From: stevek
Date: Thu Apr  8 17:15:58 MST 2004
Subject: church

This noon I went to a Maundy Thursday church service at a nearby Lutheran church. It was very 'high church' with responsive liturgy, read prayers, hymns, formal communion lines w/wafers...very much not my style of worship, and yet I found it somehow liberating in allowing me to engage God in that new setting. What I mean is that not knowing the songs, I was left to read and reflect on the lyrics/being unfamiliar with the liturgy the words were not rote (maybe like some of us now with the creed?) and therefore took on more meaning as I spoke them/and taking part in the formal administration of communion gave me an opportunity to step out of my pattern in doing that and reflect again on it's true meaning. As much as we try to present an open and free form worship service, we have gotten locked in to an order of service which is predictable and usual to us. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Familiarity offers us a comfortable and non-threatening setting. The Lord doesn't want us to struggle in worship, so that's a good thing. But there exists the possibility within that setting for us to start to simply go through the motions and lose touch with the reason we're there. This Sunday we're going to be sharing our stories of belief and struggle. Prior to our vespers though there will be many other church services taking place at various times starting tomorrow (Good Friday) and then throughout the weekend. I just wanted to share my experience and encourage everyone to step out of our mold prior to vespers, and into a new setting for an Easter service with which you are not familiar with the format. It may reveal a new side of God in you and your walk which has become hazy as a result of the comfort zone in which we allow ourselves to worship week after week. God hasn't wired me for 'high church' activities, but He was there today and became real in the unfamiliarity of the setting as I had a chance to reflect in the midst of what was a comfort zone to those who were around me. Too bad they aren't going to be joining us in our zone at vespers. God'll be there, too.

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