Exploring Worship: Reflecting on Traditions and Practices
Delve into the essence of worship through the lens of tradition and practice, as inspired by the insights of John Wesley. Reflect on key questions that challenge the way we approach worship, contemplate elements lost over time, and reconsider the significance of various worship practices. Explore the diverse ways in which we connect with the divine and engage with the sacred in communal settings. Unveil the richness of worship as a dynamic, participatory endeavor that shapes our spiritual journeys.
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AND ARE WE YET ALIVE? AND ARE WE YET ALIVE? John Wesley on Worship Liturgical the work of the people Interactive no such thing as passive worship, no audience Corporate we can only know God fully in community Biblical & Theological Unveiling scripture Sacramental Communion every week, baptisms every month
THREE KEY QUESTIONS THREE KEY QUESTIONS #1 Is worship fundamentally A) about God, for our benefit? B) about us, for God s benefit? #2 does our worship essentially end the week before, or begin the week to come? #3 how do you prepare yourself for worship before the service begins?
WHAT HAVE WE LOST? WHAT HAVE WE LOST? Weekly Communion Presentational Offering Inquiry Confession Scriptural centrality Silence Sanctuary Personal Testimony Lay prayer Creeds Responsive Psalter Catechism
THE WAYS WE WORSHIP THE WAYS WE WORSHIP REMEMBERING WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND RETHINKING WHY WE NO LONGER DO WHAT WE NO LONGER DO!
THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Entrance & Gathering Proclamation & Response Scripture Sermon Response to the Word Prayers & Concerns Confession, Pardon & Peace Offering & Thanksgiving Holy Communion Sending Forth
ENTRANCE & GATHERING ENTRANCE & GATHERING How should we enter worship? In silence In prayer In fellowship Listening Learning Singing
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS 1. Learn these tunes before you learn any others, afterwards learn as many as you please. 2. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can. 3. Sing All see that you join the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up and you will find a blessing. 4. Sing Lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half-dead or half-asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sang the songs of Satan.
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS 5. Sing Modestly do not bawl so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation that you may not destroy the harmony, but strive to unite your voices together so as to make one melodious sound. 6. Sing in time whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before and do not stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices and move therewith as exactly as you can and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first. 7. Sing spiritually have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven. From John Wesley, Select Hymns: with Tunes Annext: Designed Chiefly for the Use of People Called Methodists (London: s.n., 1761), p. 266.
GREETING & FOCUS GREETING & FOCUS (CONGREGATION STANDING) (CONGREGATION STANDING) Verbal greeting This is the day the Lord has made, congregation responds, Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Introit sung at the celebration of the Eucharist as the elements are brought into the sanctuary Opening hymn a congregational song of celebration and praise
THE WAYS WE WORSHIP THE WAYS WE WORSHIP REMEMBERING WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND RETHINKING WHY WE NO LONGER DO WHAT WE NO LONGER DO!
THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Entrance & Gathering Proclamation & Response Scripture Sermon Response to the Word Prayers & Concerns Confession, Pardon & Peace Offering & Thanksgiving Holy Communion Sending Forth
PROCLAMATION & RESPONSE PROCLAMATION & RESPONSE All our worship is grounded in prayer Invocation we call upon God to be with us Opening prayer Collect (coll cta) prayer to focus gathered upon God Prayer of Confession & Pardon (prayer, silence, words of assurance) Canticle hymn or Psalm of scripture text Gloria Patri hymn of praise/doxology Anthem Prayer for Illumination
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS 1. Allow all the people to pray; the preacher shall not dominate the prayer. 2. Take as much time in silence (during prayer) as you spend in speaking. 3. Do not presume to worship God without confession, contrition, and humility. 4. Employ petition, intercession, adoration, praise, thanksgiving, meditation, mercy, confession, and illumination in your prayers. 5. Always pray The Lord s Prayer. 6. Sing Psalms and hymns as prayer. 7. Pray before you worship, pray while you worship, pray after your worship make prayer your offering.
