A new, diversely contemporary-ish worship service with some liturgical structure and traditions at its foundation, but stripped of man-made exclusivity and intersecting oppressive influences (kyriarchy) as much as possible, leaving God-given grace and mercy given for all souls.
A space and time for progressive Christian worship where every individual is affirmed as inherently valuable to God, and our call to love God and love one another is kept a focal point.
A worship service for deprogramming; for unfundamentalists; for those pushed aside by historical man-made structures; for women; for people of color; for the LGBTQIA community; for people with disabilities; for immigrants; for indigenous peoples / first Americans; for families of one and families of many; for children and youth, the elderly, the young-ish, and the middle-aged; for people who society puts last; for the unchurched, the dechurched, the lifelong Christians, the spiritual; for people with questions; for the oppressed, the recovering oppressor, and those who are both; for the love of all humankind.
A space and time for progressive Christian worship where every individual is affirmed as inherently valuable to God, and our call to love God and love one another is kept a focal point.
A worship service for deprogramming; for unfundamentalists; for those pushed aside by historical man-made structures; for women; for people of color; for the LGBTQIA community; for people with disabilities; for immigrants; for indigenous peoples / first Americans; for families of one and families of many; for children and youth, the elderly, the young-ish, and the middle-aged; for people who society puts last; for the unchurched, the dechurched, the lifelong Christians, the spiritual; for people with questions; for the oppressed, the recovering oppressor, and those who are both; for the love of all humankind.
Our recovery.
BELIEFS / PRINCIPLES / VALUES
General guiding beliefs/principles/values will be worked out throughout the pre-launch planning process. Generally speaking, we are Christians who believe in following Jesus's teachings of giving love and inclusivity to all people. We may have slightly (or greatly) differing beliefs on specific details, traditions, or rituals, and that's okay. We tolerate and even celebrate our differences.
We follow Jesus, the Word made flesh, who helped us understand the immeasurable depths of God's love. We keep Matthew 22:36-40 in the forefront of our minds as a guide for living our lives and coexisting with other people, which says that the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind; and to love your neighbor as yourself.
We refer to the Trinity as a framework for understanding God and how God has presented to people throughout time -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- though we do not think that "Father" necessarily encompasses all that God is, nor can we say the exact nature of the Holy Spirit with certainty, etc. We believe that the Bible is the foundation of our beliefs, but do not take everything in a literal manner, believing that God probably uses allegory and appears to people differently depending on their current situation (e.g., "The Lord is my Shepherd" does not mean that we are literally sheep").
We also believe that all people are inherently valuable and loved by God, and that we are called to love all people as well.
We follow Jesus, the Word made flesh, who helped us understand the immeasurable depths of God's love. We keep Matthew 22:36-40 in the forefront of our minds as a guide for living our lives and coexisting with other people, which says that the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind; and to love your neighbor as yourself.
We refer to the Trinity as a framework for understanding God and how God has presented to people throughout time -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- though we do not think that "Father" necessarily encompasses all that God is, nor can we say the exact nature of the Holy Spirit with certainty, etc. We believe that the Bible is the foundation of our beliefs, but do not take everything in a literal manner, believing that God probably uses allegory and appears to people differently depending on their current situation (e.g., "The Lord is my Shepherd" does not mean that we are literally sheep").
We also believe that all people are inherently valuable and loved by God, and that we are called to love all people as well.
THE "RECOVERY" WORSHIP SERVICE
The Recovery service is envisioned as a Sunday evening meal-and-worship format.
The team leading worship:
Worship Director / Minister / Pastor [WP]:
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The primary worship planner / director / leader / guide who coordinates with other people/teams. Pretty constant in the worship service, present almost every week, but always coaching/mentoring others to allow for some flexibility in scheduling as well as future growth. Works with other planning team partners, the presiding minister / teaching/praying pastor for each week (or series), and musicians/artists. Coordinates other assistants (or, ideally, has someone to help with these coordination tasks). In the service, there may actually be 1-3 regular rotating faces that lead worship.
