A Celebration of John Wesley's Aldersgate Experience
Worship
AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL PLACES
FIFTEEN READY-TO-USE SPECIAL OCCASION WORSHIP SERVICES FROM CHRISTIAN HISTORY AND TRADITION
Background
John Wesley was a reformer in the Church of England. He was influenced by several sources including the Moravians, as well as a rather disastrous experience as a Missionary to Georgia. Wesley's struggle of faith led to a rediscovery of salvation by faith. A key experience of that struggle of faith is highlighted in this service based on his experience of personal salvation and renewal.
Earlier Puritanism and Pietism was essentially a reform movement, particularly in the area of personal devotion and discipline. Wesley continued a reaction against formalism and dead orthodoxy. John Wesley came to stress grace and forgiveness in an Anglican Church that had lapsed into preaching moralism and mere ethics. Wesley sought to combine a warmhearted religion with practical social and ethical teaching.
John Wesley became the most famous of the eighteenth century English Evangelicalists. His theology moved from an over-scrupulous catholic piety to Pietist conversionism. He was interested in the experience of assurance of God's salvation. This new start was due largely to his contact with the Moravians, including visits to their settlements in Germany after he returned from Georgia. This new start and direction in his life was in a Moravian Society in London. His societies, classes and bands are similar to Moravian organizations that allowed close and constant mutual supervision of all members and provided a sphere of lay ministry.
English Methodist worship, apart from the Church of England, included quarterly "love feasts," watch nights observed monthly at first, and then only on New Year's Eve, and a covenant service
adopted from Puritan worship. Methodist worship was known by free prayer and the singing of Methodist hymns. Anthems were not permitted and instruments were rarely used. The hymns of John Wesley's brother Charles were one of the greatest Methodist contributions to Christian worship. Methodist worship developed out of informal supplements to the traditional Anglican worship and in time had greater meaning and influence than the established worship for those who became part of the Methodist movement.
This service was prepared originally by Rev. Dr. Ronald Gibbons, minister of Wesley's Chapel, London at the request of the worship committee of the World Methodist Council and is used with only minor alterations.
Planning and Worship Suggestions
A study of the Book of Romans, the preface to the Book of Romans by Martin Luther, or a study of John Wesley can help people grow in understanding and an appreciation for giants of the faith. The exploration of the struggle of faith, of the place of God's grace and God's assurance can develop our theological insights. In preparing for this worship service, such studies would be most appropriate.
The actual physical preparation for the service requires little special attention. The reading of the text with its old spellings and sentence structure may require several practice settings. Failure to be familiar and comfortable with the text can divert people from worship.
As to a sermon to use with this service, the forty-four sermons of John Wesley, widely available, may suggest a topic. The temptation may arise to read one of Wesley's sermons. Unless one is particularly adept at reading another person's sermons, this should be discouraged.
John Wesley preached in the traditional academic robe that many ministers use today. This robe comes originally out of the university setting and was used in the church as ordained ministers came to be university trained.
Order of Worship
Processional Music
Hymn "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" Charles Wesley
Introduction
Today we celebrate the Aldersgate experience of a Father in God, John Wesley. On May 24th, 1738, God the Holy Spirit empowered this Church of England clergyman to become the evangelist of the Methodist movement. Our worship today helps us to recall and relive these dynamic beginnings.
Thanksgiving
Minister: We give thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of John Wesley. Jesus had promised his disciples that if they would wait with patience and faith at Jerusalem they would receive the Holy Spirit. Whenever God is manifested in this way, great and wonderful things have happened. The New Testament records the most dynamic event of all, in Acts, Chapter 2.
Reader #1: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Minister: Let us listen to a familiar passage from John Wesley's Journal.
Wednefday, May 24, 1738
What occur'd on Wedn. 24, 1 think beft to relate at large, after premifing what may make it the better underftood. Let him that cannot receive it, afk of the Father of Lights, that he would give more Light to both him and me. I think it was about five this Morning, that I opened my Teftament on thofe Words. There are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promifes, even that ye thould be Partakers of the divine Nature. 2 Peter. i. 4. Juft as I went out, I open'd it again on thofe Words, Thou are not far from the Kingdom of God. In the Afternoon I was afk'd to go to St. Paul's. The Anthem was, Out of the Deep have I call'd unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my Voice. O let thine Ears confider well the Voice of my Complaint, If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amifs, O Lord, who may abide it? But there is mercy with thee: therefore thou fhalt be feared. O Ifrael, truft in the Lord: For with the Lord there is Mercy and with him is plenteous Redemption. And he fhall redeem Ifrael from all his Sins.
