Originally published in Hyde Park Life Spring 2008

By Flossie Adams,  Story-Telling Grandma

When my husband, Pat, and I come home after attending a worship service at Hyde Park, we often say, “Wow! That was amazing!” We feel uplifted, inspired, involved, challenged and very thankful to be a part of such a lively church.

We are retired folks who, up until a few years ago, spent our entire lives as very involved members of another denomination. In His goodness, God led us to Hyde Park where we discovered a whole new way for the community to be involved in worship.

We typically attend the 8:30 services. We alternate between the Chapel service and the Sanctuary service. We try to listen attentively, sing all the hymns or songs, participate widely in the greeting, spend quiet time in prayer – particularly following communion or during some music. I find that when I participate as fully as possible, I feel a greater connection to God and to the people who are worshipping with me. The work that is being done becomes my work too. I am more involved instead of passively waiting for the service to do something for me. I especially enjoy services where I have a lot of opportunity to participate besides just sitting and listening to others talk or sing. Prayers that are responsive, litanies, responsive readings (like Psalms), songs that I can sing, communion - even foot washing - are all helpful for me.

After many years in behind-the-scenes church life, I may have a unique perspective as to what goes into creating the worship experience, or liturgy as it is also referred to. Liturgy means the work of the people. The work of the people is to worship God through praying; singing; listening; offering gifts of time, talent, and tithes; and greeting one another in the Peace of Christ. Each of us does this work as we come and participate in the services. Some also offer their service as greeters, ushers, and members of the choirs, the altar guild, and parking lot and tech teams.

At most churches the worship plan comes primarily from the pastor. At Hyde Park, the worship experience begins with pastors, but is readily dispersed through the Holy Spirit and in the spiritual community process of discernment. A variety of people, ordained and lay, staff and non-staff, older and younger, men and women offer the gifts they have been given. First, the pastors study and pray about weekly scriptures sensitive to the needs and interests of the congregation. The Spiritual Direction Team meets to pray, read the scriptures and offer their thoughts and feelings about:

• What does the congregation need to hear from these scriptures?
• What is the desired outcome of the service?
• What should be the mood/vibe of the service?
• How would the theme be described?
• What is the Invitational emphasis?

Spirtiual Direction notes are sent to the Creativity Team: pastors, musicians, youth leaders, Christian educators, media specialists, storytellers, artists, etc. which prays, reads the scriptures, and reviews the notes from the Spiritual Direction Team. They brainstorm ideas for titles; media images; videos; music; drama and storytelling; prayers, litanies, responses; interviews, and special additions to the service.

The pastors use the teams’ input to write their sermons. Musicians use the input to select appropriate music and prepare themselves. The tech team works to produce media images, videos, lights, and sounds to insert them into the service at the appropriate time. The inspiration of God, the loving work of many members of the congregation, and your presence and participation make worship at Hyde Park amazing. Thanks be to God!