12. Reflections on Worship

Hal, Greg and Amy process their worship reflections together
9/01
Luther Seminary Cafeteria
Amy took notes

Unremarkable - no bells and whistles. Simple liturgy done well.

Very respectful - processing with the scriptures, gospel procession, the ways the readings were done - going to the altar then to the pulpit, holding up the scriptures during the alleluia. Pretty typically catholic (to us) but also done with sincerity, like those participating understood what they were doing was important.

Remarkably Roman Catholic in its tradition, didn't try to be something it wasn't. Like a lot of Lutheran services try to be something they're not. They stayed very true to their surrounding.

No music before the service, they let the building do its work. People can talk to each other and it's not disturbing - it doesn't take over the space. The building encourages silence. 10-15 minutes before the services there were people praying and it was silent.

G - Entering the building you have to go through two sets of imposing doors to even get to the ushers - I wasn't overwhelmed by hospitality.
H- that's a different understanding of hospitality between traditions. It's worship preparation time - not first contact time. Human interaction is out of place here. After the service there's more levity, but not before.

No rush. Everything about the service seemed to have plenty of time, there was room for space. The reader took her time going up to do what she needed to do. Very reverent. No feeling of rush.

Culturally and age mixed, a few families with young children. Ritual expressions of piety from all ages - older people, teens, young adults (i.e. genuflecting before getting in the pew).

Diversity of people Father Michael characterized as not fitting into other parishes. Anonymity - these are people you aren't going to run into on your neighborhood street. You can hide there - disappear into the space. But at the same time as a single person attending by yourself you don't feel out of place - around you, you can see other people who came by themselves. Similar to block party - big group feeling, without connection.

How is what they are doing now as worship different from 10 years ago? There's appreciation of the contribution of the cantor at the service Greg attended (the people applauded him at the end of the service).

Preaching not that great, but the priests are emotionally invested in their context, in their people, in the gospel. Interesting contrast to what we usually expect from Lutheran preachers. Very deep emotional connection to their subject matter.

Father Joseph in his sermon referring to Kelci Stringer "Their faith tradition - although different from ours, they believe just as much as we do." An intentional embrace of other faith traditions.

Passion
Seeking to live the gospel authentically
Needs responsive
What needs are there in our community and surroundings, seeking to meet them
Quality
What they do as church they seek to do well
Savvy, adventuresome context reading (God and culture)
What is God up to? Let's follow that.
What's our context, what does that mean?
we have all these young adults, and all these single mothers
Risk taking
It's amazing that they have a block party. It's amazing they haven't been sued.
It would have been easy to say, "We're not going to do that again"