i make it to chapel most of the time. there aren't many days when i miss. there is something about going to worship/devotion/service/homily (whatever you want to call it) with the community here. i admit, i'm a sucker for lots of men singing, who actually know how to sing. but at the same time, there are many days when i walk away frustrated. many days, i am a horrible critic. i think the music is too slow, the sermon too lecture like, the prayers too robotic. maybe that comes from growing up in the church and going to parochial schools all my life, i've seen my fair share of church and chapel services.
there has been a lot of discussion here and in synod about worship. honestly, i think it can be quite tiresome at times. while i appreciate a good praise band, nothing makes me more happy than a cantor who can actually sing leading matins. i am realizing that it's not so much about what is done, but if it is done well. maybe that is the perfectionist in me, but if we are talking about worshipping the God of the universe, wouldn't we want to use our gifts to offer the best we can do?
anyways, yesterday combined two worlds that i thought would remain forever apart. in chapel, we did morning prayer with an organ and a band. the best part had to be the prayers of the church. while the band played "only you" by the david crowder band, the prayers of the people were spoken at the same time. it might have been the most beautiful collision of the two worlds that seem set at odds against each other here.
i also got invited to be a part of the final project for the preaching to post-moderns class last night. the homily was about the prodigal son and how the student is actually still waiting and praying for his son to return. the service was really well done. i think my favorite part was the individual absolution. you don't get to do that very often and while i wasn't sure that i wanted to go up there, it ended up being the most impacting.
so what did i learn from this day of liturgy? worlds can collide and things can be done well. especially when God gets all the glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment