10/23/22 - Exploring Our Christian DNA: What History Can Tell Us about the Way We Worship (and Why)

Time: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Location: Spellman Jr & Zoom

A five-week hybrid series (Zoom & Spellman Jr.) 10:45 am October 23, 30, November 6, 13 & 20  with Rev. Dr. Sally A. Brown Facilitator/Teacher

In this five-session course, Rev. Dr. Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita of Worship and Preaching at Princeton Seminary (recently retired) will lead us in exploring what lies behind the main practices that make up our worship services, and why we do things the way we do—sometimes differently from other Christian congregations. One reason to explore this history of worship is that, to be honest, it’s fun!—kind of like exploring our “liturgical DNA.” But second, this exploration can make us more mindful as worshipers. Third, it can deepen our appreciation of the deep and rich history of churches that worship differently than we do. Click to attend via Zoom. 

We’ll take a walk through history and across different Christian traditions, both past and present, to discover the deep roots of a typical worship service at WPC. Scripture, ancient texts, art works and music will aid our exploring. This journey will reveal not only what makes our ways of worshiping distinctive, but will shed light, as well, on much we have in common with Christians across traditions and around the world.

October 23                   The Ancient Four-Fold Journey of Worship: Why Do We Do This and Where Did It Come From? 
Session 1 will provide an overview of our journey into the Christian past, and across Christian contexts in the present. We will also get introduce to weekly worship as a four-fold spiritual “journey.”

 

October 30                   Marking Time: The Journey of Christian Worship through the Year
In Session 2, we’ll discover how the annual Christian calendar of seasons and feasts came into being. How was it observed in the past? Why do some Christian churches celebrate “saint’s” days, while others don’t?

 

November 6                 Worship as Dialogue: Proclamation, Prayer, Song and Creed
Session 3 focuses on the dialogical nature of Christian worship. How does the Service of the Word (scripture reading and preaching) figure into this dialogue? What about prayer, singing, and reciting Creeds? What does this dialogue sound like in other Christian communities beyond US Protestantism?

 

November 13               The Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist)
History reveals that the sacraments of baptism and the Lord Supper form a deep, common ground for Christians across centuries and across differing communions today. But sacraments have also been a major battleground among Christians! How do these sacraments form our Christian lives? What are key differences in how these are understood and practiced today?

 

November 20               Worship as Formation: from Sanctuary to Street
Worship is so much more than a once-and-done, weekly Christian social occasion or spiritual obligation; worship is meant to lend coherence and momentum to our daily lives. We will explore this connection. Those who wish will be invited to share how this dynamic connection works in your own life, or has seen you through tough times.