In my previous post I did a brief overview of the flow of worship in Community of Christ. I stated also that I would return in the near future to look at the four elements of that flow. This post reflects on the first element which Hymns of the Saints identifies as Praise and Thanksgiving and The Priesthood Manual (2004 edition) calls Adoration and Praise. In the early process of preparing for the 21 May worship service at Tuality Community of Christ I have created working names and brief descriptions for the four sections. These names are based in part on the theme for that day “Create a Better World” and in part on the function of that element. Thus the title of this post “We Rejoice and Give Thanks for this World.” Between now and 21 May I may change these titles, but they are a place to start from for both preparing the service and also for the discussion I would like to have here on the four flow elements of worship.
The Priesthood Manual presents this element of worship with the following:
Worship Begins when we acknowledge that we are in the presence of God. When we experience God, it is natural to express our thanks and adoration. When we sense the activity of God throughout the earth in providing to human beings an amazing range of divine gifts, we can do no less than express our profound gratitude and praise. Isaiah expressed it this way, “Holy, holy holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Worship in the Life of the Church: The Elements of Worship,” The Priesthood Manual 2004 Edition, (Herald Publishing House — Independence, MO)2004; 151.
For 21 May worship service this element has a working description of:
We welcome one another this day as we celebrate in community. We celebrate the wonders of God’s Creation.
L. Anderson II, “21 May TCC Worship Service: Working Draft.” 13 Mar 2006; 1.
The Priesthood Manual expresses the four elements of worship in how they reflect our basic and natural responses. As I have stated this model of worship both reflects the cycle of life, and also arises from Isaiah 6:1-8, as such the description found here reflects back on what is natural for us to do. In my expression of this element the entirety of the element is not fully expressed, but some of the basic actions of the gathered community are expressed.
During this first element of worship a community gathers together. As they gather they welcome each other as sisters and brothers. They open up their hearts, minds, and souls to the presence of the One who is always present. As they do the recognize the wonders of the Creating One. They respond to their acknowledgment of the presence of the Crating One by uplifting praise and thanksgiving. It is a simple movement, and yet a powerful one. It prepares us for and naturally flows us into the next element of worship.
Typically this element of worship includes a welcome to the people and a call to worship. It also includes the “invocation” which truly is a prayer of opening of ourselves to the moving of the Spirit and a prayer of recognizing the Ever-present One. Songs of praise and thanksgiving are sung. A psalm of praise and thanksgiving might be read. These are only a few of the things that may take place during this time. Each service is different, each congregation different, and thus it is impossible to say what all will fall in this first element where we gather together in community, recognize and give thanks to the Almighty One. In most services the welcome and opening prayer will be found here. This time of praise and thanksgiving naturally flows into the second element, but that is for the next post…
Peace,
— Lyle II