The Work of Worship

October 9, 2012

Last Sunday the Confirmation kids discussed the topic of worship, and I shared with them the following piece that I wrote a few years ago.  I told them to listen carefully to the details, and to tell me at the end how they thought this connected to worship:  

The service begins with the gathering of the people, who enter the space and find a seat, each with an unobstructed view of the action.  There is a mixture of people, ranging from the first-time visitors to those who come so frequently that their seats are designated for them.  Ushers greet people at the door, handing out programs that list the order of the proceeding and the names of the principle players.

The service begins with the procession of important people, followed by the singing of an opening song.  Then, following an invocation, the people become hushed with anticipation for the service to begin.

Soon, the congregation is swept up in the energy and passion of the unfolding drama, as the leadership draws them into a compelling tale of good vs. evil, sacrifice, and finding your way home.

For a moment, the people are transported from the realities of their every day lives and immersed in a story that causes them to feel part of something bigger than themselves.  Through their own participation, they become part of the narrative.

The congregation speaks spontaneous words of affirmation.  At times they are prompted to gesture, clap, and recite their allegiance and commitment.  Their standing and sitting becomes part of the ritual, unscripted yet somehow anticipated. 

The service draws toward its conclusion with a final song, followed by a clear end to the event. The people depart, to reenter their daily lives, having been moved and motivated by the proceedings of this time.

When I asked the kids what they thought this story was describing, all of them said it sounded like a pretty typical worship service.  The ushers, bulletins, hymns, and sermon seemed to all be reflected in the piece.   But then, I surprised them with a twist. 

I told them that I didn’t write these words to describe a worship service, but as I was chronicling the events of a baseball game I was watching.  After their jaws hit the floor, I read it again, and asked them to make some different connections:

The service begins with the gathering of the people, who enter the space (baseball stadium) and find a seat, each with an unobstructed view of the action.  There is a mixture of people, ranging from the first-time visitors to those who come so frequently that their seats are designated for them.  (season ticket holders)  Ushers greet people at the door, handing out programs (scorecards) that list the order of the proceeding and the names of the principle players (roster).

The service begins with the procession of important people, (introduction of the players) followed by the singing of an opening song (the national anthem).  Then, following an invocation (“Play ball!”), the people become hushed with anticipation for the service to begin (the first pitch).

Soon, the congregation is swept up in the energy and passion of the unfolding drama, as the leadership draws them into a compelling tale of good vs. evil (home team vs. the visiting team), sacrifice (bunts and sac flies), and finding your way home (scoring a run!).

For a moment, the people are transported from the realities of their every day lives and immersed in a story that causes them to feel part of something bigger than themselves.  Through their own participation, they become part of the narrative.

The congregation speaks spontaneous words of affirmation (cheering).  At times they are prompted to gesture, clap, and recite their allegiance and commitment (the stadium organist playing “Charge!”).  Their standing and sitting becomes part of the ritual, unscripted yet somehow anticipated (the crowd doing the wave). 

The service draws toward its conclusion with a final song ("Take Me Out to the Ballgame"), followed by a clear end to the event (the final out). The people depart, to reenter their daily lives, having been moved and motivated by the proceedings of this time.

While there may be some who would claim that watching a baseball game is a religious experience, the message of this playful exercise is meant to be more surprising, even disorienting.   It is a painfully accurate indictment of how we have distorted the gift of worship into something more self-seeking than God-honoring. 

·      How often do you come to worship to be a spectator?  To listen to good music, hear a good sermon (hopefully), watch the little children in their cute outfits, and catch up on the latest news from around town? 

·      How often do you come to worship to be entertained?  To escape the realities of your life, feel better about your problems, laugh at some of the preacher’s jokes (hopefully), and leave the service with a smile on your face?

·      How often do you come to worship with a consumer mindset?  Hoping that your time in church is worth the effort.  Hoping that you don’t regret a missed chance to golf, boat, or simply sleep in.  Hoping that the service gets out on time to beat the Presbyterians to The Family Table.  

What is so special about worship?  Is it mere public spectacle, or escapist entertainment, or is there something more? 

That something more, of course, is the presence of God, who alone is both the source and the object of worship.  Let’s remember that the word liturgy, from the Latin laos (people) and urge (work) literally means the “work of the people.”  When we come to worship, we go to work.  We get busy.  We assume the greatest responsibility for which we have been created and to which we have been called:  to give God glory and praise. 

Unlike a baseball game, in which we cheer on the players, worship calls us to be the players on the field, active participants in the unfolding drama of God’s love and salvation for the world.  In that classic metaphor of “worship as theater” from Soren Kierkegaard, we attend worship to become the performers, not the audience, knowing that God is the sole spectator of all that we offer. 

Now that we are back in the sanctuary, having returned this fall from our summertime sojourn in the community center, let us also return to the heart of our mission, and the reason we gather every Sunday morning:  to put God’s love into action.  May that renewed emphasis inspire us to worship God with greater enthusiasm, deeper joy, and a fuller commitment to the way and will of God.

So get on the field, St. Paul’s, and let's plaaaay ball!

Magrey  

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA  51012
Ph:  712-225-3955
Email:  mdevega@sp-umc.org

PRAYERS FOR THE WORLD

The website shared during last Sunday’s World Communion service was www.oikoumene.org.  The site is sponsored by the World Council of Churches and offers a guide for specific needs of every country in the world over a 52-week period.

HELPING HANDS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Helping Hands team would like volunteers this Saturday to help with yard work and winterizing the home of Ellen and Don Henderson.   Many of you know that both Ellen and her son have been dealing with severe health issues, and you can really make a difference by pitching in to help them out.  The time is from 10am to 1pm this Saturday, and you can contact Sheree Hausmann to sign up.  

To view past editions of the Mid-Week Message, visit http://mdevega.blogspot.com
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