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Presiding Minister / Teaching Pastor / People Who Preach [PP]:
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Generally, a pastor from one of the participating churches or from a pool of participating pastors. Will vary from week to week. Sometimes a non-clergy may lead, with pre-blessed communion as necessary. |
Musicians / Artists:
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May vary week to week. Preferably a wide diversity in styles, traditions. Inclusive of non-English languages. To also include artistic expression such as dance, skits, etc., when appropriate.
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Assistants:
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Vary week to week, help make the service actually happen. Food/kitchen assistants, communications, tech team, greeters, ushers, communion assistants, ASL interpreters, etc.
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The pre-service meal begins in the dining space
Pre-recorded gathering music
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Piped in, fitting the theme of the day and/or including newer songs that were recently introduced or will be introduced in the coming weeks.
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WP: Casual greeting
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Just a casual greeting, because you should always say hello and make everyone feel welcome.
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WP: Short teaching moment
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Varies week-to-week. It may give context or deeper explanation of a song for that day, may explain a traditional worship/liturgical practice, may provide a more inclusive way of performing a tradition, may explain the formation of one of our traditions, etc.
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PP: Brief pre-meal dinner prayer
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PP gives thanks for our meal and time together. This also ‘introduces’ the PP to those gathered, so the PP is more familiar later during the service.
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Dinner & casual conversation (Communion)
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Meal and fellowship, just as it sounds. Note: The teaching moment before the meal may provide a conversation topic / icebreaker for some.
*The act of gathering around the table and sharing a meal in fellowship well represents Communion for many. We may decide to simply share a meal, to offer formal Eucharist/Communion during the meal, or to include Communion during the service. This is a currently TBD. |
After the meal, everyone moves into the worship space
- GATHERING -
WP: Welcome / greeting
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“Welcome, everyone; we’re so glad you’re here to worship together with us..."
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WP: Announcements
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“Just a few brief announcements before we begin worship…"
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WP: Opening prayer
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Begin with a short on-theme prayer. May be adapted from the prayer of the day, may be different. All respond with “Amen."
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WP: Short responsive call to worship
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A very short call-to-worship – a line from the Gospel, opening songs, or related short phrase – with a short response (typically “Alleluia!”, or a seasonal response).
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Song: Opening songs (congregational singing)
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1-3 songs to fit the theme. Usually band-led contemporary songs or updated hymns. Sometimes with something extra – a children’s processional, liturgical dance, etc.
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WP/PP: Sharing God’s peace
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Sharing the peace towards the beginning of the service helps break down invisible walls between us so that we more fully feel in communion with each other, even with people we don’t know.
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WP/PP: Liturgical greeting
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Transition from the sharing of God’s peace, to sharing grace, love, and communion with everyone. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and our relationship with and through the Holy Spirit be with you all.” / “And also with you.” [or: Amen! or: Alleluia!]
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- WORD -
PP: Children’s sermon
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PP-led, preferably; alternatively led by a children's leader. For the children, but also gives adults a ‘preview’ of the Gospel/message, with which to frame any other readings.
After the children’s sermon, children may follow a children’s leader [similar to Sunday School teacher] into another space for a children’s lesson/activity, to return during offering, and help bring the offering to the altar. |
Readings and possible special music
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Readings may be read by volunteers gifted and trained for this sort of role. Readings may be in NRSV or another translation, according to the reading. Guided by the lectionary, but with flexibility to vary, and shortened as appropriate. Sometimes the standard two readings and a psalm, sometimes something different. May also include a related selection from Proverbs, etc. to go with the week’s overall theme. Include call/response when practical. Psalms may include call/response, may be a sung version by a soloist, may be spoken, etc. When there is a striking song to go with a reading, it may be interspersed as special music.
