[Don Ward]: Elder Jimmy Wood writes for us this week. He has led the development of the session’s vision for the method and content of our new service. I am personally excited for this vision and looking forward to it.
A few months ago I read an article that resonated with me about what a worship service intending to reach the up and coming generation might look like. The author concluded that in the search for meaning millennials are starting to realize that “new” and “trendy” doesn’t guarantee happiness and satisfaction. Studies are showing that there is a hunger, not for traditional worship, but worship that is anchored in a rich heritage. I think that this is due to a longing for substance, which ultimately can only be found in the person of Jesus.
So after much prayer and consideration we have decided to start a Communion Service that will aim to tap into our Christian heritage while preserving who we are as Grace Community Church. That being said, this service will differ from our current worship service in a few ways:
First, communion will be offered every week. We hope that by offering this practical means of grace more frequently that it will be a blessing to those that regularly attend this service, as well as an opportunity for someone in the later service who misses a Sunday when communion is served to visit this service to come to the table. It also allows for those, moved by the Holy Spirit, who let the elements pass them by in order to confess sin or seek forgiveness to act on that leading knowing that they could participate in communion the following week.
Second, historic elements such as the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostles’ Creed will be used more frequently in this service. These elements will inform us of our past while reminding us of their relevance to the present. Our heart is to show how those who have come before us found their joy in Christ and that their hope is the same hope that we have today. The songs that we use in this service will be drawn from our existing catalogue as we are already intentional about using a blend of hymns and lyrically deep, musically accessible songs from today.
Third, we have been challenged as a Session to know and embrace our limitations. Therefore, for the time being, we have designed a service that will have minimal impact on our current paid and volunteer staff. This means that a nursery will be provided, but children ages three and older will remain in the sanctuary for the duration of the service. (As a parent of a three-year-old, now seems like a good time to clarify that this service will be an hour long and each segment will have a shorter duration than that of our current service.) In terms of music, the primary instrument of this service will be the voice of the congregation led by one or two members of the worship team from piano or guitar. Instead of collecting an offering during the service, a box in the worship area will be designated for tithes and offerings. Communion will be served by a few Elders at the table, which means most participants will come to the table to receive the elements.
I hope that all of you can attend one of our information meetings after the service Feb 21st and Feb 28th. These identical meetings will give you a chance to ask questions, hear more about our heart behind the Communion Service, and prayerfully consider how you might be able to help!
Grace and Peace,
Jimmy Wood
