Category Archives: Reflection

What is appropriate “scripture” for worship

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Let me begin this reflection with this:

From the PC(USA) Book of Order
W-1.4005

a. The minister as pastor has certain responsibilities which are not subject to the authority of the session. In a particular service of worship the pastor is responsible for

(1) the selection of Scripture lessons to be read,
(2) the preparation and preaching of the sermon or exposition of the Word

W-2.2007

The preached Word or sermon is to be based upon the written Word. It is a proclamation of Scripture in the conviction that through the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ is present to the gathered people, offering grace and calling for obedience. Preaching requires diligence and discernment in the study of Scripture, the discipline of daily prayer, cultivated sensitivity to events and issues affecting the lives of the people, and a consistent and personal obedience to Jesus Christ. The sermon should present the gospel with simplicity and clarity, in language which can be understood by the people. [remainder deleted]

I recently attended worship on the Lord’s Day at one of the more progressive churches in the PC(USA) and had a most unusual experience that is informed by the two quotes above from the Book of Order.  The sermon that unfolded would send members of any other American Presbyterian denomination running for their judicial commissions and pastoral examinations.  For some churches within the PC(USA), this is just another Sunday morning.

For this particular service the first scripture lesson was from the Gospel of John.  The second “scripture” lesson, and the one that was favored for the preaching, was from a Gnostic Gospel.  This was lifted up as a parallel, alternative and in some ways better account of a particular story than the Gospel of John presented with the strong implication that the councils that decided the canon were wrong leaving it out.

Now, I have heard many sermons, and their quality and style covers the whole spectrum.  (As a COM liaison to PNC’s I have listened to hundreds of different preachers both live and on tape.)  I have heard children’s books read, I have heard all manner of analogies, allegories and modern parables, and I have heard statements that I believe to be down right wrong.  I have also heard Gnostic Gospels and all manner of ancient and modern literature quoted within the body of the sermon.  But I am sure this is the first time I have heard a Gnostic Gospel not just quoted in the sermon, but portions read as the primary scripture lesson for the day.

I probably should also comment that there was no significant exegesis of either scripture text but they were simply used as a jumping off point for a discussion of current events and the oppression of particular groups.  I can only guess if this reassures you or troubles you even more.

So, what can a pastor preach within the latitude of the Directory for Worship?  While W-1.4005 does provide for latitude, or at least some “academic freedom” I think that both sections are pretty clear that preaching is to be based on the Scriptures, and these are defined by various confessions,  in particular the Westminster Confession.  In addition, that document goes on to say: The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.”  Yes, these Gnostic Gospels while apocryphal are not part of the Apocrypha, but I think this guidance would apply to them as well.  In the case of the sermon I just heard the pastor may disagree with the statement that it was not divinely inspired.

Well the preaching is up to the pastor, guided by the Holy Spirit, but the Book of Order does say it is to be “based on the written Word.”  While I recognize and appreciate the flexibility the Directory for Worship offers, I believe that it also provides boundaries which I see as being crossed in this case.  The reading of Scripture is accorded a particular place of honor in our worship.  To substitute something else in that place, however divinely inspired the preacher may consider it, seems inappropriate and contrary to two millennial of corporate guidance.  Yes, you can use it in the sermon.  But don’t substitute it for Scripture.

Whom do you seek?

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Whom do you seek?  That really is the question of the day on this, or any, resurrection Sunday.  As modern Christians we come to worship this morning “knowing the answer.”  The music this morning in the “regular” service I attended included brass, bagpipes, organ, percussion including timpani, and a full choir.  Even our sunrise service had the brass ensemble.  And the music was glorious!  Well preformed, appropriate for worship, spiritually uplifting.  What more can I say…

Except that as I reflected on Easter this afternoon I had to go back to that pivotal phrase in the scripture lesson from the Gospel of John:  Whom do you seek?

