Over the next few weeks I'll start posting some devotional thoughts and background trivia on subjects surrounding various elements that comprise the majority of Sunday liturgies. I know "liturgy" is an old-fashioned word and not much in favor with a lot of evangelical churches as it smacks of being too Catholic or something, but I prefer the term and hope we can reclaim it for a new day. After all, liturgy is a Greek term composed of two words, leitos, which means "public" or "the people's", and ergon meaning, "work". In the early days of the church leitourgein was used to represent a "service to the state", but over time it gained a particular broad Christian usage in regards to public service (see Luke 1:23, Acts 13:2, 2 Cor. 9:12, Phil. 2:17 and Heb. 9:21). By the 5th century it was relegated solely to acts of ritual or gathered worship.

Every church has a liturgy, or order of service, even though they may not use the term. If you sing two hymns, sit for a sermon, pray, pass the offering plate, sing three more hymns and listen to some announcements THAT is your liturgy. It may not be very well thought out, but it is a liturgy nonetheless. Behind every liturgy is a theology. As Van der Leeuw put it, "Touch the finger of liturgy and you get the whole hand of theology." The elements and content of that which makes up your order of service each week are largely that which you find most important theologically. And like it or not, the liturgy will train your congregation over time to think accordingly. The prayers, readings, sermon and music will have a long-term and profound effect upon your parishioners. We'll begin with a simple subject. 

The Prelude

Every church has its own distinctive flavor when it comes to gathering for worship. Some encourage the quiet entrance and reflective prayer of coming before a holy God; others prefer the joyful exuberance of meeting with fellow brothers and sisters in the fellowship and grace of the Lord, and so emphasize this truth with hugs, handshakes and general merriment. Both are appropriate responses with scriptural support, so I won’t judge which is right for your congregation.

In either case, it has been appropriate during this pre-worship gathering for a prelude to be playing softly in the background. I personally like to say my hellos quietly to those sitting in the pews nearest us and then silently prepare my heart in prayer during this time (when I’m not shushing my five-year old to be quiet), and I’ve found that a reflective piece of music, or in my present congregation, a church bell prelude, are a helpful means of stimulating this time of reflection. I’ve also employed DJs during the prelude/postlude to spin ethereal down tempo, which has worked really well, too; although this idea may take a bit for the older members of your congregation to warm up to.

Whatever style or instrument you employ, it should be appropriate for the nature of coming together before God and fit in with the overall context of your church’s liturgy. Musically it is best if you can modulate the prelude to the key of your opening hymn or call to worship so it flows quite naturally. Music, as Martin Luther regarded it, has an inspiring, creative power and desired to see it, with all the arts, “in the service of him who has given and created them.” (Preface to Walther’s hymnbook, 1524). Next post we'll look at the Invocation (Call to Worship). Grace and peace.