Participation-- and worship-- in singing

Worship is one of the most important and significant activities of the church!

“Praise the Lord!
Praise God in the sanctuary!”
- Psalm 150:1


Regular worship is one of the most significant experiences we can share…together. During the first portion of the pandemic, when we provided a pre-recorded online worship service (as the best way to continue being church given all the constraints) - without barely realizing it, we played into a notion that the 19 th century Danish theologian Soren Kierkegaard commented on many years ago.

“The trouble with the church is that it is too much
like the theater: the preacher is the actor;
the congregation is the audience; and God
is the prompter. No, the congregation is the actor;
God is the audience; and the preacher is the prompter.”


We have slowly been finding our way back to worship that resembles pre-pandemic forms and traditions. Being together has been wonderful, but as one who loves to sing – not doing so has left a slight void in my spirit. We are exploring ways to reclaim congregational singing in the near future, which will allow us all to be participants (actors) in our worship.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the lord with gladness; come into God’s
presence with singing.”
- Psalm 100:1-2


For those of you who have been worshiping in person, it has been great to see you and even more inspiring to see your participation. And for those who have not come back to in person services, we look forward to seeing you when you feel comfortable doing so. Either way, we can all sing to the Lord – in the shower, on a walk, lying in bed, in the car or wherever. And hopefully, we sing together in the sanctuary in the very near future. This coming Sunday is World Communion Sunday and I hope you will join us either in the sanctuary or Live-stream as we affirm our oneness as a family of faith and as children of God.

Hope to see you in church soon!

And on that “note”, I wish for you many Fall Blessings,

 

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister

NCPVE