WORSHIP
AT CITY CHURCH
The 10.30 a.m.
Sunday worship at City United Reformed Church has a three-fold shape.
Simply put, we gather for worship, we hear God's Word, and we respond
in faith and action. While the style of worship is a rich blend
of traditional and contemporary elements to fit the diversity of
an intentionally inclusive community--we have jazz services and
enjoy Taizé and Iona music and folk material from many cultures
in addition to more traditional hymnody-- this basic ecumenically-rooted
shape of the service remains fairly consistent. Rather than upload
the Sunday service every week here, we give a fuller description
of the shape of worship at City United Reformed Church:
We gather for
worship
Worship often
opens with a "gathering song"--a short, simple meditative
song led by the music group to focus our attention on the act of
worship to come. An elder of the church then welcomes the congregation,
highlights a few of the notices and leads us in prayer before announcing
the first hymn. The liturgy of reconciliation follows--a prayer
of confession followed by an assurance of God's reconciling love.
This section ends as we stand to sing a response of praise and adoration.
We hear God's
Word
The lesson from
scripture that will be the focus of our morning worship is read,
then the children are invited forward for a brief chat about this
lesson. Then after the music group sings and/or leads us in song,
the children leave for a Junior Church programme suitable to their
ages. (There is also a supervised crèche facility for the
youngest ones.) Other lessons may then be read, and there is usually
singing before the sermon, which is followed either by more singing
or a time to be silent.
We respond in
faith and action
While the heart
of every service is the Word of God with its relevance to our lives
and the life of our world unpacked in the sermon, the third movement
is a response to what we have heard, in acts of thanksgiving, dedication
and commitment. The fundamental act of thanksgiving of them all,
the Lord's Supper, comes here--celebrated the first Sunday in the
month, but informing the basic shape of worship on all Sundays.
It is here in the third part of the service that acts like baptism
and ordination and commissioning take place. We have even done a
wedding in this slot! The offering of the community's prayers comes
here, usually led by a church member, and the offering of our financial
support to the work of the church comes here as well. After a final
hymn, we are sent out with a blessing to put what has happened here
into action. We don't call what happens here a worship "service"
for nothing. If what we do here does not propel us into the world
to serve, it's missed its mark.
The
shape of worship at
City United Reformed Church comes from the simple concept of a community
that has been gathered to be scattered. It is certainly not a "preacher-centred"
worship, but the worship of the whole people of God, building up
community and making a difference in the world.
When
we celebrate communion--"the joyful feast of the people
of God"--we invite everyone of whatever age to share in the
celebration--you don't have to be a member, you don't have to be
an adult or theologically sophisticated. Bread and cup are served
to us in the pews as if we were gathered family-style around the
supper table. The Lord's Supper is the feast of the whole people
of God. All are welcome.
Tuesday
lunchtime service
Every
Tuesday at 1.10 p.m. we gather in the Upper Room for a twenty minute service that includes a short meditation usually on the theme for the coming Sunday's lessons.
Coffee follows. The congregation consists of shoppers and office workers on lunch break as well as church members---come join us!
|
