This report is based on my experiences of a Eucharistic service I attended on the 26th of February 2012 at the Church of St Paul, Symonds Street, Auckland. The demographic makeup of this service is hard to pinpoint, however, the overall congregation appears to be thirty years plus, Pakeha, from disparate locations throughout Auckland and primarily professional. The ministry context is one of a Tikanga Pakeha setting with a very low liturgical tradition and a strongly charismatic flavour, with this service, at 3:30 on Sunday, being the only service overtly in relationship with the Anglican liturgical tradition. The aim of this report is to evaluate the service and my experiences being a part of it, this will be done, principally, through examination of the liturgical space, use of music, hospitality, nature of the worship leading and liturgy, the presentation of biblical texts and sermon, and finally reflection upon my own feelings as to how worship went overall.
Liturgical Space
The liturgical space within St Paul’s is a somewhat bewildering place to enter for those familiar with more ‘traditional’ layouts. The seating has been turned toward the wall rather than the sanctuary, in which itself seats are placed and turned away from the magnificent altar-table behind them. Chairs over-ride much of the congregational space, making a busy environment reminiscent of, for me, more a Church AGM than of a worship setting. I am unable to recall whether a font held any place of prominence, but given this the likelihood is that is was not. When I took my seat, the primary draw of attention I experienced was, firstly, the two large projection screens on which notices we shown, and secondly, the many instruments lying against the w...
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... the way in which aspects of the service, distribution of the elements primarily, were handled. Positively, however, I was able to connect with God through the music which seemed more reflective of the feeling within the congregation than traditional hymn and choir led music is. I found the congregations involvement and parts played to be very strong, demonstrating a community that is well in touch with its worshiping life and role. And finally, the sermon was one, I felt, of true proclamation; almost like a new Theophany or Christophany, which, in essence, is what should occur when the scriptures are opened and Christ proclaimed.
Works Cited
Chan, Simon. Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshipping Community. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
White, James F. Introduction to Christian Worship. 3rd Edition. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2000.
Wilson, Barbara S., Arlene Flancher, and Susan T. Erdey. The Episcopal Handbook. New York, NY: Morehouse Pub., 2008. Print.
· Lewis, CS. Mere Christianity. New York: Doubleday, 1982. · McBride, David. The Story of the Church.
Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 19(1), 69-84. Heim, D. (1996). The 'Standard'. Phil Jackson, Seeker in Sneakers. Christian Century, 133(20), 654-656.
This experience was really out of my comfort zone. It was hard to be an outsider and not prepared for what was to come and not speaking one of the languages used to understand the entire service. This service learning project gave me the opportunity to try a new church and gain a deeper respect for a different religion. Everyone at the service was very educated on speaking the sacred texts and participating in the rituals practiced. I hope to have gained a better understanding for those who are new to religions and are nervous to come to a worship service. I will make more of an effort to be welcoming and accommodating to those who are new to our church.
In my paper I will talk about my visit to The Community Church at Murphy's Landing (CCML). I have chosen this particular Church because it is a family church type and my neighbor goes there and she encouraged me to go with her. I went there with my neighbor on April 6, 2014.This church is an appropriate for this assignment because the people there are welcoming me with an open heart and they are willing to help and provide me with information. When I visit the Church’s site I read these words “We know visiting a new church can be intimidating. But, we want to help you to be as comfortable as possible when and if you join us”. The people gather in the church weekly to glorify God in joyful worship. The expressions of worship on CCML take many forms a prayer, a hymn of reverent awe, a guitar ringing with a chorus of praise, or a warm handshake and a welcoming smile. Their weekly services begin at 9:30 each Sunday at church. Also, they have weekly podcast if anyone wants to listen online. They have many types of services for parents, kids and students. People at CCML were so friendly; they gather around me and start welcoming me, one by one. People there introducing themselves to me, one after another and provide me with their contact information and help. Then we start talking about the church services and Christianity in particular. The mission of CCML was knowing, growing and loving. They seek to live out our mission by worshipping together as a local community of believers, growing in spiritual maturity through discipleship, education, and small groups, caring for one another within the context of the larger church body and small groups, and Communicating the love of Christ to our world, both through local outreach and global mis...
Venturing inside, we all noticed two things very quickly: we were at once wearing entirely too much clothing to be comfortable in the sweltering heat, and entirely too little to fit in with the rest of the congregants assembled. And yet we were welcomed with open arms. We had arrived, the Reverend Rogers L. Pruitt emphasized as we filed into the sanctuary, on a very special day. As he distributed bulletins and hearty handshakes to the rest of the group, I noticed that the front of mine read "Fragment Day." As I looked around the modest sanctuary, I wondered what the service had in store for us.
Jenkins, Phillips. The Lost History of Christianity. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Print. Phillips, Jonathan.
Marthaler, Berard L. “The Creed: The Apostolic Faith in Contemporary Theology”. 3rd ed. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2010. Print.
"EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 & 2." EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 2. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.
In an age when culture continues to lower standards of intellect, Marva Dawn makes compelling observations and suggestions for the Church to rethink its’ strategy on impacting society. How do we evangelize without weakening the message of what we are communicating? The majority of her text focuses on the worship environment generally, but later she focuses on music, preaching, and liturgy specifically. According to Dawn, a gathering of believers should emphasize God as the subject and object of worship, challenge each individual to grow in godly character, and accentuate the community of believers (not only in the room, but throughout history as well). Through this grid, she encourages leaders and participants to evaluate each worship element. If these primary goals are accomplished, then worship will not be empty and simpleminded. Instead the worship atmosphere would be held to a higher standard and, she believes, both pleasing to God and attractive to those who do not know God.
Rourke, Nancy. “Christianity Notes.” Religion 101 Notes Christianity. Entry posted April 14, 2011. https ://angel.canisius.edu/section/default.asp?id=43760%5FSpring2011 (accessed April 18, 2011).
Overall, this book helped me become more aware of my weaknesses with my preaching style and also gave me tools to strengthen them. The examples are very basic and practical and helped highlight key skills and situations that a preacher can experience when doing a sermon. This book added more knowledge to me and gave me new insights that I can use as a tool when I go back with my ministry as a youth worker.
The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved February 21, 2010 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org
Westphal, M. (2009). Whose Community? Which Interpretation?: Philosophical Hermeneutics for the Church. Baker Academic. 107
...nity and brought the Christian faith into another atmosphere that was more inviting. It portrayed a better image of how the Church of Christ should be.