Communion and Reconciliation

Last Sunday we had a worship service that was youth led.  Every part of the service was created and led by youth.  We even had an elder assisting at the table who is in high school.  In the Presbyterian Book of Order, we are told that on a communion Sunday, it is appropriate for us to prepare for communion.  That is, to prepare ourselves for partaking of the meal our Savior has invited us to eat.  Perhaps you do something in particular as you get yourself ready for communion – pray a prayer, read scripture, reflect on your week and patch up a relationship that needs mending, or share with a prayer partner something that is on your heart that might keep you from fully participating in the sacrament.  Of course, even with these things in place, you can still participate – God’s grace abounds.  However, we are asked to be thoughtful about it.

Whether or not you are a Presbyterian, these are helpful words from the Presbyterian Book of Order (W-2.4006):

Around the Table of the Lord, God’s people are in communion with Christ and with all who belong to Christ. Reconciliation with Christ compels reconciliation with one another. All the baptized faithful are to be welcomed to the Table, and none shall be excluded because of race, sex, age, economic status, social class, handicapping condition, difference of culture or language, or any barrier created by human injustice. Coming to the Lord’s Table the faithful are actively to seek reconciliation in every instance of conflict or division between them and their neighbors. Each time they gather at the Table the believing community:a)     are united with the Church in every place, and the whole Church is present;
b)     join with all the faithful in heaven and on earth in offering thanksgiving to the triune God;
c)     renew the vows taken at Baptism;
and they commit themselves afresh to love and serve God, one another, and their neighbors in the world.

In many instances in the world, in our neighborhoods, cities, towns, offices, and classrooms, we cannot imagine this kind of reconciliation.  Sometimes we cannot imagine it even in the church.  Yet, we are called to it by the very One who invites us to the table.  We are invited to ask: Where in my life is reconciliation needed?  Is there someone with whom I need to be in touch, write a letter or, best, to speak face to face?  (Texting, Facebook, and email are not recommended in these instances!)   Is there someone with whom I am estranged?

When I first arrived at the church where I serve, it was surprising to find that the hymn attributed to John Calvin, father of the Presbyterian Faith, was not well known.  The hymn is, “I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art.”  It first showed up in the Genevan Psalter in 1545.  The fourth stanza is fitting for our prayers.  If you cannot bring yourself to offer reconciliation right now in the relationship or situation you find yourself, begin praying for it, and perhaps this stanza of the hymn will serve as guidance:

Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness, No harshness hast thou and no bitterness: O grant to us the grace we find in thee, That we may dwell in perfect unity.

In Christ,

Anne

A Vision for Music in Worship

Music is essential and intrinsic to a congregation’s corporate worship experience.  All those who lead music focus on three goals:

1. Bringing glory to God

2. Assisting the Congregation to Encounter the Living Lord          

3. Making music to the best of their ability     

Bringing Glory to God

Glorifying God in music, calls for forethought and prayer. Selected music should reflect creativity by using a variety of music styles and tempos. Lyrics should reflect a theology compatible with our reformed heritage. God’s majesty, power, and grace should be constant themes echoing from our music. In fact, next to the Person of Jesus Christ and Scriptures, there is no greater way to express the nature of God, then through music.

There should be a close correlation between the music performed and the Word preached. Hymns, anthems, preludes, service music- should be tied into the theme of the sermon or the liturgical season of the year.

           

Assisting the Congregation to Encounter the Living Lord  

Musicians, through prayer and talent, lead a congregation to the throne of God. To accomplish this task, it is essential that musicians and those who lead them seek God’s direction and anointing. As a preacher must pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in selecting text and composing a message, so it is incumbent upon musicians to seek the Spirit’s empowerment and wisdom. The success of any preacher or church musician lays not so much in their skill as in the Holy Spirit’s presence in their efforts.

The drama of the gospel message finds a present day stage in music. Therefore, the music ministry must bring passion to congregational worship. Creative use of instruments, voices, spoken word, space, time and even silence moves the congregation to experience the profound presence of God in our midst.  It is not enough for musicians to experience this “God in our midst moment”, they are called out to bring the whole congregation into this Holy moment and place.

             

Making Music to the Best of Our Ability

Paid staff and volunteers shall take advantage of educational opportunities to enhance their musical abilities: for example a vocal clinic or using local professionals to train choir members. (Perhaps Waynesburg College would assist for little or no fee.)

Selected music should reflect the level of volunteer musical abilities. The best methods for rehearsing should be utilized.

Long Term Vision

A church offers musical training for instrumentalist, especially organ and piano lessons. Members are encouraged to write original music and lyrics that bring glory to God.

To facilitate the above vision, music ministry leaders will need to be energetic, flexible, creative and able to work well in collaboration with others.  They must be focused not only on the quality of music but also on transforming lives for Jesus Christ through music.  

In Christ,


Linda Jaberg

Sunday Morning "Serving"

I recently spoke with some of our church leaders about how we might serve the family of God on Sunday mornings.  In other words, we talked about how we can be an encouragement to others before, during and after worship each week.  We came up with a lengthy list of ideas.  Here’s a sampling:

• Arrive a few minutes early (even as few as five minutes) for the purpose of greeting others before worship.

• If you see people coming into the building who look like they don’t know where to go, help them find their way.

• Pray during worship—for those sitting around you and for those leading up front.

• Make it a point to speak to people you don’t know.  Aim to meet one new person or family a week.

• Learn the names of our children and young people so that you can greet them by name on Sunday.

• Sing joyfully!

• Thank those who serve us on Sundays, e.g., nursery workers, church school teachers, ushers, and musicians. 

Of course, our primary purpose on Sunday morning is to worship Jesus Christ.  But as we come each week to re-center ourselves in Him, through the simple ways listed above, we can encourage others to encounter Christ, too.  What a wonderful gift!

With joy,

Steve Ebling