Re-Drafting My Spiritual Formation – Log #6: Anticipating Worship

I must admit, regrettably, that heading for church on Sunday mornings has not always been the wonderful experience I would have hoped for. For a long time this has been a source of frustration and disappointment for me.

Lately, however, I find myself looking forward to each Sunday’s worship. I’ve spent a good deal of recent reflection trying to discover why this is taking place. And the truth is, I’ve had a difficult time putting into words the sort of metamorphosis that is occurring.

In discussing the quandary with my wife at brunch after Church last Sunday, I think we might have had an epiphany. We had just experienced a wonderful Palm Sunday worship service at Poulsbo First Lutheran Church, where we have attended, as possible, for more than six months.

As we entered the narthex, we were handed palm branches and told that we would “process” into the sanctuary momentarily. The opening liturgy – Scriptures, recitations and hymns compiled to allow God “to gather us for worship” – took place right there in preparation for our entry into worship.

Then, accompanied by a processional hymn, we proceeded into the Sanctuary to our seats to listen to God speak to us. He did so in diverse ways. We sang hymns. We read Scripture from the Old Testament, from the New Testament and from the Gospels. We prayed together and recited the ancient creeds of the faith.

One of our Pastors, the Rev. Alison Shane, delivered an insightful sermon about the meaning and implications of Palm Sunday, particularly contrasting Christ’s ministry up to that point with that in the (Holy) week just ahead, the last days before his crucifixion and resurrection.

The light went on, I think, sometime between the worship service and our brunch. The key to our newfound delight in worship may hinge on one primary factor: participation.

We suddenly realized that in the “evangelical milieu”, where we had been for the past several decades, Sunday church is a spectator event for the most part. We were entertained by musicians, music groups, drama troupes and media-driven sermons. We were even made to feel good – for the moment, at least. And all we had to do was arrive and get comfortable in a pew.

Sometimes the sermon was even strong enough to impact our lives. And we would try like mad for a few days to effect it. The entertainment factor usually wore off by Sunday night, however, when the boob tube took over with superior amusement. For me, the staying effects of that kind of worship often resulted in what felt like spiritual "let down" much too soon.

In contrast, we realize, in our present worship experience, we participate at almost every level. We process into the sanctuary (at least on last Sunday). We sing the hymns together. We recite the scriptures. We rehearse the ancient creeds. We partake in the Sacraments. We respond to the sermon. Week after week this has had a very positive cumulative impact on our spirituality.

This fresh (for us), seemingly more authentic mainline worship experience has resulted in a discernable change taking place in our lives. It’s hard to quantify, but we know it’s there. For one thing, we are spiritually sustained throughout the week. In fact, we’re already anticipating worship in God’s presence next Sunday.

Thanks be to God.