, God Is Still Speaking
All
Saints Celebration
The StillSpeaking Initiative (TSI), a partnership of the national offices, conferences and local churches, combines the work of Evangelism, Stewardship and Identity to inspire members of the United Church of Christ to celebrate our great heritage, bold witness, and eagle-eyed vision toward the future.
In this first of three new annual gatherings, many settings of our church will gather on or around All Saints Day to relish and enjoy who we are and point to the 50th birthday of the United Church of Christ in 2007.
This Outline and Guide is intended for leaders of God Is Still Speaking Celebrations. It is hoped that each Gathering will have common threads which link it with similar events across the UCC, while at the same time reflect the traditions and stories of the particular setting in which it occurs. In that sense what is here is a guide and not a straight jacket!
A word about drama and liturgy. Good liturgy needs to be dramatic without slipping into being simply good theater. Walking the line between the two is not easy, especially in larger, multi-dimensional worship settings such as the one outlined here. Planners need to work carefully to ensure that what takes place in these Gatherings is liturgy which is appropriately dramatic, rather than theater with liturgical components.
Worship is the centerpiece of this Gathering and may be expected to last about 90 minutes. The length of sermon and number of stories are major factors that will affect the duration of the service. It is important that this worship be carefully planned AND carefully rehearsed. We cannot emphasize enough the necessity of a “run through” by all participants in advance.
Accompanying this Outline and Guide on StillSpeaking.com are:
§ A brief guide to thinking through your celebration;
§ A sample bulletin for the service;
§ A resource sheet which outlines some of the historical characters of the UCC (you need to prepare index cards which reflect particular historical figures or events in the history of the UCC which are important in your area);
§ Directions / links to access StillSpeaking music;
§ Introductory material about The StillSpeaking Initiative.
Except for the songs, you are
welcome to adapt these materials to suit your Gathering. The last page of this
Guide carries of list of necessary and suggested materials to support the
celebration.
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NOTES ON LEADERSHIP |
Local leadership will be pivotal to the success of this Gathering program. This guide and other resources/materials will be only as good as the leaders who use them. Key leadership roles for the Gathering are:
§ Gathering Coordinator: One person needs to oversee this whole program. He/she will be like a stage director for the total experience
§ Musical Coordinator: One person should recruit and coordinate the music for the Gathering. It can be the organist or choir director, but this person will assume overall responsibility for the musical portions of the program.
§ Liturgical Host: This person acts as an “MC” for the worship, from beginning to end. He/she may also be one of the liturgist, but that is not a requirement.
§ Liturgists: One or more persons who will participate in the leadership of the worship service. One of the liturgists will carry the Bible in the procession
§ Story Tellers: People who will share the stories of historical figures and events which have been important in the shaping, building and definition of the United Church of Christ.
§ Communion Celebrant(s): Clergy who will preside at the communion table
§ Communion Servers: These people take the role of Deacons, and will serve the communion either at communion stations, or by taking elements to the pews.
§ Preacher: As noted below, an effective, “charismatic” and inspiring speaker
§ Processional Participants: People who will carry banners, or candles, or just process as representatives of churches. Who and how many will vary from place to place, as determined by local leadership.
§ Organist
and/or Choir Director
§ Choir: We suggest a combined choir with members recruited from participating churches
§ Ushers/Welcomers: People to greet people as they arrive at the church building, outside and inside, as well as to take offering, and generally guide the flow of the people at critical points.
§ Parkers: Traffic detail, in the parking lot!
§ Recorders / Photographers: Gather brief interviews / testimonials from participants by inquiring, as in AWhy are you here? What has the experience of this day meant to you? What do you think it will mean to your church? Is there anything you will do differently now? Visually record key elements of the Gathering. Share both with participating communities and The StillSpeaking Initiative.
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NOTES ON CHILDREN |
We encourage the presence and participation of infants and children in this serviceBif only in particular segments (i.e. the procession; the sharing of stories, the offering). Having infants and children present and visible is a tangible witness to the “new church” which we believe that the United Church of Christ is and will be.
