Transforming Worship Diocesan Formation Days February 2009

Transforming Worship Adam and Eve Talking with God in the garden

Transforming Worship Abraham and Patriarchs Hospitality Piling up stones

Transforming Worship Solomon’s Temple Sacrifice and Festivals

Transforming Worship Synagogue Gathering of people Teaching & praying

Transforming Worship Worship is very varied in style and shape through the Bible. Worship is culturally shaped as well as transformative of culture. Buildings (and lack of them) shape and restrict how we worship Rituals and Festivals developed and changed – e.g. Passover – ‘harvest’ to ‘liberation’ New festivals could be introduced e.g. Hannukah and Purim

Transforming Worship Jewish Tradition blends: - 1.Festival gathering – including feasting 2.Regular congregational worship 3.Family / household prayer 4.Initiation / rites of passage for individuals both in the home and public Do we enable these four aspects in our own worship as a local church?

Transforming Worship Worship that will transform Needs to connect Needs to draw people towards God Needs to encourage people to return Will mix transcendent and immanent “immersion” and explanation ritual and the immediate

Transforming Worship The Festival Service The Rite Service and the Regular Service Are similar and also very different. Most apparent at baptisms in the main service where the baptism family has very different expectation and reason for being there from the regular congregation.

Four strands for strong rope Festival gathering – including feasting Regular congregational worship Family / household prayer Initiation / rites of passage for individuals Worship that will transform Needs to connect Needs to draw people towards God Needs to encourage people to return Will mix transcendent and immanent “immersion” and explanation ritual and the immediate Services Regular Festival Rite