Lesson 1
Worship
THE WINGS OF WORSHIP
Overview
Opening Activities
1. Prayer
2. Sing "O Magnify the Lord"
3. Group activity. The idea here is to cause confusion in getting the group to a desired goal. One possibility is to say we are going to move as a group to such and such a place by using directions prepared for us. Cut enough papers (ahead of time) for everyone to have one. Write directions that will confuse the group process, such as: take two steps forward and one step back; take one step to the left, and one to the right; take three steps forward and turn around and take three steps backward or to keep circling around one person. Draw the comparison to a congregation of people worshiping in their own way.
4. Take five minutes and write an order of worship for the Sunday morning service. Please place your name on it so it can be passed back to you at the end of the course so that you can use it as a basis for comparison to see if any of your ideas have changed. Remember, this is to be your order of worship.
Information
The purpose of this course is to help bring one accord in worship in the Sunday morning worship service through education, discussion and participation of clergy and laity.
Worship is declaring the worth of God. Corporate worship is what a group of people do while they are gathered to declare the worth of God (for us that group is a group of Christians). That gathering usually occurs in a place that is considered to be sacred, such as a church, but it does not have to be. The expressions of that worthiness take the form of praise and thanks to God, hearing and proclaiming the Word of God, and administering and receiving the sacraments (communion and baptism).
What is done by means of form and practice is called the liturgy. The liturgy of a congregation is its way of doing worship. It is the forms and practices which are used to give direction and order and meaning to the service.
The value of the liturgy is not as to whether it is formal, informal, structured or free, but it is in the fact that it is an accepted pattern that helps the corporate body to express the worthiness of God (to praise God). It is a highway with entrance ramps for the individual to enter into the flow of traffic, the flow of corporate worship. It is a means by which the individual and corporate body may wing their flight to celestial glory.
The best worship service for a particular gathered group of people is what helps that group of people to declare the worth of God. The forms must have meaning to those who are present. They must not raise barriers. A common language of worship must be spoken. As one person cannot speak two languages at once, but must choose a common language to communicate in a group, we must seek a common language of worship in a group in order to dialogue and commune with God and each other because it is corporate.
The question, then, becomes: "Will the form enable the corporate body to worship?" That being the case, there are cultural factors to be considered in worship. The type and amount of participation in liturgical celebrations using the symbols of faith - and the use of music are always influenced by the social customs of the local setting. It is, therefore, essential to relate the style of liturgy to the nature of the congregation.
Biblical and historical understandings also influence the cultural factors. The present is a product of the past. Sometimes, the present is a reaction to the past but, it is, nonetheless, influenced by the past.
Worship is anamnestic (bringing the past into the present) and proleptic (bringing the future into the present). It is corporate dialogue and communion with God by word, sacrament (baptism and communion), rite, song, prayer and silence.
The God who is worshiped is imminent (present and operating within creation) and transcendent (above and beyond creation, apart from the material universe). That God became flesh in Jesus Christ and is in our midst as we gather in Jesus' name: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20, NIV)."
Worship is to be done "in spirit and in truth (John 4:24, NIV)." That is, worship is to come from the inner being of humanity. Worship is not a posture, although postures are helpful. Worship is not a place, although places can be helpful or harmful. Worship comes from within humanity, the inner being; it is ascribing worthiness to God.
The church is that place where the people of God encourage one another, learn about God, receive the sacraments (baptism and communion) - not the only place, but a special place consecrated for that. It is the place where the Word of God is in creative tension with the people of God and is experienced through the preaching, singing, praying, praising, sacraments, discipling and the fellowshiping.
Corporate worship is most effective when it is done in one accord - that is, when people are gathered worshiping God from within, allowing the liturgy to be the entrance ramp to the highway of praise. When the disciples were gathered together on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came on them and the church was born. They were in one accord. The liturgy is most effective when it invites the full participation of all present. It invites the full participation when it is understood or, at least, accepted as worship.
Corporate worship is the corporate declaration of the worthiness of God. It is dialogue and communion with oneself, with God, and with others. The liturgy, what is done in public to worship, is best when those present understand it and enter into one accord - oneness of mind and spirit. It is a vehicle to enhance that dialogue and communion. It may vary from local setting to local setting, or even from service to service. Cultural factors, biblical and historical understandings, and traditions are to be considered in creating the particular liturgies.
The liturgy may consist of the word and table (communion and Scripture reading and preaching) at every worship service or may consist of communion alone, or a service of the word. However, it must be done in "spirit and in truth." The key is the worship of God from the inner being.
Discussion Questions
1. What is your personal goal in worship?
2. What is the church?
3. What are some of the cultural factors that influence our worship?
4. What are some biblical and historical factors that influence our worship?
5. What are your expectations of the worship service?
Evaluations
Have course participants complete the weekly evaluation form from page 63 (you may make copies) and hand it in at the end of the class period.