Providing for and involving children needs to be planned carefully. You might, for instance, want to consider having a special space in the sanctuary, or adjacent to the sanctuary, in which children can gather, from which they can move into the worship space at appropriate points, and to which they can return at other points.
It is important that the inclusion of infants and children be balanced with the need for worship to speak to and engage the primary youth and adult worshipers with minimum distraction. All worship needs to encompass a dignified spontaneity and a spontaneous dignity, which is a delicate balance to be achieved. Doing so will mean incorporating a myriad of persons and elements in ways which will allow all to “flavor” the overall experience, while creating a constructive balance among them.
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NOTES ON
ARRIVAL AND GATHERING SPACE |
The Gathering begins as the people arrive. Careful attention should be given to that moment and everything that follows. What people see as they arrive, how they are greeted and the guidance they receive about where to go and what to do, will impact their overall experience of the Gathering. Some suggestions about arrival space:
§ A StillSpeaking Banner should be in a prominent place in the front of the church building.
§ If there is a parking lot, Parkers with StillSpeaking shirts/Identification welcome and guide the people to parking spaces. A welcome sheet may be distributed at this point if necessary, with basic information about the Gathering, name tags, etc.
§ In front of the building entrance, Welcomers, with StillSpeaking/identification, should be positioned to greet the people, and to guide them to registration areas. Ideally this should be outside of the worship space. If it is warm, it can be outside the building. If cool, in the narthex or some other open area. The space should be “alive” with color and people, and infuse the people with “immediate energy” about what is to come.
§ Each person should be directed to the name tag table and may be given a StillSpeaking lanyard. If there are pre-printed name tags, help them to find theirs and attach it to the lanyard (if available). If not, direct them to materials to make a name tag.
§ Music[1] should be playing as the people arrive: a jazz combo or other instrumental ensemble, individual solo instruments, a singing ensemble, or recorded music. Any or all of the above would be appropriate. If you do use recorded music, use the best sound equipment available to you.
§ Additional signs or banners should be strategically placed in the welcoming area, with StillSpeaking images, words, colors, etc.
§ Each participant is given a packet of material, which includes a program/worship bulletin for the event, note cards to be used in the service, pencil or pen, introductory material about God is Still Speaking (and if desired, about the television commercials to be shown across the US in November and December), and any other material determined by the local leadership.
§ Encourage people to mingle here and greet people one another before moving into the worship area.
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NOTES ON WORSHIP SPACE |
The worship space needs to be “sensory space.” It should be inviting, feel comfortable and familiar, yet create a sense of expectation and energy. Some suggestions:
§ Banners, Posters, Words, symbols of the UCC and the StillSpeaking identity program, flowers, even incenseBall complementing the regular components of the particular sanctuary B can be used to create this kind of environment.
§ Candles to be lighted during the service should be in place. These may be votive candles on a table(s) in the front and/or chancel area to be used in the service, or other lights or candles.
NOTES
ON LITURGICAL TEXTS AND MUSIC |
§ All the prayer and other liturgical texts are from Book of Worship, United Church of Christ, primarily from the Order for the Service of Word and Sacrament II. This service emphasizes the UCC faith community and seeks to “remind each worshiper not only of God’s presence, but also of the presence of all other worshipers who constitute the community of faith.” You may also choose other liturgical texts that seem more appropriate to your particular region of the United Church of Christ.
§ In some places we have not suggested a specific liturgical text (in the communion service, for instance). In those cases, you may want to choose texts from either order for the Service of Word and Sacrament in Book of Worship.
§ Most hymns listed are from The New Century Hymnal. We have chosen hymns which not only represent the familiar traditions of the United Church of Christ, but also some which represent the emerging traditions of our UCC community and which witness to the rich diversity of that community. Other music relating to the “God is Still Speaking” theme are available alongside this Guide. Perhaps one of these songs will become the “anthem” of the StillSpeaking Gathering in your area.
