note from the pastor

November 2008

Parsons’ Point of View

Perhaps you have seen the cartoon depicting a church cemetery where in the center of the frame is a tombstone of a clergyman. The epitaph reads: “He tried to change the order of worship”. Gulp. The cartoon reminded me that perhaps it’s time to write about some convictions I have when planning worship.

I believe that both continuity and newness or predictability and surprise are worship ingredients that need to be balanced in weekly worship. One does not have to be sacrificed for the other. So, while most of the time the order of worship will be entirely predictable from one Sunday to the next, there will be occasional changes. For instance, I like to choose different choral responses that the congregation sings for a set period of time or a season, e.g. the choral response after the Assurance of Forgiveness or the choral response after the benediction. The Gloria Patri or Old 100th Doxology will be sung regularly but not necessarily every Sunday. For a period of time, we may collect the offering before the sermon or we may have an extended period of silence for our Prayer of Confession.

Hymns and Choral Responses:- When choosing hymns, I try to choose hymns that fit the theme of a particular Sunday, or the liturgical season, and/or the scripture reading and sermon. Secondly, I would like hymns to be “sing-able” for most of us gathered for worship. My favorite hymns and songs are those that I find myself humming on a Sunday afternoon walk or when washing the evening’s dishes! I encourage you to let me know of a beloved hymn you would like us to sing some Sunday morning. Most often, the music director, Becky Sweet and I collaborate on the choices made for congregational singing; of course, she is in charge of the musical selections for the choir.

I believe there is an implicit covenant between preacher and congregation about the length of Sunday morning worship. My sense is that a congregation does not grow antsy or irritable when a worship service extends beyond one hour when we are truly engaged with praising God, engaging with God’s Word, and celebrating the sacraments or special moments in our life together—e.g. installation of officers, welcoming new members, learning of special mission in our church. When there are “extras” in a worship service, Becky and I will make accommodations in other areas of the worship service in order to keep the service close to one hour. But, there will be times when worship escapes the time boundary of the “Protestant hour.” This is when we are called to remember that grace abounds—especially on the Lord’s Sabbath!

The TME WITH CHILDREN – I love the privilege of sharing this time with the smart, engaged and numerous children of LPC! My plan is to share this responsibility about twice a month with lay persons who have told me how much they also enjoy giving the children’s message. I have made a decision to schedule TIME WITH CHILDREN for the 11:OO service only. If a number of families with small children who want to participate in this time begin to regularly attend the early service, we can change this decision.

I’m out of newsletter space, but I will be sharing with you more about my convictions and hopes regarding worship in the months ahead. In the meantime, please know that I have truly loved worshipping God with you these first three months and that I welcome you to share with me your convictions, your hopes, your experience of Sabbath day worship at Leesburg Presbyterian Church. It is absolutely the most important thing we do as a community of faith.

Grace and peace,

- Debbie

Leesburg Presbyterian Church
207 W. Market Street; Leesburg, VA 20176
office 703-777-4163 | fax 703-777-4666

office@lpcva.org | www.lpcva.org

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