In the Evening I went very unwillingly to a Society in Alderfgate Street, where one was reading Luther's Preface to the Epiftle to the Romans. About a Quarter before nine, while he was defcribing the Change which God works in the Heart thro' Faith in Chrift, I felt my Heart ftrangely warm'd. I felt I did truft in Chrift, Chrift alone for Salvation: And an Affurance was given to me. That He had taken away my sins, even mine, and faved me from the Law of Sin and Death.
- John Wesley
Hymn "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" Charles Wesley
Confession
Minister: Let us confess our own inadequate response to the Holy Spirit's call; and let us be reminded of God's promise of forgiveness and the gift of hope.
(To be read by all) Lord God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Sarah and Jacob, of all the prophets, of Mary, Jesus, Peter and Paul, of Francis, Luther, and Wesley, and of your people gathered here, we now join ourselves to the host of your witness in confession of our sins. We acknowledge before God, that we have lacked faith in your love and power. We have been timid in our response to your call. As inheritors of the Wesleyan revival, we have allowed the fire of your power to die in our lives. While being counted as your children, we have grown cold, cynical and rebellious. As we come in confession, help us now to feel again the renewing fire of your burning love, and forgive us our sins, for Jesus' sake.
Minister: When God speaks and the people listen, situations change and new opportunities arise. When God's people come in true confession and penitence, God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. God tells us that by the love given to the world through Jesus, we are reconciled to God by his resurrection. These miracles of grace are now given to us, and I declare unto you God's promise of salvation. Go in peace.
Hymn "A Charge to Keep I Have"
Charles Wesley
Introduction to the Message
Minister: Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans was being read during John Wesley's heartwarming experience. A key passage from Luther's Preface is as follows, from the 1662 edition.
A Reader: "He that doeth not his good work of such alively affection of the heart is wholly in unbelief and a stranger and aliant from the faith, as many of these to which in schooles dispute and jangle much of Faith and good works, not knowing what they speake, or what they hold and affirme. Faith therefore is a constant trust and a sure confidence of the mercie of God towards us, which is lively and worketh mightily in our hearts whereby we commit our selves wholly to God, casting all our care upon him: leaning and trusting assuredly to his Faith, we are not affrayde to die a thousand times."
Minister: Let us now hear a passage from the Epistle to the Romans itself, Chapter 8.
A Reader: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending Jesus in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Minister: Eighteen days after the Aldersgate experience, John Wesley preached at St. Mary's Church, Oxford, on Romans Chapter 4 verse 5. The sermon is among the Forty-Four Sermons forming the doctrinal basis of Methodist Theology. Here is an extract.
A Reader: ... We are simply told that salvation by faith only ought not to be preached as the first doctrine, or, at least, not to be preached to all. But what saith the Holy Ghost? "Other foundation can no one lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ." So then, that "whosoever believeth on him shall be saved," is, and must be, the foundation of all our preaching, that is, must be preached first. "Well, but not to all." To whom then are we not to preach? Whom shall we excerpt? The poor? Nay, they have a peculiar right to have the gospel preached unto them. The unlearned? No. God hath revealed these things unto learned and ignorant people from the beginning. The young? By no means, "Suffer these," in any wise, to come unto Christ, "and forbid them not." The sinners? Lest of all. "God came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Why then, if any, we are to except the rich, the learned, the reputable, the moral people. And, it is true, they too often except themselves from hearing; yet we must speak the words of our Lord. For thus the tenor of our commission runs, "Go and preach the gospel to every creature." If any one wrest it, or any part of it, to your destruction, one must bear his own burden. But still, "As the Lord liveth, whatsoever the Lord saith unto us, that we will speak."
The Offering and Anthem
The Message
The Children's Story
Sermon
Minister
Hymn "And Are We Yet Alive"
Altar Prayer by the Congregation: Almighty God, who raised up your servants John and Charles Wesley to proclaim anew the gift of redemption and the life of holiness, be with us their children and revive your work among us; that, inspired by the same faith, and upheld by the same grace in Word and Sacrament, we and all your people may be made one in the unity of Christ's church on earth, even as in heaven we are made one in Jesus. Through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.
