Liturgy

Posted on June 20, 2007
Filed Under church, worship | 6 Comments

I’ve been thinking today about liturgy and whether it is over used in some churches, and not used enough in other churches? This year we returned to the Anglican church, having been away from it for over seven years. Jonathan and I are not denominational, we just go where God wants us. However over the past seven years I did miss not having liturgy present within our church service. In saying that, though, I wonder whether liturgy is used too much within the Anglican church? Liturgy is obviously part of our Christian heritage, and I believe it has an important place within new forms of church. Sometimes during a Sunday service though, liturgy seems to roll off peoples tongues, and I wonder if they are really thinking about what they are saying? I have to hold my hands up, I am guilty of this too, as you become so used to what is about to come in the Sunday service format.

I wonder if liturgy was only said every three or four weeks whether it would have more affect on peoples thoughts? Or, if it was said every week, then if it was not done in the same format week after week? Here’s the issue though, liturgy very much forms the communion service within the Anglican church, so I guess it would be hard for them to break the mold. I’ve copied below The Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed and The Collect for Purity, for those who are interested to read them. Northumbria Community have daily offices which involve liturgy for those of you interested.

How do you use, or how would you use, liturgy within the emerging-missional (whatever your term is!) church?

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
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 men 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.
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 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 worshipped 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 Collect for Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known and from you no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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Worship

Posted on March 30, 2007
Filed Under worship | 1 Comment

I’ve been thinking about worship this morning, and how we do it. Do we make worship fall into a particular grid during our church services? I think we do. We always have a time slot for worship, and generally if the Holy Spirit is moving, then he politely gets told to stop because time has gone over and we need to hear our sermon now. Most songs we sing are congregation friendly, and some would say too femine and lovey dovey. I know in the past when I’ve had conversations with J about a particular worship song he has said “no we can’t do that it’s not congregational.” What do we mean by that? When we lived in Vancouver we used to have artists painting whilst worship was going on, along with the odd brake dancer doing his moves at the front - and what ever else went to be honest - very freeing though. At church, why don’t we spent more time with “alternative” worship, such as poetry, contemplation to instrumental music, art etc.

Most worship songs are about how great life is and that Jesus is our only focus the only one we live for. Can we honestly sing that though - is Jesus really the only one we are living for, if I’m honest I wouldn’t say that was the case in my life, I try my best, but recognise that I’m still a selfish being as well. Where are the up front honest worship songs - you know like “life sucks right now, I’m weak and struggling and have no idea if you even hear?” (I think these are what some refer to as more masculine songs). I guess they wouldn’t sell well at the Christian book store. Do we have freedom in church to really explore worship or are we too time constrained? Should worship be the main part of our church gathering, with just a 15 minute talk, or no talk at all if it is not necessary? How would you like to see worship at church, and how do you worship differently at home? I’m sure J will have an opinion on this one!

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