Section EAGER FOR WORSHIP:
Theologies, Practices and Perspectives on Worship in the United Church of Canada

Ch 6 Sermons, Ch 7 Prayer, Ch 8 Music
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Catherine Pace
CHAPTER SIX - Sermon Preparation and Preaching
Charlotte addresses this topic very well especially for the benefit of those who do not preach on a regular basis and have some difficulty understanding the ways that sermons are developed.

" In his book Preaching, Fred Craddock names two key assumptions on which he bases preaching:
1. Sermons that grow and mature over a period of time are usually superior homiletically, theologically, and biblically as well as in ease and freedom of delivery - to those " gotten up" just days or even hours prior to presentation.
2. Most listeners wish not only to get the preacher's point ( amen) but also to make their own discoveries during the preaching ( ah-ha)."
These two assumptions form the basis for chapter 6.

Charlotte says there are three ritual questions that can form the focus: Who is this sermon for? What am I trying to say? What am I aiming to do?

Listen to the people in the congregation, think about them, the space they are in, what is happening in their lives. Ther sermon needs to be appropriate and inviting. Remember to spend time in quiet and prayer, read and reread the scriptures so that the text speaks to you. Then choose a forms that most suits the message being understood.
1. Expository ( also called exegetical, biblical, interpretation, running commentary) expoun on a passage of scripture and apply it to a present day setting.
2.Textual Sermons - centre on the theme or truth of one verse or sentence and show it's meaning for everyday life.
3. Narrative offers a creative method for telling the story and leave some questions open-ended.
4. Thematic ( also called topical) relates all of the points and aspects of the sermon to one central theme chosen from scripture, theology or world -events,
5. Doctrinal similar to thematic using the church as theme.
6. Sacramental preaching sees the sermon as a "means of grace" the medium is the message, the sermon embodies God, and enables people to encounter God.
7. Ethical or Social sermons often focus on moral or social problems and some solutions to them.
8. Prophetic sermons are created from the perspective of those who traditionally been powerless in society and voiceless in the church. Based on the belief that the pwoerless have unique insights into God's will and grace, the sermon names evils in society.
9. Evangelistic ( may be called personal testimony or conversion - orientated sermons). Preacher names options for salvation based in a cycle of conviction, repentance, forgiveness and grace.
10. Devotional ( also called inspirational, pastoral) lead people to worship God and to improve theirs lives in a God-ward direction, often draw on psychology and sociology.
11. Healing sermons focus on brokeness and problems and then seek healing and meaning in the midst of those problems.
12. Evocative sermons rely on indirection, suggestion and question to prompt the congregation's identification with the text. Uses imagination, metaphor and moves from judgement to grace, law to gospel, cross to resurrction. It is invitational - open-ended, leaves mystery.
13. Apologetic ( or philosophical) rely on logical argument.
14. Didactic sermons are for teaching, imparting knowledge or information.
15. Inductive sermons begin with human experience and move to the gospel message.
16. Dramatic Sermons use monologue, dialogue, multilogue, drama, dance, multimedia, case study, group study, clowning, musical. What is important is knowing why which medium is being used,
Craddock believes there are 6 qualities to be sought in a sermon:
1. Unity - mesaage should be able to be stated in one simple sentence.
2. Memory - sermon should be in the tradition of the believing church,
3. Recognition - people should see themselves in the gospel.
4. Indentification- the congregation need to be able to identify with the text and characters.
5. Anticipation - " the preacher understands the dynamic of anticipation, and therefore designs sermons which create expectation with early promise, but which will delay the fulfilment of that promise until the listener is sufficiently engaged to own the message asnd take responsibility for what is heard."
6. Intimacy - vulnerability happens in sermons so needs care and respect.
Caron would add:
7. Order- sermon needs to be easy to follow
8. Progress- sermon should go someplace, have a point.
9. Invitation - people need the option of saying yes or no
Sermons should contain concrete images, clear phrases and not drag on .

Delivery should be slow, clear, loud. Not too many hand gestures, make eye contact with the people, do not lean on the pulpit.
CHAPTER SEVEN   - Prayer
Caron talks about the need for prayer in ones life and especially in the life of a preacher. She goes on however to distinguish between private and publice prayer: Public prayer is for the whole church, not just individuals.
1. Praise- ackknowledges the greatness and glory of God.
2. Invocation - calls on God to assist us in our worship, to be present/revealing/ transforming.
3. Confession - recognizes personal and corporate sin.
Assurance follows the confession.
4. Thanksgiving - for God's creative activites and our opportunity to particiapte in them.
5. Intercession- prayers for others and the needs of the world.
6. Prayers for Ourselves: two kinds: supplication and offtertory
Prayers may be prepared by the individual or may be found in books such as Celebrate God's presence.

There are many types of prayers: pastoral, collect, litany, antiphonal, bidding, unison, silent, memorized, the Lord's Prayer.
CHAPTER EIGHT  -  Music.
The United church has had three official Hymn Books since its founding:

The Hymnary published in 1932 brought together the music of the founding denominations.

The Hymn Book published in 1971 brought together music from the Anglican and United Church Traditions at the time when the churches were talking union.

Voices United was published in 1996 to update the music used within the church.

Besides these offical Hymn Books other publications were produced over the years to meet specific needs.

In 1937 Songs for Little Children was produced. 1939 saw Canadian Youth Hymnal came on the scene. 1947 saw Songs of the Gospel appear.

In 1987 the Alberta and Northwest Conference and British Columbia Conference published on their own Songs For A Gospel People. This book far exceeded the expectations of the compliers and showed the church it was time for a new hymn book.
Caron goes on to quote John wesley's instruction for congregational singing:
Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing....

Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead or half asleep; but life up your voice with strength.....

Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to pleasing God in every word you sing.
For Wesley and other Musical Levity, including a most illustrative comparison of traditional and contemporary music in worship at the St. David's Musical Levity Page. Just click here.
Charlotte goes on to talk about the role of choirs, the importance of children and youth in worship, how they learn, and how they can teach us.

She also mentions the many ways church musicians and ministers can work together.

There is much food for thought with this book. It also provides the start place to do some reflective thinking about the ways worship is panned and conducted within the congregation one attends.

Thank-you Charlotte.
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St. David's United Church.Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The United Church of Canada.

April 21 2002