Benediction
Minister
John Wesley was a reformer in the Church of England. He was influenced by several sources including the Moravians, as well as a rather disastrous experience as a Missionary to Georgia. Wesley's struggle of faith led to a rediscovery of salvation by faith. A key experience of that struggle of faith is highlighted in this service based on his experience of personal salvation and renewal.
Earlier Puritanism and Pietism was essentially a reform movement, particularly in the area of personal devotion and discipline. Wesley continued a reaction against formalism and dead orthodoxy. John Wesley came to stress grace and forgiveness in an Anglican Church that had lapsed into preaching moralism and mere ethics. Wesley sought to combine a warmhearted religion with practical social and ethical teaching.
John Wesley became the most famous of the eighteenth century English Evangelicalists. His theology moved from an over-scrupulous catholic piety to Pietist conversionism. He was interested in the experience of assurance of God's salvation. This new start was due largely to his contact with the Moravians, including visits to their settlements in Germany after he returned from Georgia. This new start and direction in his life was in a Moravian Society in London. His societies, classes and bands are similar to Moravian organizations that allowed close and constant mutual supervision of all members and provided a sphere of lay ministry.
English Methodist worship, apart from the Church of England, included quarterly "love feasts," watch nights observed monthly at first, and then only on New Year's Eve, and a covenant service
adopted from Puritan worship. Methodist worship was known by free prayer and the singing of Methodist hymns. Anthems were not permitted and instruments were rarely used. The hymns of John Wesley's brother Charles were one of the greatest Methodist contributions to Christian worship. Methodist worship developed out of informal supplements to the traditional Anglican worship and in time had greater meaning and influence than the established worship for those who became part of the Methodist movement.
This service was prepared originally by Rev. Dr. Ronald Gibbons, minister of Wesley's Chapel, London at the request of the worship committee of the World Methodist Council and is used with only minor alterations.
Planning and Worship Suggestions
A study of the Book of Romans, the preface to the Book of Romans by Martin Luther, or a study of John Wesley can help people grow in understanding and an appreciation for giants of the faith. The exploration of the struggle of faith, of the place of God's grace and God's assurance can develop our theological insights. In preparing for this worship service, such studies would be most appropriate.
The actual physical preparation for the service requires little special attention. The reading of the text with its old spellings and sentence structure may require several practice settings. Failure to be familiar and comfortable with the text can divert people from worship.
As to a sermon to use with this service, the forty-four sermons of John Wesley, widely available, may suggest a topic. The temptation may arise to read one of Wesley's sermons. Unless one is particularly adept at reading another person's sermons, this should be discouraged.
John Wesley preached in the traditional academic robe that many ministers use today. This robe comes originally out of the university setting and was used in the church as ordained ministers came to be university trained.
Order of Worship
Processional Music
Hymn "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" Charles Wesley
Introduction
Today we celebrate the Aldersgate experience of a Father in God, John Wesley. On May 24th, 1738, God the Holy Spirit empowered this Church of England clergyman to become the evangelist of the Methodist movement. Our worship today helps us to recall and relive these dynamic beginnings.
Thanksgiving
Minister: We give thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of John Wesley. Jesus had promised his disciples that if they would wait with patience and faith at Jerusalem they would receive the Holy Spirit. Whenever God is manifested in this way, great and wonderful things have happened. The New Testament records the most dynamic event of all, in Acts, Chapter 2.
Reader #1: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Minister: Let us listen to a familiar passage from John Wesley's Journal.
Wednefday, May 24, 1738
What occur'd on Wedn. 24, 1 think beft to relate at large, after premifing what may make it the better underftood. Let him that cannot receive it, afk of the Father of Lights, that he would give more Light to both him and me. I think it was about five this Morning, that I opened my Teftament on thofe Words. There are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promifes, even that ye thould be Partakers of the divine Nature. 2 Peter. i. 4. Juft as I went out, I open'd it again on thofe Words, Thou are not far from the Kingdom of God. In the Afternoon I was afk'd to go to St. Paul's. The Anthem was, Out of the Deep have I call'd unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my Voice. O let thine Ears confider well the Voice of my Complaint, If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amifs, O Lord, who may abide it? But there is mercy with thee: therefore thou fhalt be feared. O Ifrael, truft in the Lord: For with the Lord there is Mercy and with him is plenteous Redemption. And he fhall redeem Ifrael from all his Sins.