WHAT HAVE WE LOST? WHAT HAVE WE LOST? Weekly Communion Presentational Offering Inquiry Confession Scriptural centrality Silence Sanctuary Personal Testimony Lay prayer Creeds Responsive Psalter Catechism
WHAT HAVE WE ADDED? WHAT HAVE WE ADDED? Mission & Ministry presentations Instrumental music Video clips Attendance registry Praise Music Children s time Choirs Announcements Pastoral Prayer
THE WAYS WE WORSHIP THE WAYS WE WORSHIP REMEMBERING WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND RETHINKING WHY WE NO LONGER DO WHAT WE NO LONGER DO!
THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Entrance & Gathering Proclamation & Response Scripture Sermon Response to the Word Prayers & Concerns Confession, Pardon & Peace Offering & Thanksgiving Holy Communion Sending Forth
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS: SCRIPTURE WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS: SCRIPTURE 1.First Reading Old Testament Lesson 2.Psalter responsive reading (with or without sung refrain) 3.Second Reading New Testament (other than gospels) 4.Sung response Alleluia 5.Gospel Reading (congregation stands)
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS: PREACHING WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS: PREACHING 1.Preach the Old Testament as well as the New Testament 2.Do not preach on the Psalms 3.Make the sermon the priority of all you do (24 hours avg.) 4.Make yourself as invisible as possible physically and oratorically 5.Always invite a tangible and concrete response to the word
THE DEVOLUTION OF SCRIPTURE & THE DEVOLUTION OF SCRIPTURE & SERMON SERMON (IN THE UMC) (IN THE UMC) 1920 Average Time - Scripture 1.OT 7 minutes 2020 Average Time - Scripture 1.OT 45 seconds 2.Psalm 3 minutes 2.Psalm 30 seconds 3.NT 3 minutes 3.NT 2 minutes 4.Gospel 5 minutes 4.Gospel 3 minutes Total 18 minutes Total 6 minutes, 15 seconds
THE DEVOLUTION OF SCRIPTURE & THE DEVOLUTION OF SCRIPTURE & SERMON SERMON (IN THE UMC) (IN THE UMC) 1920 Average Time - Sermon 1.Preparation time 17.5 hours 2020 Average Time - Sermon 1.Preparation time 3.75 hours 2.Delivery time 35.5 minutes 2.Delivery time 19.5 minutes 3.Number of times delivered per week 1.25 3.Number of times delivered per week - 5
THE SHIFTING TRENDS THE SHIFTING TRENDS 1.Less engagement with Scripture 2.Less scholarship & preparation in preaching 3.Less Biblical teaching 4.More entertainment 5.Less interactivity congregants used to ask questions 6. Less reinforcement through repetition
THE WAYS WE WORSHIP THE WAYS WE WORSHIP REMEMBERING WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND RETHINKING WHY WE NO LONGER DO WHAT WE NO LONGER DO!
THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Entrance & Gathering Proclamation & Response Scripture Sermon Response to the Word Prayers & Concerns Confession, Pardon & Peace Offering & Thanksgiving Holy Communion Sending Forth
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS: WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS: RESPONSE TO THE WORD RESPONSE TO THE WORD 1. Always invite a tangible and concrete response to the word today the common term is Invitation to Christian Discipleship 2. Reaffirmation of faith baptism, confirmation, receiving new members, installation/commissioning/reconsecration of laity leadership 3. Testimony of Christian service 4. Launch of new ministry, new congregation, small groups 5. Invitation to volunteer
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS: WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS: RESPONSE TO THE WORD RESPONSE TO THE WORD 6. Time of silence for personal reflection and commitment 7. Altar call commitment to the Christian life/recommitment 8. Creedal statement 9. Hymn of commitment and discipleship 10.Declaration Invitation to Social Justice cause
CREEDS CREEDS THE FOUNDATION THE FOUNDATION 1. The Old Roman Creed (The Apostle s Creed 120-150 CE) 2. The Creed of Nicea (325 CE) 3. Constantinian Creed (The Nicene Creed 381 CE) 4. Chalcedonian Creed (451 CE) 5. Athanasian Creed (The Western Creed 500 CE)
THE APOSTLES CREED THE APOSTLE S CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the holy Ghost, Born of the virgin Mary, Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into Hell, The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy ghost, The holy catholic Church, The Commmunion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen.
