How we Worship continued
Language: We are called to make justice with the language of liturgy itself. The words we say and sing are chosen mindfully, liberating our understanding of God and humanity, by the use of expansive language, and metaphor that stirs our imagination. We are watchful to avoid hidden messages of domination, denigration and violence.
We write or adapt the words in our songs and prayers, or draw them from a well of inclusive resources, including
• The Inclusive Bible (by Priests for Equality)
• The New Zealand Prayer Book
• Enriching Our Worship (supplement to the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer)
--
Worship in Community: Gathering, we are seated in a circle--relational, not hierarchical--including the priest, musician and servers. We meet in the parish hall, rather than the sanctuary, for space to have circle, dance and movement. It is temporary space: sitting under a fabric canopy, we "fold our tent" each week, reminding us that our only security is in God.We move to a round table for the Eucharist, often dancing around it with our closing song.
We experience the Liturgy of the Word in song, scripture, other readings, and sermon followed by brief responses. We offer prayers for self, others, the Church and the world; and we greet one another in the Peace of Christ. Then we journey to the Liturgy of the Table. The table is round (for mutuality, hospitality and sharing).
We gather closely to sing the Eucharistic prayer and the Prayer of Jesus, and offer the bread and wine to one another in turn. Widening our circle, we bless one another, and conclude with singing and celebratory dancing.
- Opening: a song, chant or ritual, sometimes with procession
- Collect: a prayer calling us to "collect" our thought and attention to the topic of the day
- Readings: usually Hebrew scripture appointed in the Lectionary
- Reading: usually from a source other than scripture, but related to the theme
- Sequence: a song relating to the gospel for the day
- Gospel: appointed in the Lectionary
- Sermon
- Response of the People: brief responses to readings, sermon, songs etc.
- Ritual may be used, enhancing the meanings of the Liturgy of the Word.
- Prayers of People: we pray for ourselves, others, the Church and the world with a simple ritual for offering prayers, such as lighting a candle.
- The Peace: exchange of greetings in the Peace of Christ
- Offertory & Procession: Offerings are collected; we move to encircle the Table.
- Eucharist: People and Priest usually sing an original setting of the Eucharistic Prayer; and the bread and wine are consecrated and shared in turn around the circle.
- Prayer of Jesus is sung: Our Mother Our Father or Eternal Spirit, or another setting.
- Communion Hymn
- Celebration Song: (Closing Hymn) often with dancing, structured or not.
--
Creative elements interact with historical Anglican/Episcopal structure, stirring imagination and deepening our engagement. All who are called to liturgy-making bring gifts for
- • Writing prayers and blessings, sermons, reflections and poetry
- • Dressing our Sacred Space with colorful fabric, icons, images
- • Beauty-making with flowers and other gifts of nature
- • Composing original songs and musical setting of Eucharistic prayers
- • Designing ritual, movement and dance to engage our bodies
- • Imagining new ways to be co-creators with God
- • Creating/planning whole seasons.
Liturgies for a season are developed by one person or a small group, using a process of tying together necessary elements and free-form elements. The first necessary element is awareness of the reason and history behind the season. If a Lenten season is being created, for example, the design team would keep in mind the traditional themes for Lent--a time of preparation for Christianity's holiest week, the celebration of Easter. Lent is more contemplative, then, and more about the journey to Jerusalem to face the Powers with Jesus. There is more room for creative elements in Ordinary Time, when we are learning to live out the teachings of Jesus in the appointed gospels. Other necessary elements are the structures of the Episcopal Eucharist: the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Table.
--
The Lectionary: The gospels and other scriptures are chosen from the Revised Common Lectionary, a list of Old Testament, Psalms, Epistle and Gospel readings for the Sundays and Feast Days in a three-year cycle. It thus provides thematic structure for worship in a series that begins anew every three years. At St. Hildegard's, we always read the Gospel for the day, and usually one or more of the other appointed readings, as well as a choice from other literature that relates to the theme.
In the three-year cycle, Year A begins on the first Sunday in Advent in any year evenly divisible by three, and is followed in sequence by years B and C. The cycle last began on the first Sunday of Advent, 2010, so Year B begins on the first Sunday of Advent 2011. Thus, three sets of readings repeat every three years, offering the Christian Sacred Story in rich diversity.
The gospel readings in Year A are from Matthew, Year B from Mark, and Year C from Luke. Readings from John are used in various seasons and feast days throughout the cycle.
The Lectionary is Common--used by Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and increasingly in other Protestant churches--and was Revised to include more stories about women and to perceive the Hebrew Scriptures cognizant of their own integrity (not just how they relate to Christian scripture). The Episcopal Church USA has approved its use so that Episcopalians may read the same Word as many other Christians.
