We have attended the liturgical church my husband attended in his youth since May 2022. Today, the first day of Advent, is the start of a new liturgical church year. I love the structure of the liturgical calendar and have followed it for almost a decade in my own devotions. It focuses on commemorations central to the Christian faith and is structured around the life and gospel of Jesus Christ. Advent starts The Time of Christmas which continues beyond Epiphany, focusing on the events in Jesus' ministry. Lent starts The Time of Easter which continues to Pentecost Sunday. The Time of the Church, or Ordinary Time fills the weeks between Pentecost and Advent.
I have come to appreciate other aspects of worship at this church.
- Scripture is central in every service with Old Testament, New Testament and Gospel readings that are thematically linked texts for the sermon. The liturgical calendar has scripture readings for every day and home devotional booklets are available for the congregation.
- Responsive prayers are a major component of the liturgy. The Lord's Prayer is included in every service as well as a collective confession of sin and plea for forgiveness.
- Adult Bible studies and Confirmation classes are taught by pastors, not the laity. I appreciate that the pastors have completed at least four years of full-time study at a seminary and are knowledgeable about scripture and doctrine.
- I love the music! There are no worship leaders and no worship band for congregational singing. There is a skilled organist who plays the pipe organ (or piano) out of sight in the rear balcony. The congregation loves to sing and no leader is required. Music ministry in many churches has become a stage show with bands, lights, and theologically anemic songs that deliver an emotional hit.
- The Communion services are sacred and meaningful in a way I have never experienced before. I love how families come to the front together, teenagers and adults receiving the host and wine and younger children receiving a blessing from the pastor.
- There are no discussions about politics from the pulpit. The pastors state their firm conviction to avoid political alignment and the gospel.
I have learned much in this church where catechism is central compared to our previous church which leaned toward special events, marketing and entertainment to attract people. We missed systematic Bible teaching and family-centred worship. I read this recent comment by Reverend Dan Scott, a pastor who writes with great insight about his spiritual journey from a Pentecostal background to a Liturgical Church. His words resonate with me.
"Our faith has undergone many variations and adaptations through its long history.
We receive it in the form it was given to us, which sometimes proves inadequate
as we mature, or encounter more of the world.
In the end though, if it is true, our faith endures whatever challenges it encounters,
and, indeed grows because of those very changes."
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