In the Evening I went very unwillingly to a Society in Alderfgate Street, where one was reading Luther's Preface to the Epiftle to the Romans. About a Quarter before nine, while he was defcribing the Change which God works in the Heart thro' Faith in Chrift, I felt my Heart ftrangely warm'd. I felt I did truft in Chrift, Chrift alone for Salvation: And an Affurance was given to me. That He had taken away my sins, even mine, and faved me from the Law of Sin and Death.
- John Wesley
Hymn "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" Charles Wesley
Confession
Minister: Let us confess our own inadequate response to the Holy Spirit's call; and let us be reminded of God's promise of forgiveness and the gift of hope.
(To be read by all) Lord God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Sarah and Jacob, of all the prophets, of Mary, Jesus, Peter and Paul, of Francis, Luther, and Wesley, and of your people gathered here, we now join ourselves to the host of your witness in confession of our sins. We acknowledge before God, that we have lacked faith in your love and power. We have been timid in our response to your call. As inheritors of the Wesleyan revival, we have allowed the fire of your power to die in our lives. While being counted as your children, we have grown cold, cynical and rebellious. As we come in confession, help us now to feel again the renewing fire of your burning love, and forgive us our sins, for Jesus' sake.
Minister: When God speaks and the people listen, situations change and new opportunities arise. When God's people come in true confession and penitence, God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. God tells us that by the love given to the world through Jesus, we are reconciled to God by his resurrection. These miracles of grace are now given to us, and I declare unto you God's promise of salvation. Go in peace.
Hymn "A Charge to Keep I Have"
Charles Wesley
Introduction to the Message
Minister: Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans was being read during John Wesley's heartwarming experience. A key passage from Luther's Preface is as follows, from the 1662 edition.
A Reader: "He that doeth not his good work of such alively affection of the heart is wholly in unbelief and a stranger and aliant from the faith, as many of these to which in schooles dispute and jangle much of Faith and good works, not knowing what they speake, or what they hold and affirme. Faith therefore is a constant trust and a sure confidence of the mercie of God towards us, which is lively and worketh mightily in our hearts whereby we commit our selves wholly to God, casting all our care upon him: leaning and trusting assuredly to his Faith, we are not affrayde to die a thousand times."
Minister: Let us now hear a passage from the Epistle to the Romans itself, Chapter 8.
A Reader: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending Jesus in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Minister: Eighteen days after the Aldersgate experience, John Wesley preached at St. Mary's Church, Oxford, on Romans Chapter 4 verse 5. The sermon is among the Forty-Four Sermons forming the doctrinal basis of Methodist Theology. Here is an extract.
A Reader: ... We are simply told that salvation by faith only ought not to be preached as the first doctrine, or, at least, not to be preached to all. But what saith the Holy Ghost? "Other foundation can no one lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ." So then, that "whosoever believeth on him shall be saved," is, and must be, the foundation of all our preaching, that is, must be preached first. "Well, but not to all." To whom then are we not to preach? Whom shall we excerpt? The poor? Nay, they have a peculiar right to have the gospel preached unto them. The unlearned? No. God hath revealed these things unto learned and ignorant people from the beginning. The young? By no means, "Suffer these," in any wise, to come unto Christ, "and forbid them not." The sinners? Lest of all. "God came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Why then, if any, we are to except the rich, the learned, the reputable, the moral people. And, it is true, they too often except themselves from hearing; yet we must speak the words of our Lord. For thus the tenor of our commission runs, "Go and preach the gospel to every creature." If any one wrest it, or any part of it, to your destruction, one must bear his own burden. But still, "As the Lord liveth, whatsoever the Lord saith unto us, that we will speak."
The Offering and Anthem
The Message
The Children's Story
Sermon
Minister
Hymn "And Are We Yet Alive"
Altar Prayer by the Congregation: Almighty God, who raised up your servants John and Charles Wesley to proclaim anew the gift of redemption and the life of holiness, be with us their children and revive your work among us; that, inspired by the same faith, and upheld by the same grace in Word and Sacrament, we and all your people may be made one in the unity of Christ's church on earth, even as in heaven we are made one in Jesus. Through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.
Benediction
Minister
