Contemplative Worship service which was one of the 5 Big Moves. As lovers of liturgy, we were delighted at the invitation to help craft this service, all the while participating in the 9:00 service. After a few fits and starts due to COVID, we’ve now been able to keep the fledgling Contemplative service available going on six months. You can even find us on the church website! We are heartened to see folks from many walks of life and different ages begin to visit and participate in the service. One beautiful outcome of having two services with a common foundation expressed in creatively different ways is that we are seeing our own church members enjoy worship in both services. Dan, Evan and I relish the energy of the first service followed by the quiet of the second service, and the chance to digest Pastor Neal’s sermon again as he presents the same ideas in two very different ways. We love being able to take communion every Sunday. Because both services stem from the same essential ideas, there is a synergy between them. For instance, during the season of Lent, our responsive prayer in Contemplative Service is based on the idea that Pastor Neal suggested in his sermon of 2/27, wherein Gratitude produces Repentance (turning away from and turning toward, rather than Penance), and blossoms into Hope. As an example, here is a snippet of the call-and-response during Lent:
If you’ve never experienced Contemplative worship, the service contains elements of quiet music, Lectio Divina reading of scripture, Pastor Neal’s sermon, responsive prayer, and communion every week. Incorporating liturgical elements, minutes of silence, and an intimate atmosphere, the Contemplative Service is especially suited to the inward-looking exercises we are encouraged to practice leading up to Easter.
If these thoughts intrigue you and inspire you on your Lenten journey, we would love to have you join in to both services during Lent or all year long! Attending first service with a break in the middle for donuts, coffee, and fellowship, followed by the quiet covering of the second service makes for the perfect Sunday for our family. Perhaps it will for you as well! In His Name, Susan
4 Comments
Katherine Wallenhaupt
3/15/2022 10:59:43 am
Thank you for such a rich and meaningful explanation on contemplative worship. The service always quiets my heart and allows me to draw closer to our Savior.
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Cheryl Broadway
3/15/2022 05:32:07 pm
What a beautiful way to share and explain the Contemplative service. It has become my favorite service, as a time to quiet my mind and find rest for my soul. Thank you for showing some of the service elements. We are lucky to have the Lauer family as part of our church family.
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Carolyn Keefer
3/16/2022 02:27:16 pm
Thank you for not only sharing about the Contemplative service but also what brought your family to becoming a part of our church family. Thank you to all of your family for your involvement as leaders by sharing music and leading in so many ways.
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Charles Branch
3/16/2022 08:36:38 pm
Thank you, Susan. That was well put, and we also enjoy both services from the region upstairs. (And the quiet slower pace of the contemplative, reflective service.
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