The first resurrection day did not have all of the horns and choirs.  Those announced Jesus’ birth.  Now Jesus was in the tomb, or at least was supposed to be.  As one of my children said when they were very young “Dead is dead.”  And all the disciples knew was death.  We rightly celebrate the resurrection for the joyful event it is, for it also represents the hope of our salvation and our own resurrection.  But we must hold this in the tension of what that first resurrection day held.  None of the disciples expected it no matter how many times Jesus told them otherwise.  Resurrection was, and still is, outside the realm of human experience.  Dead is dead.  So when asked “Whom do you seek?” they were not looking for the living amidst the dead, but the body in the grave yard.  They were expecting the ordinary not the extra-ordinary because that was too far beyond their experience and understanding.

Whom do you seek?  Maybe this is why I am such a fan of Easter sunrise services.  There is something about being out there in the dark and cold that resonates in me and helps me realize that I do seek the living among the dead.  Something that helps me better connect with that first resurrection morn.  Something that makes me realize that in our human existence death is the end but that in God’s order it is only the beginning.  It helps me realize the quiet and loneliness those first disciples felt that morning as they visited the tomb.  As they began, it was an experience of longing.  By the end it was an experience of wonder, if not understanding.

Do we, can we, fully grasp the divine miracle that is embedded in this event and the incredible 180 degree turn it placed in the disciples’ lives?  Does our knowing the story keep us from really grasping how everyday experience and natural laws were so totally violated in Jesus’ resurrection?  What can we do to grasp the significance that we and the disciples are looking for the living among the dead when that question is asked “Whom do you seek?“

Reflections on Ash Wednesday

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This year for my congregation’s Ash Wednesday service I had the privilege of being the liturgist.  For Ash Wednesday the liturgist has two responsibilities:  Leading the responsive prayer of confession (or litany of penitence) and being responsible for one of the pots of ashes.  The prayer is fairly straight forward, very similar to what can be found in several book of common worship liturgies (such as the litany of penitence in this example).

The second responsibility is creating and imposing ashes at one of the two stations.  We traditionally have a long period of silence following the prayer of confession when we write our personal sins or confession on a 5×5 slip of paper.  The assurance of pardon it pronounced by the clergy as he and I burn these pieces of paper in the pots.

The symbolism is always striking, the smoke rising to heaven as our sins are reduced to ashes in front of our eyes.  And the responsibility of imposing the ashes on an individual’s forehead or hand as they came up to my station and I pronounced “Set your face towards Jesus to follow him today, this Lenten season, and beyond” was deeply moving.  (The words were used this year in reference to Luke 9:51 (particularly the NRSV or KJV) which was part of the evening’s message.)

But one additional aspect of the service struck me even more.  When we applied the flame to the stack of loosely packed pieces of paper they filled a five gallon pot almost to the brim.  By the time all the papers were consumed only a fine layer of ash remained on the bottom of the pot about 1/8th inch thick.  Not only did the fire wipe them out so they could no longer be read and the smoke carry the sacrifice to heaven, but the fire consumed the sins reducing them to next-to-nothing.  Just enough to apply to our foreheads  to carry around as a reminder of our sinfulness and the need for God’s greatness.

Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

Remembering All the Saints

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For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Greetings on this All Saints Day.  While it may not be a regular part of our Presbyterian heritage, for many years now I have observed it as an opportunity to remember those Saints that I have known in my life and the impact they have had on me and the Church.

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

As I spend much of the day humming Sine Nomine I particularly remember those who went to be with the Lord in the last year.  For Ed, a very faithful choir member and long-time member of the church.  For Vivian, a hard working presbyter and congregation leader.

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the wife of one of our hard working elders and seminary students.  For warm and fuzzy individuals but real prayer warriors such as Fern.  For another Ed who lived out his faith in the public arena.

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For all of these faithful individuals and many more I give thanks for their impact on the church and on me.

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the complete words to For All the Saints, by William Walsham How, from the CyberHymnal