WORSHIP

[Rev. Gregory Isaacson]

I have always loved going to worship. Singing hymns was the main attraction and as I matured I learned to sing in harmony and to widen the number of hymns I liked. I have also come to recognize the importance of community - of gathering with others to glorify God.

That is not to say that every worship service has been helpful. But one recognizes that through a regular practice of worship there are many more spiritual experiences that come through a variety of modes in worship that grow faith. As we explore the faith practice of worship we will touch on the various aspects of worship and see Christ who comes to us in this expression of faith.

[Rev. Gregory Isaacson]

Sunday, October 18, Hebrew 5:9, “He became the source of eternal salvation.”
Liturgy gets a bad rap from many people. People say, "It doesn't speak to me. Liturgy is dull. It's monotonous." But I also think we can only blame ourselves because we haven't taught the gift of liturgy and how it prepares us in worship. We begin in the humility of our humanity, confessing that we cannot be God. The kyrie reminds us of the promise and presence of God. We share in a common prayer. All seek to calm the anxiety of our hearts and minds so we can hear God’s word for us that day and be empowered to re-engage the world with lives of faith.

I find it interesting that as many "contemporary" churches are critical of a traditional form, the tradition is grounded in scripture, involves the community, surrounds the community in the promises of God, and prepares us to receive the gift of God's Word and the promise of the sacraments. In a world that is overly sensory stimulated, we need some time to disengage from that world and return to calming presence of a God who cares and gives life.

[Rev. Gregory Isaacson]

Monday, October 19, Mark 10:35, “…do for us whatever we ask of you.”
The tension between worship and society is that worship has to confront the self-centeredness in which we live our lives. Too often worship planners are more concerned about attracting people with something popular and making people "feel good." This becomes a problem for those attending who come looking for some compassion and understanding and who seek a God to enter into their pain for hope and healing. I am very critical of contemporary music that reflects a "me, me, me" mentality and promotes a brutal theology that we can demand God do for us in our way. How does that lift up a powerful God?

Two of my favorite hymns bring me back to God's loving care and power. "We know that Christ is Raised" and "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" returns me to a faith that trusts in God to do things in God's way and holds me secure in the promise of Christ's resurrection for me and all people.

[Rev. Gregory Isaacson]

Tuesday, October 20, Mark 10:40, “…it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
On Sunday I shared in my sermon a phrase I came across in my study. Worship reorients us to a cross-shaped life of discipleship. In the text from Sunday this is also grounded in service as we live our lives in this world. We gather to worship in the context of those in history who also have worshiped even as we look forward to the worship in God's new kingdom. When that new kingdom comes the worship will be more than inspiring. It will be in the divine presence of a God who does more than preside - our God will reside in, with, and through us (does that sound like our communion liturgy) and we will all be made whole and complete.

[Rev. Gregory Isaacson]

Wednesday, October 21, Isaiah 53:4-12, “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
I remember my first Ash Wednesday service in my first parish. In that context people knelt at the communion rail as I imposed ashes upon their foreheads. One little guy who must have been 2 or 3 years old, looked up at me big eyes and tried to push my hand away. As mother gently held his hands I calmly recited the words "Remember that you are to dust, and to dust you shall return." Yes even you small child filled with innocence and wonder, you, too, will die. How much more do we need the power of the resurrection to raise us from death than when even those who seem so full of life must also face the same tragedy as the rest. There is no denial. There is only faith in a God who promises to raise us to new life.

[Claudia Josephson]

For me, the liturgy of the Church is the highlight of my worship experience each week. I feel THIS is where we give God the honor and praise he deserves. The order of the service and the liturgy itself enables us to give back to God what we perhaps cannot do on our own. That's why I say "the grander the better" for the high Church Festivals. We need to see and hear just some of the majesty and awe due to our Lord for what he has done for us. I don't get the same feeling from attending an unstructured, comtemporary service.

[Rev. Gregory Isaacson]

Thursday, October 22, Mark 10:43, “Whoever wishes to become great … must be your servant.”
Worship is humbling. It takes us away from trusting ourselves and trusting only in this God who saves. The power of worship is that it makes no difference - your status, your wealth, your piety, your sins – we all come together to give God praise. In worship we learn the call of being a servant.

Someone once asked the late Senator Ted Kennedy, ‘Where does this rabid concern about poverty come from?’ He looked at this person like he was from Mars and said, ‘Have you never read the New Testament?’ We are humbled because there is so much work to do for the kingdom of God. In worship we are empowered to come in humility and to leave enlivened ready to engage the world with the love of God.

Can you recall a time when you were so inspired in worship that you wanted to serve in the name of Christ?

[Rev. Gregory Isaacson]

Friday, October 23, Mark 10:45, “…come not to be served but to serve.”

Worship ought to be filled with celebration and joy. But I would also ask this. Is there room for those who are feeling blue? In the context of worship we remember many things: Christmas celebrations, baptisms, weddings, confirmations, etc. But the dynamic of worship also includes funerals and those grieving losses that have no ceremonies. I’ve been told by many grieving spouses that one of the most difficult things to do is to go to church alone after their loved one passes. The sensitivity of a worshiping community can surround those who are hurting in the midst of worship to give them hope and life. Every worship service will acknowledge the brokenness and hardship in the world for those seeking validation of what they are feeling and needing to be transformed.

Have you ever felt like everyone around you was celebrating when you were feeling blue?

[Christine Roen]

It would be helpful to discuss how, as congregation members, we can help spouses return to worship and feel comfortable. Are there support helps out there we can access? I know of several who experienced this difficulty - one who failed in her attempts to return and no longer comes to church. Would this be a topic for a forum? Or, should we "just know" what to do? I don't, to be honest.


Rev. Gregory Isaacson said:

Friday, October 23, Mark 10:45, “…come not to be served but to serve.”
Worship ought to be filled with celebration and joy. But I would also ask this. Is there room for those who are feeling blue? In the context of worship we remember many things: Christmas celebrations, baptisms, weddings, confirmations, etc. But the dynamic of worship also includes funerals and those grieving losses that have no ceremonies. I’ve been told by many grieving spouses that one of the most difficult things to do is to go to church alone after their loved one passes. The sensitivity of a worshiping community can surround those who are hurting in the midst of worship to give them hope and life. Every worship service will acknowledge the brokenness and hardship in the world for those seeking validation of what they are feeling and needing to be transformed.
Have you ever felt like everyone around you was celebrating when you were feeling blue?