A couple of months ago, Sandra Barnes wrote a great newsletter article about helping our children worship.
Now let’s consider how we can help older kids (and ourselves) have a healthy worship experience.
We begin with the realization that we come to worship in order to . . . worship! That’s a giving activity (we give God our praise, our thanks, our attention to his Word). Of course we also receive (his forgiveness, mercy, Christ’s body and blood).
Worship is work. It involves preparation, meditation, reflection. Most of all, it requires concentration. We pay close attention to the words we speak, the words we hear, the prayers we join in, the hymns we sing.
There are, of course, lots of distractions. Lots. So each of us needs to find ways in which to filter out the distractions and remain attentive.
Sometimes it means sitting closer to the chancel. Or reading through the worship bulletin’s liturgy (especially the Biblical Readings) as part of our meditation even before the service begins. Or letting family members (especially children) know that we’re not going to converse with them after the service has begun and we’re in the worship “zone.”
If we can’t (or don’t like to) sing, we can read the words (even speaking them aloud) as the hymns are sung by others, meditating upon the words. We listen carefully to the readings from Scripture and even force ourselves – when need be – to concentrate on the sermon.
It’s also important as a courtesy to others to remain in the sanctuary throughout the worship service rather than to exit and re-enter. In fact, it’s a matter of long-standing church etiquette that no one ever walks out while Scripture is being read (except in an emergency). Nor should late arrivals enter during the Confession, Readings, and Prayers. Simply wait for a natural “break” in the worship to enter, not while everyone is silent or in prayer.
Again, worship is work. It doesn’t come naturally to us. We’re always learning how to involve ourselves in it more fully. Let me know if you’d like any more pointers or suggestions to make your worship fuller and richer.
Peace & Joy!
Ron