Leading with Light: Worship 101

"Come in!"
"It's good to see you!"

"I'm glad you're here with me"
"I'm sorry we've been gone. It's been hard."
"It’s OK. I know it hurts, but I can make it better."
"Thanks for caring so much!"

"I've got some things to tell you."

"Thanks for helping us understand! It will make a difference for us"

"May I offer you a bite to eat?"
"Thanks! You have given us so much. What can I do in return?"

"Use my gifts. Go with my blessing!"
"Thanks again! You're awesome!"

This little 'poem' hopes to capture the essence of worship in the simplest of words.

First, it is a dialogue, initiated by the Host (God), eliciting responses from the guests (God's People). The dialogue continues throughout, with the host always leading.

Second, it has a dramatic structure in five parts. It has a beginning, middle, and closing in which the participants move through a conversation.

First is the Welcome, wherein the guests are Gathered in to the Host's presence.
Second is the Renewal, in which the Host invites the guests to reflect on the difficulties of their journey. The guests acknowledge their struggles with a confession and a lament. The Host offers assurance, and the guest responds in gratitude.
Third is the Word and the Meal, wherein the host nourishes His guests, helping them to understand their journey and reaffirm their relationship.
Fourth is Response, wherein guests thank their host and contemplate how they shall continue their journey as they prepare to go out.
Fifth is the Dismissal, in which the guests are sent out with a blessing and benediction, and the guests respond in praise and doxology.

Overall, the conversation sounds like old friends meeting. It is a renewal of a relationship, though the Host does the leading. It is a visit between parent and child in which the child is received, nourished, and sent out refreshed. In short, it is covenant renewal.

And while this is just one conversation, there are many more like it with varying degrees of excitement. Some are more excited, others more sad. Like a married couple, some conversations are simple, mundane, everyday discussions about the day's events. Others are deeper, maybe more painful or more joyful. Some are pasta and pot-roast weeknights, others are steak and lobster anniversaries. Some are loud, some quiet, but always they renew the relationship.

And while the Diaglogue and Dramatic structure might sound rigid, there is rich variety within. To leave out a piece just once might call attention or make a statement. But to leave out a piece regularly is to tell only part of the story, or to maintain a certain sullen silence in the relationship. Ultimately, it's not healthy. It''s like refusing to do the dishes, or to say "I'm sorry," or being impatient with your wife's stories about her day, or to kiss your kids good night.

Well-formed worship is like Haiku poem. It has a simple but consistent structure, revealing a wide variation of meaning and powerful emotional impact.

But always, always, worship revisits the relationship between God and His People.

Stance

The “Stance” sequence shows how a single visual element changes as the worship service unfolds. The mannequin, representing our posture before God, changes positions as the congregation’s liturgical task changes. This sequence also intentionally leaves space for text, but can also serve as a plain banner. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Kids' Mosaics

The “Kids’ Mosaics” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. This sequence of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Globe & Cross

The “Globe and Cross” Liturgical Sequence is good example of a composite image that builds as the service progresses. Beginning with a nearly blank screen, elements are added to the image at each stage until reaching a final, full image. The images are either darkened or lightened when used as a background, allowing the overlay of white or black text.

Renewed on the Journey

This Liturgical Sequence was developed for the opening worship of a regional worship conference. The theme was "As people of faith on a journey, we come to be renewed in God's strength." The first four images were the basic backgrounds used. They were designed to follow the major movements of the service. The rest of the images show how the backgrounds were used with text overlaid. Note that the text varies in position and color, depending on whether the words were God's words to the congregation, or the congregation's words in response to God.

Kids' Paintings

The “Kids’ Paintings” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. These sequences of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.