Article in March Expressions
If you haven’t already done so, mark April 15 on your calendar because that is the day St. Andrew’s launches an exciting and new chapter in its church story.
On that day, Encounter, the second worship service of our congregation is taking off.
Those attending this new service can expect to feel the same friendly, loving and inviting atmosphere you do at the 10 a.m. worship service. But you will also experience a service that is a little more casual, a little less formal and a little more relaxed.
You’re going to hear some different instruments too – namely guitars, percussions and the piano.
“The Session of St. Andrew’s has grappled with the issue of worship and has invited the congregation to do the same,” Jeremy Bellsmith, director of congregational development explains. “When we polled the congregation in February, over 80% opted for some sort of modifications to our worship. Our session looked at what would be the best way to serve our two goals: first, continuing vibrant ministry to our parishioners and second, sharing Christ’s good news with those people outside our walls.”
Through many meetings and hours of discussion, he says, Session unanimously felt our church could serve both the congregation and reach out to newcomers by offering something “in addition” to how we presently worship.
Even though right now we aren’t “bursting at the seams” in terms of people attending worship service, the feeling about Encounter is that it will make room for newcomers who may not be able to identify with how we do things.
Some people may question whether the new service is truly a “worship” service.
“The heart mandates what worship is” Jeremy explains. “Since worship is about “giving worth” to someone or something. How we do that is a matter of taste, culture and tradition.”
“We hold ourselves in the reformed tradition and so would best describe Presbyterian worship as “Reformed” worship. However, Reformed refers only to the elements of and in what spirit worship is done. It does not refer to the forms or the atmosphere of worship. We can have a call to worship, prayers of adoration and confession, the reading and preaching of the Word and a response to it, all within a casual and relaxed atmosphere, using music and artistic forms non-church goers can better relate to.”
Session, he ads, believes worship can be both reformed and understandable to those not familiar with our style.
To achieve this goal, a number of people are going to be very busy between now and the launch of Encounter.
A team is currently working to pull all the elements of the service together. Jeremy is forming the band and is asking any musicians and singers interested in taking part in the service to speak with him.
Other people are designing Encounter web pages and marketing materials.
An Encounter Worship committee is making recommendations to Session about the order of service, songs that should be included as well as ideas about how to plan for joint services.
In addition, Sunday school teachers are investigating relevant ways to minister to our children during the Encounter service.
There will be a children’s program for infants through to grade five during the second service. They will begin in the sanctuary then head out to small groups or workshops and then come together in a large group wrap up time.
Students from grade 6 and up will be involved with the Encounter service.
“We will continue to evaluate both the children’s ministry of Encounter as well as Encounter itself through the worship committee and Session. It may be changed and adjusted, shifting when necessary to remain a dynamic and vibrant expression of faith” Jeremy adds.
The service itself will be comparable to that which the congregation experienced on February 18. Participants will be called to worship by the scriptures, will confess our sin in prayer and receive God’s assurance. We will bring our gifts to God and hear His work through the Holy Scriptures and though the minister’s message.
Our minister and the director of congregational development will be involved in both services. Elders will be present at both services as well.
What you can do as a member of this congregation is to pray for God’s blessing on both services, and God’s wisdom for those working hard in each. Also, you can attend the service you feel most comfortable in and get involved in the worship, no matter what time on Sunday morning you choose to come.
Coffee time will continue to be a social time for our members and will remain during the two services.
In addition, Session is striking a social committee to organize whole church “connection” events to gather the entire church and friends outside of the congregation.
On high holy days and significant Sundays, there will be one worship service to bring the entire congregation together. This service will reflect the various styles meaningful to our community at St. Andrew’s.
We hope to have invitations and corresponding website information prepared by the beginning of April. Members of the congregation can then drop the invites off to any of their neighbours and friends who might be interested in attending Encounter.
Encounter can be a wonderful opportunity for us to share the joy we receive from God through the community of St. Andrew’s.