THE CREED OF THE CREED OF NICEA NICEA We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten of his Father, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten ( ), not made, being of one substance ( , consubstantialem) with the Father. By whom all things were made, both which be in heaven and in earth. Who for us men and for our salvation came down [from heaven] and was incarnate and was made man. He suffered and the third day he rose again, and ascended into heaven. And he shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead. And [we believe] in the Holy Ghost. And whosoever shall say that there was a time when the Son of God was not ( ), or that before he was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that were not, or that he is of a different substance or essence [from the Father] or that he is a creature, or subject to change or conversion all that so say, the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.
THE NICENE CREED THE NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE THE CHALCEDONIAN CHALCEDONIAN CREED CREED Extract But, forasmuch as persons undertaking to make void the preaching of the truth have through their individual heresies given rise to empty babblings; some of them daring to corrupt the mystery of the Lord s incarnation for us and refusing [to use] the name Mother of God ( ) in reference to the Virgin, while others, bringing in a confusion and mixture, and idly conceiving that the nature of the flesh and of the Godhead is all one, maintaining that the divine Nature of the Only Begotten is, by mixture, capable of suffering; therefore this present holy, great, and ecumenical synod, desiring to exclude every device against the Truth, and teaching that which is unchanged from the beginning, has at the very outset decreed that the faith of the Three Hundred and Eighteen Fathers shall be preserved inviolate. And on account of them that contend against the Holy Ghost, it confirms the doctrine afterwards delivered concerning the substance of the Spirit by the One Hundred and Fifty holy Fathers who assembled in the imperial City; which doctrine they declared unto all men, not as though they were introducing anything that had been lacking in their predecessors, but in order to explain through written documents their faith concerning the Holy Ghost against those who were seeking to destroy his sovereignty.
THE ATHANASIAN CREED THE ATHANASIAN CREED Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is all One, the Glory Equal, the Majesty Co- Eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father Uncreate, the Son Uncreate, and the Holy Ghost Uncreate. The Father Incomprehensible, the Son Incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost Incomprehensible. The Father Eternal, the Son Eternal, and the Holy Ghost Eternal and yet they are not Three Eternals but One Eternal. As also there are not Three Uncreated, nor Three Incomprehensibles, but One Uncreated, and One Uncomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not Three Almighties but One Almighty.
OTHER CREEDS OTHER CREEDS 1. The Social Creed 2. A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada (UMH #883) 3. A Statement of Faith of the Korean Methodist Church (UMH #884) 4. A Modern Affirmation (UMH #885) 5. The World Methodist Social Affirmation (UMH #886) 6. Affirmation from Romans 8:35, 37-39 (UMH #887) 7. Affirmation from 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 & Colossians 1:15-20 8. Affirmation from 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1:15, 3:16
THE SHIFTING TRENDS THE SHIFTING TRENDS 1.Greater focus on the individual (worship about us) 2.Movement from active to passive worship 3.Movement from inspiration to encouragement & comfort 4.Movement from process to stasis 5.Movement from interaction to performance 6. Change in understanding of rote and repetition
THE WAYS WE WORSHIP THE WAYS WE WORSHIP REMEMBERING WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND RETHINKING WHY WE NO LONGER DO WHAT WE NO LONGER DO!
THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Entrance & Gathering Proclamation & Response Scripture Sermon Response to the Word Prayers & Concerns Confession, Pardon & Peace Offering & Thanksgiving Holy Communion Sending Forth
JOHN WESLEY ON PRAYER JOHN WESLEY ON PRAYER On every occasion of uneasiness, we should retire to prayer, that we may give place to the grace and light of God and then form our resolutions, without being in any pain about what success they may have. In the greatest temptations, a single look to Christ, and the barely pronouncing his name, suffices to overcome the wicked one, so it be done with confidence and calmness of spirit. Pray for: Guidance Healing Peace Those who suffer Those who mourn The poor The world Leaders The Church Vision Strength Purpose John Wesley
TYPES OF PRAYER TYPES OF PRAYER 1. Thanksgiving 5. Intercession 2. Adoration and praise 6. Guidance and instruction 3. Confession 7. Contemplation 4. Petition 8. Blessing
COMMUNAL BLESSING & RENEWAL COMMUNAL BLESSING & RENEWAL 1. The Passing of the Peace 2. Commissioning & Consecration 3. Litany 4. Anointing 5. Healing 6. Laying on of Hands
THE WAYS WE WORSHIP THE WAYS WE WORSHIP REMEMBERING WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND RETHINKING WHY WE NO LONGER DO WHAT WE NO LONGER DO!
THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Entrance & Gathering Proclamation & Response Scripture Sermon Response to the Word Prayers & Concerns Confession, Pardon & Peace Offering & Thanksgiving Holy Communion Sending Forth
OFFERING & THANKSGIVING OFFERING & THANKSGIVING 1. What are we offering? 2. Where have you experienced the grace of God in your life this week? 3. Where have you extended the grace of God to others this week? 4. How have you served the Lord? 5. Memorials & remembrances
Penny Pledge, Food, Clothing, Trade Collected from homes Tithe, alms, gifts, offerings, food, clothing Collected in classes & bands People delivered money to church Tithes & Offerings Offering brought to the altar in worship Tithes & Offerings Offering gathered in pews Tithes & Offerings
OFFERING & THANKSGIVING OFFERING & THANKSGIVING 6. The Offertory (instrumental music played as the communion elements are brought to the communion table 7. Hymn of Preparation (devotional thanksgiving) 8. How have you served the Lord? 9. Doxology (words of honor and glory) 10.Prayers of Thanksgiving
THE WAYS WE WORSHIP THE WAYS WE WORSHIP REMEMBERING WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND RETHINKING WHY WE NO LONGER DO WHAT WE NO LONGER DO!
THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Entrance & Gathering Proclamation & Response Scripture Sermon Response to the Word Prayers & Concerns Confession, Pardon & Peace Offering & Thanksgiving Holy Communion Sending Forth
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WORSHIP WORSHIP 1. Holy Communion should be celebrated EVERY time we worship 2. Elements presented during the offertory 3. Four actions of Communion based on Jesus in the Upper Room (Thanksgiving, Consecration, Breaking, Sharing)
WESLEYS INSTRUCTIONS: WESLEY S INSTRUCTIONS: COMMUNION COMMUNION 1.Prepare heart, mind, and spirit 2.Confess, pardon, rejoice 3.Give thanks & prayer, preferably the Lord s Prayer 4.Ordained clergy preside as representatives of Christ one of three reasons for ordinations (Word, Order, Sacrament) 5.Open table not for the saved, but to save
THE DISPOSAL OF THE ELEMENTS THE DISPOSAL OF THE ELEMENTS 1.Following the communion celebration of the gathered body: 1.Distribution to the sick, homebound, and others not present for the Lord s Supper 2.Reverently consumed by pastors and laity leaders 3.Returned to the earth, bread scattered on the ground, wine/juice poured out upon the ground
SENDING FORTH SENDING FORTH 1.Prayer of Thanksgiving and Celebratory Hymn 2.Consecration to service in the world 3.Blessing & Benediction 4.Triumphal music
