Worshiping as a Community

            When people come to worship on Sunday mornings, there are a number of different things that they are looking for.  Some are looking for a quiet space where they can hear God speak through Scripture and music and Word and Sacrament.  Some are looking for somebody to talk to after spending most of the week alone.  Some are looking to learn more about their faith and to introduce their children to Jesus.  And some are looking for a place where they belong, and where they can find community with God and others.

            It is a wonderful thing to have people of all ages and backgrounds and circumstances gathered together in the presence of God.  At the same time, it can also pose challenges.  For example, what happens when you have some people who want to be quiet, and listen to the music, and pray before worship begins, and then you have others right beside them who are just dying to talk to somebody?  Might it be possible to take conversations out into the narthex so that others can prepare themselves for worship?

            Another question to consider is when conversations before and during the service are necessary and when they are just plain rude.  For example, are loud conversations during the choir anthem or during communion or during the prelude music really necessary?  Is there a way to have quiet time available and still be friendly and welcoming?

            Ultimately, when Jesus talks about true worship in the gospel of John, he says to “worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:24).  To me, this is worship that comes from within us – from the heart.  It is also worship that involves silence, and singing, and speaking, and listening, and praying.  It is also important to note that babies enter into worship in their own way.  In fact, some join in the singing and just keep right on singing after it stops! J  However, that is all part of learning how to worship (and, some would argue, the purest form of worship).

             In the end, perhaps what we need as a worshiping community is respect and awareness of one another. And so, if you see somebody quietly praying, that is not an invitation to walk up and talk to them.  If a musician or musicians have prepared some music to help us to worship, that is not an invitation to talk louder.  If a baby or a young child is making some noise, that is not an invitation to shoot dirty looks in their direction.  They are young, and they are learning, and it is wonderful that they are participating in worship. And, if you need some conversation, perhaps take a seat in the narthex where you can talk to people as they are coming in – or come downstairs for coffee afterwards.

            Truthfully, God has created an incredible variety of people.  Some are introverts and some are extraverts.  Some spend all week surrounded by people, and others are often alone.  Each one has their own musical taste, and the kind of music that speaks to one person might not speak to somebody else.  And so, in our worship, we try to have as much variety as possible – sometimes quiet and reflective; sometimes loud and praising; sometimes repentant and somber; sometimes full of thanks and praise.

            May all of us be aware of the privilege of being able to worship God in Christ, while at the same time being aware of the needs of others in our community. For our purpose is still to share God’s love with all people!             

In Christ,

Pastor Lynne Hutchiso