Video Address by Pastor Frank:
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2010— Celebrate the Diversity of Christian Worship Traditions at Iona church

 

According to our recent worship survey, my job description for 2010 is pretty clear: change things up a little, but not too much. Add more creative elements to the service, and a little more tradition to the 11 am service.  OK easier said than done.  I asked God to help me understand how this could be done and then, one day, as I was standing in the parking lot, looking at the new cross and flame sign, my eyes wandered up to the very top of our church steeple.

 

I never realized it before, but there is a Celtic cross up on top. Suddenly, a vision formed in my mind and the more I thought about it the more I realized that this may be the answer I was looking for.  My first thought was: wouldn’t it be neat if we could incorporate some Celtic worship elements in our services such as instruments, songs, prayers, creeds, and maybe even a little river dance?

  

The vision grew from there to include rites, prayers, and practices from different traditions all around the world.  I presented this vision to our church board and was given the green light to go ahead with it.

 

So, I am very excited and just hope that I am not the only one. I am already fleshing out the vision by planning special worship events during our Sunday worship services in 2010 that will be interesting and spiritually enriching—taken from different traditions, one tradition per month.

 

Each of these segments will only take up a few minutes in our services. The rest of the service is going to be conducted as usual.  I hope and pray that learning about and engaging in these different practices will connect us more deeply to the larger Christian church and enrich our theology and spirituality and give us a deeper understanding of the history of Christianity—form whence we came.

         

One Sunday we might experience an ancient chant, another Sunday we will learn about traditions we don’t have, such as Three Kings Sunday. We will pray ancient prayers, recite creeds, have dramatic presentations, and learn about ancient Christian symbols and practices.

             

Overview of Worship Service Themes in 2010 (see more details in the “Upcoming Worship Service” section):

January –Eastern Mediterranean: Orthodox Traditions of Worship (during Epiphany)

February – Western Europe: Roman Traditions of Worship (during Lent)

March –  Northern Europe: Traditions of Celtic Worship (St. Patrick’s Day)

      

April-May —  Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations Sermon Series

Summer (June-August) --different topics

  

September – North Africa: Nestorian and Augustinian Traditions of Worship   

October – Central Europe: Traditions of the Reformation (Reformation Day)

November – North America: Traditions of the Great Awakenings

December – Christmas Traditions from Around the World.

 

I am excited about our joint spiritual journey in 2010. 

 

In Christ’s service…Pastor Frank

         
 

         

Upcoming worship services in January 2010: 

 

Celebrating the Eastern Christian traditions in the January services

In the month of January, we will experience an ancient chant, learn about the Three Kings Sunday tradition. We will pray ancient prayers, and learn about ancient Christian symbols and decorations. On another Sunday we will hear a sermon based on a reading from a sacred writing which is included in the Eastern Orthodox Bible, but not in our Protestant canon of the Bible.

 

           

3 January 2010 – Three Kings Day

Roy and YF have the children’s sermon. Everyone in attendance will receive a gift/treat for Three Kings Sunday. Message by Pastor Frank: “Where Two Or Three Are Gathered…” various Scripure readings on the importance of church and Sunday School attendance.

Special Music (both services):  “The Sunday School Blues”

        

10 January 2010 -  Epiphany Sunday

Message by Pastor Frank: “Imitating Christ—the path to Deification” 1 Peter 2:20-25

The Choir will teach us a chant from the Eastern tradition

Music: 8:45 am –Chancel Choir; 11:00 am – songs led by OUTSPOKEN

       

           
17 January 2010 - Communion Sunday (method: by intinction

Message by Pastor Frank: “The Best is Still To Come” based on John 2:1-11

Dramatic reader’s presentation on the mystery of Communion in the Eastern spirit

Music: 8:45 am –Choir: Men of Zion; 11:00 am – songs led by OUTSPOKEN

 

24 January 2010  -3^rd Sunday after Epiphany

Message by Clydette

Prayer of confession and pardon, Eastern Style

Music: 8:45 am –Iona Bell Choir, Joyful Ringers; 
11:00 am – songs led by OUTSPOKEN

          

 

31 January 2010—4^th Sunday after Epiphany

Message by Pastor Frank: “Tested and Found Worthy” Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9

video presentation on the theology behind the burning of incense

Music: 8:45 am –Cherub Choir and Rainbow Ringers; 
11:00 am – songs led by OUTSPOKEN, Iona’s Praise Band

 

 

Looking ahead: 

 

February 2010 --Celebrating the Roman Tradition of the Church

Like the Eastern Tradition, the Roman church offers a lot of meaningful prayers, rich creeds, as well as deep meditative practices especially for the season of Lent.  The Ash Wednesday service will be in the style of a modern Roman Taize’ service.

 

 

 

March 2010—Celebrating the Celtic Church Tradition

With St. Patrick’s Day placed squarely in the month of March, we decided to celebrate some of the Celtic traditions of the Christian church throughout the month.  During our worship services in March, we will encounter Celtic instruments, dances, tunes, hymns, prayers, symbols and other traditions.

 

Have a blessed 2010……Pastor Frank & Brigitte