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ANNOTATED
ORDER OF WORSHIP |
The worship is divided into six parts. A Liturgical Host will participate in the greeting time as people enter and will be the primary guide for the whole service. She/he will have limited up-front role, but will clearly be seen as the “glue” which holds the whole event together, minimizing any confusion and giving people a sense of comfort with the overall experience.
Gathering Time
As the people enter the worship space, there should be music[2] playing. It could be the organ alone, or a small chamber or jazz combo, or some combination of these. This music is intended to be background and “environmental mood setting.” People should feel free to greet one another and talk during this segment prior to the singing. They could even dance in the aisles if they are so inclined, depending on the kind of music chosen!
Once the people are all inside and it is about 5 minutes before the scheduled start time, singing should be initiated to begin to center the people for worship and focus the whole group on why we are here. It is suggested that 2-3 hymns/songs be sung, with a song leader to guide, and that the songs move from lively to more subdued. For instance, begin with This is the Day (65), then Glorious Is Your Name, O Jesus (53) and conclude with Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (286) or Sweet, Sweet Spirit (293).
The Liturgical Host welcomes the people and makes any announcements of instruction for the day and/or other concerns to be brought before the people at this point. This should be clear and concise, yet warm and comfortable.
If there is music to be taught, it would occur at this point. It is probably a good idea to teach any of the StillSpeaking songs here, at the least.
Calling the People to Worship
Once the Liturgical Host is finished, there should be something that transits the people into worship. For instance, a lone voice or instrument might sing or play a simple melody line (similar to the first line of the Advent hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel, or the penetrating opening Prepare Ye the Way of Godspell), or the church bell might be tolled or a smaller bell rung, or a bell choir or voice choir might play/sing a simple song or hymn. Whatever is chosen, the overall effect should be haunting, yet inviting and centering. When ended, allow sufficient silence to allow a “holy hush” to descend upon the people.
When the silence has penetrated every nook and cranny of the worship space, the Liturgist, standing in the center aisle, in the midst of the people, invites the people to stand and greets them with these words:
The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion
of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
The people respond:
And also with you.
OR
L. With what shall we come before the Holy One, and bow ourselves God on high?
P. Shall we come before God with burnt offerings, with calves a
year old?
L. God has showed you, O people, what is good and what does the
Holy One require of you?
P. To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.
The organ begins immediately[3] into the opening hymn. The hymn should be bold and energetic; familiar, but not so familiar that it creates a “Ho hum response;” different, yet not so unknown that people don’t sing! The tune is primary here. If you have a familiar tune, the people will sing. Some possibilities: Praise to the Living God (8), Lift Every Voice and Sing (593), God Is Truly With Us (68), O God, Our Help in Ages Past, (25), The Church’s One Foundation (386).
The procession begins. The procession should include choir, liturgists, preacher, communion servers, and representatives of participating churches bearing their All Saints Day gifts (in a StillSpeaking box) from their churches. At its center should be one who carries the Bible, to be placed on the altar table. In addition, you may wish to include clergy from the churches present in liturgical garb, a representative of each church with sign or banner showing the name of the church, people who witness to the diversity of gender, age, race, ethnicity of those present. Let whole families – parents and infants/children – be visible. Children might carry small banners or other symbols. Infants can be carried/lifted high on a parent’s shoulder for everyone to see.
The procession can be as simple or complex as you wish: people alone, or carrying banners and signs with names of the “saints” of the UCC and of the local settings of the UCC represented in that place, and balloons or streamers. There could be musicians, mimes, other kinds of artists. Use your imagination and the resources in your particular setting. What is important is that the procession be another means of energy and excitement, drawing the people even further into the common space, and preparing them for the common experience.
Once the procession has entered, all are in place, the Bible is on the altar table, the church’s gifts are in place, and the hymn is finished, a Liturgist moves to the front center of the chancel or down to the foot of the chancel. Inviting the people to remain standing, she/he leads the invocation.
