| The perennial Christian strategy is gather the folks, tell the stories, and break the bread. — John Shea
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Consider your most recent worship experience....
Gather the Folks
What was the liturgical color for the day (color of the stoles, chasuble, altar frontal)?
What was your attitude as the service began? Did it change as the service progressed? If so, how?
Who was present to celebrate? Did you notice newcomers?
Tell the Stories
What do you remember from the readings? (Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle or Gospel)
In one short sentence, what was the Gospel lesson about?
What was the central message of the sermon?
Break the Bread
What words or gestures did you notice during the Eucharistic prayer?
What were your thoughts and feelings today as you received communion, or what is something you noticed (about communion) as you received?
Go Out into the World
Having been fed in body and soul, did you feel ready to go out into the world to love and serve the Lord?
Will you do anything differently this week because of something you learned or felt in the worship service? If so, what?
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you to post your responses on the "Conversations" page.
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YFYL Chapter 9, Additional questions for reflection or discussion:
1. In Praying Shapes Believing, Lionel L. Mitchell says, “We (Episcopalians) read our theology out of the Book of Common Prayer and the matter in which we celebrate its services” (Harrisburg: Morehouse Publishing, 1985, 2). Select a liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer. What does it reveal about the beliefs of Episcopalians? How has worship shaped your beliefs?
2. How would you describe worship at your church? How does the worship reflect the life of the community?
3. Look at the Sunday liturgy and notice the directions given for gestures. What gestures do you choose during the liturgy? Why have you chosen them? What does it say about what you believe?
4. What architectural features are most prominent in your church? What does it say about God? The relationship of those gathered? The relationship between the laity and the clergy?
5. In what ways does your parish recognize the seasons of the liturgical year? What rhythm of life does it create for you? For the community
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Additional resources online
PrayerBookGuide provides a summary of the coming two weeks' liturgical themes as well as suggested hymns and questions for reflection. For clergy and laity alike. (A companion website to the book, Prayer Book Guide, edited by Sharon Pearson and Robyn Szoke.)
At the Edge of the Enclosure by Suzanne Guthrie offers meditation prompts and reflections for the soul on the way to Sunday. Several projects appear including a Little Office and Book of Hours.
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Additional resources in print
The Prayer Book Guide, edited by Sharon Ely Pearson and Robyn Szoke provides materials for Christian formation for the whole church through the liturgical year. (Church Publishing, 2009).
Celebrating the Eucharist by Patrick Malloy. by Patrick Malloy. Presents the building blocks of the eucharistic rite
from theological, historical and social-scientific perspectives as well
as a how-to guide to presiding at the Eucharist. Firmly rooted in the
perspective that baptism is the threshold into full membership in the
church. (Church Publishing, 2008)
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