Yesterday we had, in the words of the late Robert Webber, an ancient-future service at Argyle UMC. We have four services on a regular weekend at AUMC (three Sunday morning services that are mostly 'traditional' and a Saturday 'contemporary' service, though I hate those terms). Our regular worship leader for the Saturday service, Nathan Bryant, was out of town at a wedding this weekend so I volunteered to lead the band.
Our pastor, Rev. Kory Knott, is in the middle of a sermon series inspired by Adam Hamilton, called 'The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Christians.' This week's installment was on prayer and in our worship staff meeting this week I had an idea: why not begin our move towards an ancient-future model this week by doing the last fifteen minutes of the worship service in the sanctuary in the manner of Taize? (Our Saturday service, known as evensong, meets in our fellowship hall.) I asked the rest of the worship staff to talk me out of this idea if they thought it would wreck a little bit of "liturgical violence" on our community but they said to go for it! (Which was all I needed!)
The order of the service went something like this (and it began in the fellowship hall)...
Opening Songs:
"Trading My Sorrows"
"Beautiful One"
Welcome
Lord's Prayer
"The Heart of Worship"
Sermon
Following the sermon, the entire congregation moved from the fellowship hall into the sanctuary (which is right next door) and came into an totally different environment. The sanctuary had close to 300 candles of different sizes as well icons, and incense and it was just bright enough for the people to see their bulletins, which had a guided prayer service in the manner of the Taize community. I led the congregational song with my classical guitar.
The Taize service was patterned after the ACTS model of prayer that Kory had talked about in his sermon. The Taize portion of the service was organized in the following way:
An ACTS Model of Prayer in the Manner of the Taizé Community
Adoration
Bless the Lord
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul,
who leads me into life.
Once you have learned the easy melody to this song, give praise and adoration in your heart to God for who God has show Himself to be while you sing. Think of such words as mystery, goodness, faithful, awe, reverence, grace, and love.
Confession
Kyrie Eleison 1
Kyrie, Kyrie, eleison. (hum)
This text literally translates to “God have mercy.” At the end of the musical phrase (on the word “eleison”) please hum, out loud, the pitch that you were just singing while the cantor sings the prayer. Search your heart as you sing for the things that separate you from God. Pray to God for mercy and forgiveness.
Thanksgiving
In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful,
in the Lord I will rejoice!
Look to God, do not be afraid;
lift up your voices, the Lord is near;
lift up your voices, the Lord is near.
As you lift your voice to the God that is near, tell God what you are thankful for.
Supplication
Wait for the Lord
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near;
wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart.
As you sing this song, consider asking God for what you need to be an active participant in God’s ever-growing Kingdom. Part of prayer is learning to see the world the way that God sees it. May God’s vision be yours.
You may stay and pray for as long as you like. Please exit in silence.
All songs are from the Taizé Community. Music © GIA Publications, Chicago, IL.
The service went remarkably well! I had lots of positive responses about the service and a great many people stayed after service to pray! I think we are off to a good start in implementing some ancient-future elements in our worship.
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