Many Christian traditions hold various worship services throughout the week. Traditionally many of the Christian traditions have a “main” service on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) and some on the Sabbath (Saturday). Community of Christ is one of the many and has traditionally had a “main” worship service on the Lord’s Day, though this service has taken different forms over the years.
In the 1830s in Kirtland Ohio the service would start in the House of the Lord by about 10am. Prior to this some might gather at the river near by for baptisms, or they might do this during the lunch break or both if their were those wishing to celebrate this sacrament. During the service their might be one or two sermons before lunch and another one or two after lunch ranging in length from an hour to three hours each. The Choir would sing, the sacrament of the Lord’s supper would be partaken, sometimes a person would speak as they partook, sometimes they squeezed it in. At the end of the service the congregation might be divided up as curtains were lowered. In the quadrants of the lower court other sacraments might be participated in such as the blessing of children, confirmation, and administration for the sick. After the service the choir would stay to practice and in the evening their might be additional services held through out the region in homes, bars and elsewhere. During that main, long Sunday service in the lower court of the House of the Lord, a room designed to hold around 500 at that time, today limited to 300, there could often be found 600, 700, 800 or more. One account of a service even tells of 1500 people in attendance. On Thursdays they would often gather once more into the lower court for a prayer service. This service at times starting at 10 in the morning and going on into the evening and other times starting in the evening.
Since that time as a tradition in an ever changing world things have changed. In part things have changed as we have received new guidance, in part to respond to the ever changing world. At times due to the various cultures, and at times as we make careful reflection on worship. Though my experiences are limited to the North American culture and my experiences at several World Conferences, I have a feeling that the following flow, or order, or movement or… of worship is expressed in most Community of Christ services around the globe, though surly expressed in very different ways depending on the people and culture in which the worship service is experienced in and by.
This basic four part flow, has been referred to in at least three different ways, and where one movement ends and the next starts sometime varies slightly from one to the other as do the words used to describe it, but the basic flow is still preserved. I have two references of this flow at hand as I write this. The first is from Hymns of the Saints and the Second from the Priesthood Manual (2004 Edition). The third version I know I have read is from a book by Peter A. Judd, written when he was head of the World Church Worship Commission. (This book is the earliest expression of the flow in relation to Community of Christ corporate worship from the three source I have seen, but unfortunatel.y I remember not the name nor do I currently have access to it).
Hymns of the Saints:
- Praise and Thanksgiving
- Contemplation and Renewal
- God’s Word for Us
- Commission and Commitment
Priesthood Manual 2004 Edition:
- Adoration and Praise
- Confession and Repentance
- Proclamation and Affirmation
- Commitment and Dedication
In that book by Peter Judd he describes the flow as reflecting the cycle of life. Thus I would say it is not truly a linier motion but rather it is circular in form, with one rotation of that circle being typically expressed during a worship service. Along with reflecting the cycle of life this model arises in part from Isaiah 6:1-8.
Most of the liturgical elements of a service are not specifically tied to any of the four parts. Even so I can’t see many (or any) sermons falling outside of 3, and the welcome and invocation might fall in 1 or 2, benediction and or sending forth is going to fall in 4. When one of the eight sacraments of the church are celebrated in a service I think most often they will fall in 3 or 4, though sometimes 2. A Disciples Generous Response may fall in 2 or 4 and sometimes 3. Yet no matter how these pieces of a service (and all the others) this order can be used. I think many within Community of Christ do not consciously think of the service in these four movements, but they do notice that something is off when a service does not embrace this flow.
In the near future I plan on writing either a single post or a four part series dealing with these four basic elements of Community of Christ corporate worship, until that time though I do pause briefly in that discussion.
I ponder and reflect on this flow at this time as I have recently been asked to preside over a service at Tuality. Like many, but not all, congregations of Community of Christ, the presider at Tuality is the primary person involved in planning the Sunday corporate worship service. This service is still a ways off, and it is always possible that the assignment may change as the 2nd quarter schedule is still being worked on, but in all likely hood I will be presiding at Tuality on Sunday 21 May.
There are many things I need to reflect on regarding this service. and the elements that surround the main worship experience at TCC.
I look forward to this opportunity to serve in this way at this congregation. While it is not a unique role for me, it will be the first time that I have served this way with this particular congregation. In the weeks to come do not be surprise if I reflect more on this topic in regards to that service. Also I plan to reflect a bit on the Daily Prayer for Peace held at the Independence portion of the Temple each day at 12:30 central time, as part of those reflections will be looking at the pattern of the Daily Prayer for Peace.
Peace,
— Lyle II