Jeff Meyer’s book The Lord’s Service is phenomenal not only because it addresses covenant renewal worship so comprehensively, but also so accessibly. The language is plain though crafted, the footnotes are substantial but not annoying (unless you despise these automatically), and the concluding bibliographical essay provides a sturdy map for the motivated explorer. Whether your convictions lean more or less liturgical, Meyers lays out how the order of service is reflected (or ought to be) by the patterns seen throughout the Bible, shock, Old Testament included. He also addresses many issues surrounding worship like robes, officiation (who leads the service), the use of creeds, the regulative principle, and children at the Lord’s Table. Here is a passage on the purpose of the service:

If the Church’s worship is the place where God glorifies his saints by distributing his life-giving Word and Sacraments, if it is the occasion for God to serve the congregation, then with this understanding we can, to some degree, transcend the rigid dichotomy regarding the purpose of Sunday service–is it for evangelism or worship? Why do we have to choose between one or the other? Is worship for the people of God or unbelievers? Well, primarily for the people of God, but if unbelievers are present they may be served as well. If through the liturgy God graciously delivers gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation, then He offers them to everyone present, the people of God as well as those who are not yet part of His people. Inasmuch as the Lord’s Day service is the place and time where God comes through His Word and Sacrament to serve people, it is obviously beneficial to both. The Spirit can enliven any unbeliever present and use His Word as it is read, prayed, sung, and preached to bring them new life. What else is this but evangelism?