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PP: Gospel reading & sermon
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The Gospel may be read first or incorporated into the sermon (i.e., introduction, then Gospel reading, then rest of sermon). If the PP is focusing on a different reading for their sermon, the PP will read the topical reading before their sermon.
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Song (congregational singing or special music / reflection)
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Varies weekly: it may be special music to allow for congregational reflection, or may be a congregational song. It may also be a special music song followed by a congregational song.
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- TABLE -
WP/PP: Confession & Forgiveness & Our Prayers
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Confession and forgiveness, combined with prayers of the people. Not too lengthy, but still deep in content. Can be specific in terms of social issues, general prayers, etc. Person-specific prayer requests will include the name and perhaps a general category (for healing, during times of transition, etc.). Consider (especially during certain seasons of the church year) having multiple intercessors lead each prayer petition.
If Communion is not included during the service [see notes below], consider ending Our Prayers with an updated/revised version of The Lord's Prayer, such as this new daily prayer translated/written by Jen Jesse: <Heavenly Creator, Holy is Your name! Use us as Your hands to do Your will, on earth here and now. Give to us according to our need, and grant us mercy and forgiveness. Help us repay wrongdoings with love, compassion, and forgiveness. Guide us through troubled times. Show us how to turn from evil. May You be glorified, and may Your love reign supreme forever and always. Amen.> |
WP/PP: Cleansing ritual & offering, with song (special music)
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May vary a bit weekly depending on the theme/season, but will have some consistency; may be dissolvable paper, stones, etc. Logistically, these items will probably be made available near the sanctuary entrance and passed out at this part of the service [prior to / during offering]. During this part of the service, we would explain the process/meaning. Congregations can participate as they desire at the beginning of the service, during this time, or as they leave the sanctuary.
Offering will also be collected during this time (perhaps before distribution of the cleansing items, for logistical reasons / to prevent confusion). Children will return to the sanctuary at this time, gather in the back, and help bring the offering up to the altar to be received. Music during this time will be softer special music. As appropriate, the music may include a congregational ending, or one special music song may be followed by one congregational song. |
PP: Communion**
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**Communion is one of the larger areas of question, to be worked out with a larger group of our participating churches and church leaders. If Eucharist/Communion is included in the service, this is where it will appear. Alternatively, and perhaps preferably, Communion may be included as a part of the pre-service meal. Right now, this is TBD.
May include the beginning of the Great Thanksgiving, leading into a version of the Doxology, updated seasonally. (“The Lord be with you. / And also with you. / Lift up your hearts. / We lift them to the Lord. / Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. / It is right and our honor to give our thanks and praise.”) To include the words of institution, updated with modern language. To the Lord’s prayer - but strongly consider using a revised version, such as this new daily prayer translated/written by Jen Jesse: <Heavenly Creator, Holy is Your name! Use us as Your hands to do Your will, on earth here and now. Give to us according to our need, and grant us mercy and forgiveness. Help us repay wrongdoings with forgiveness, love, and compassion. Guide us through troubled times. Show us how to turn from evil. May You be glorified, and may Your love reign supreme forever and always. Amen.> Communion distribution is accompanied with songs – the first song may be piped in music or special music while musicians and assistants commune, then a congregational song. A contemporary version of Lamb of God, Let Us Break Bread Together, etc., can be kept ‘in the back pocket’ for times when additional songs are needed. |
- SENDING -
WP/PP: Blessing / Benediction
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A short blessing, to match the readings / theme of the day and the sending song, as possible.
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Sending song (congregational singing)
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A congregational song that fits the theme and/or a commission-type song.
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Commission / sending us out into the world
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To match the readings / theme of the day and the sending song, as possible.
Potentially led (or co-led, with assistance from the children's leader) by the children/youth. |
Sending song tag or piped in music as congregation leaves
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To be determined. A tag is engaging, but piped in music would allow the musicians more time for fellowship after the service.
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