Opening Activities
1. Prayer
2. Sing "O Magnify the Lord"
3. Group activity. The idea here is to cause confusion in getting the group to a desired goal. One possibility is to say we are going to move as a group to such and such a place by using directions prepared for us. Cut enough papers (ahead of time) for everyone to have one. Write directions that will confuse the group process, such as: take two steps forward and one step back; take one step to the left, and one to the right; take three steps forward and turn around and take three steps backward or to keep circling around one person. Draw the comparison to a congregation of people worshiping in their own way.
4. Take five minutes and write an order of worship for the Sunday morning service. Please place your name on it so it can be passed back to you at the end of the course so that you can use it as a basis for comparison to see if any of your ideas have changed. Remember, this is to be your order of worship.
Information
The purpose of this course is to help bring one accord in worship in the Sunday morning worship service through education, discussion and participation of clergy and laity.
Worship is declaring the worth of God. Corporate worship is what a group of people do while they are gathered to declare the worth of God (for us that group is a group of Christians). That gathering usually occurs in a place that is considered to be sacred, such as a church, but it does not have to be. The expressions of that worthiness take the form of praise and thanks to God, hearing and proclaiming the Word of God, and administering and receiving the sacraments (communion and baptism).
What is done by means of form and practice is called the liturgy. The liturgy of a congregation is its way of doing worship. It is the forms and practices which are used to give direction and order and meaning to the service.
The value of the liturgy is not as to whether it is formal, informal, structured or free, but it is in the fact that it is an accepted pattern that helps the corporate body to express the worthiness of God (to praise God). It is a highway with entrance ramps for the individual to enter into the flow of traffic, the flow of corporate worship. It is a means by which the individual and corporate body may wing their flight to celestial glory.
The best worship service for a particular gathered group of people is what helps that group of people to declare the worth of God. The forms must have meaning to those who are present. They must not raise barriers. A common language of worship must be spoken. As one person cannot speak two languages at once, but must choose a common language to communicate in a group, we must seek a common language of worship in a group in order to dialogue and commune with God and each other because it is corporate.
The question, then, becomes: "Will the form enable the corporate body to worship?" That being the case, there are cultural factors to be considered in worship. The type and amount of participation in liturgical celebrations using the symbols of faith - and the use of music are always influenced by the social customs of the local setting. It is, therefore, essential to relate the style of liturgy to the nature of the congregation.
Biblical and historical understandings also influence the cultural factors. The present is a product of the past. Sometimes, the present is a reaction to the past but, it is, nonetheless, influenced by the past.
Worship is anamnestic (bringing the past into the present) and proleptic (bringing the future into the present). It is corporate dialogue and communion with God by word, sacrament (baptism and communion), rite, song, prayer and silence.
The God who is worshiped is imminent (present and operating within creation) and transcendent (above and beyond creation, apart from the material universe). That God became flesh in Jesus Christ and is in our midst as we gather in Jesus' name: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20, NIV)."
Worship is to be done "in spirit and in truth (John 4:24, NIV)." That is, worship is to come from the inner being of humanity. Worship is not a posture, although postures are helpful. Worship is not a place, although places can be helpful or harmful. Worship comes from within humanity, the inner being; it is ascribing worthiness to God.
The church is that place where the people of God encourage one another, learn about God, receive the sacraments (baptism and communion) - not the only place, but a special place consecrated for that. It is the place where the Word of God is in creative tension with the people of God and is experienced through the preaching, singing, praying, praising, sacraments, discipling and the fellowshiping.
Corporate worship is most effective when it is done in one accord - that is, when people are gathered worshiping God from within, allowing the liturgy to be the entrance ramp to the highway of praise. When the disciples were gathered together on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came on them and the church was born. They were in one accord. The liturgy is most effective when it invites the full participation of all present. It invites the full participation when it is understood or, at least, accepted as worship.
Corporate worship is the corporate declaration of the worthiness of God. It is dialogue and communion with oneself, with God, and with others. The liturgy, what is done in public to worship, is best when those present understand it and enter into one accord - oneness of mind and spirit. It is a vehicle to enhance that dialogue and communion. It may vary from local setting to local setting, or even from service to service. Cultural factors, biblical and historical understandings, and traditions are to be considered in creating the particular liturgies.
The liturgy may consist of the word and table (communion and Scripture reading and preaching) at every worship service or may consist of communion alone, or a service of the word. However, it must be done in "spirit and in truth." The key is the worship of God from the inner being.
Discussion Questions
1. What is your personal goal in worship?
2. What is the church?
3. What are some of the cultural factors that influence our worship?
4. What are some biblical and historical factors that influence our worship?
5. What are your expectations of the worship service?
Evaluations
Have course participants complete the weekly evaluation form from page 63 (you may make copies) and hand it in at the end of the class period.
