, the loin, and worshipping barefoot are treated within the Church as established, longstanding elements of worship — not matters of personal preference or fashion, but part of how Celestians have historically approached God in the Sanctuary.
New to Celestial worship? You do not need to already own a Sutana to visit. Come as you are, and feel free to ask questions as you grow familiar with this practice. Member expectations around attire and preparation for worship are explained on our Life as a Celestian page.
Sunday worship follows an established order. The general sequence below is drawn from the Church's own description of the service — it's meant to help a first-time visitor know roughly what to expect, not to promise a minute-by-minute guarantee. Individual services are led according to this order, but the details of any one service are at the discretion of those leading it.
Attendees queue outside the Sanctuary before the service begins. The service conductor opens in prayer, and a processional hymn plays as everyone proceeds inside.
Everyone remains standing until the seven candles on the Altar are lit and the Inner Altar is sanctified. When Hymn 3 (Yah Rah Man, Hi Yah Rah Man) is sung, everyone kneels.
The bell is then rung three times. After the third ring, everyone bows down, wherever they may be in the Church, and the congregation recites, “Holy, Holy, Holy Unto the Lord God of Hosts.”
This is done for three sets: three rings of the bell followed by the congregational response, repeated three times.
A cyclical session of Psalm recitations, prayers, and hymns follows, according to the Church's Order of Service.
The congregation is then seated for two Bible readings (with a Gloria interlude and song between them), announcements, and the sermon.
The service proceeds to collections and tithe offering, followed by the Thanks Offering.
A closing hymn and prayers bring the service to an end, and attendees queue back out of the Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is arranged according to established Church practice and contains distinctive elements — the Altar, the seven candles, the burning lamp, altar water, and more — that contribute to the worship environment.
Candles, incense, and water each carry their own place and meaning within Celestial worship.
The candle directs the worshipper toward Christ, the Light of the world, and toward the seven Spirits of God.
The rising smoke of incense gives visible expression to prayer rising before God.
Water carries the biblical language of life, cleansing, renewal, and Christ the Living Water throughout Celestial worship.
Prophetic ministry and the Ministry of the Choir each have a recognized place within the worship life of the Church, exercised within established order.
Prophetic ministry has a recognized place within the Church, but spiritual gifts are exercised within established order and with self-control. The Church's guidance emphasizes that prophetic activity should not disrupt worship or override the established order of the service.
Music helps the congregation participate actively in worship. Hymns, spiritual songs, Praise & Worship, and Thanksgiving songs each have a place within the worship life of the Church, led by the Choir.
Worship and spiritual life continue throughout the week. Sunday Devotional, Wednesday Mercy Day, Friday Power Day, and the monthly New Moon Service each have their place in the worship life of Disciple Parish.
Learn more about this monthly service
Celestial Church of Christ observes a number of Holy Rites and sacred occasions, including Baptism, Holy Communion, the Annual Washing of Feet, the Annual Pilgrimage to Imeko, Harvest Thanksgiving, and Holy Mary's Day.
The Naming Ceremony — also known as a Christening — is one such occasion, welcoming a child and giving thanks to God within the life of the Church.
Observed on the first Friday of July, Holy Mary's Day honors the mother of Jesus Christ and remembers her 1977 appearance to Pastor-Founder S.B.J. Oshoffa.
Spiritual Work is part of the spiritual life of Celestians. It is approached within a life of prayer, faith, spiritual discipline, and dependence upon God, and it belongs within a broader Christian life of faith, worship, holiness, and service.
The Mercy Land — Ile Aanu — is consecrated ground set apart within Celestial Church of Christ for prayer, seeking God's mercy, spiritual retreat, and restoration. Its garden symbolism carries the Church's central teaching: where it is lost, there it shall be found.
Giving is also an expression of worship. Seed Offerings, Tithes, and Thanks Offerings each have a distinct place within the spiritual life of the Church.
Worship is not simply something the congregation watches. Celestians participate through prayer, singing, listening, giving, thanksgiving, and reverent attention.
The Choir serves the congregation. Ministers serve the congregation. Leaders serve the congregation. And the congregation worships together.
Whether you are familiar with Celestial worship or joining us for the first time, you are welcome to worship with us.