L. Christ is with us.
P. Christ is in our midst
L. Let us pray.
All: Gracious God, gentle in
your power and strong in your tenderness, you have brought us forth from the
womb of your being and breathed into us the breath of life. We know that we do not live by bread alone
but by every word that comes from you.
Feed our deep hungers with the living bread that you give us in Jesus
Christ. May Jesus’ promise, “Where two
or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” be
fulfilled in us. Make us a joyful
company of your people so that with the faithful in every place and time we may
praise and honor you, God Most High.
Amen.
The organ begins immediately the Act of Praise. This could be the Gloria Patri or another hymn of praise, or a Gloria from the New Century Hymnal (756-758). The people sing.
The people are seated.
Remembering, Listening, Sharing
The Liturgical Host introduces this segment of the
service with these or similar words: When the people of God come together,
they share the stories of faith with one another, and listen for how God is
speaking to them through these stories and through their being together
NOW. In doing this, people are standing
in the stream of history which has been created by these stories. At the same time, the people are continuing
the creation of the stories and carrying them on into the future. Today, as we gather to commemorate this All
Saints Day as the bearers of the Story of God With Us in the community of
United Church of Christ people, we, too, will listen for how God is speaking to
us individually and to the church that we are together, as we move toward the
future into which God beckons us.
The Host then invites the people to listen to the stories.
Stories from the Past:
Stories should be about individuals or watershed-type situations or events in the life of the Church, particularly the UCC. These are the stories that have been shaping our life and that witness to the God who has and continues to speak through individuals and communities of faith.
The stories may come from a variety of sources:
§ from historical texts (e.g. the words of John Robinson to the Pilgrims upon leaving England);
§ words/writings of more recent figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. in his writings from Birmingham Jail; or Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his Letters from Prison;
§ from contemporary writing (fiction or nonfiction; or from the daily newspaper);
§ or consider using one or both of the StillSpeaking commercials, if available.
Resource sheets for this section accompany this Guide. It is important that you identify and prepare a number of cards which represent stories and people from your particular setting of the United Church of Christ. The object is to recall those who have gone before us, who have shaped the present which we now occupy. They are the cloud of witnesses who surround us in this day and in this church, and who witness to and with us that God is indeed in this place and is still speaking in and through us.
Use different voices to tell each story. The people may be in the front, or in different parts of the sanctuary. Each should have a sign which names the person or situation/event being shared. The reader or a helper should hold up the sign as the story is told. At the end of each story, a candle is lit on the table of votive candles which are placed in the front of the worship space. Stories should not be more than a minute in length. Time will determine how many stories may be shared. That probably will mean a limit of 5-6.
At the end of the stories, the choir sings one of the God is Still Speaking songs. The readers should remain standing in place, with their signs raised during the singing.
Stories from the UCC Present:
The Liturgical Host invites the people, at random, to say aloud names and situations which shape our lives now as UCC people, particularly from their local church. This is an opportunity to include the presence of infants/children. Parents might announce the “arrival” of a new member of the family; a child might name a sibling, grandparent or other member of the family who is/has been important to them. As these names are spoken, the votive candles are constantly being lit. There is no attempt to light one for each name, but rather to give the effect of a constant lighting as the names are spoken. Again, it is important to keep this within a helpful time frame.
The Liturgical Host offers a prayer:
We give you thanks, eternal God, for those who have run the race of faith before us and now surround us like a cloud of witnesses, and for those who pass the word of your love to each new generation. And, too, we give you thanks, living God, that here and now you give us parts to play in the great drama of your love. Speak through us and move through us that the story of your mighty deeds will be known in our time and place. With faithful people of all ages, tongues and races, may we be Christ=s body on earth, for it is in the name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
At the end of the prayer, the organ begins the hymn to be sung. Suggested: For All the Saints (299)
As the congregation begins singing, the people who have shared move around the church, holding the signs above their heads. The movement should bring them back to the front of the chancel where they will stand until the hymn ends.
Once the hymn is finished, the sign bearers are seated. A Liturgist moves to the altar table and carries the Bible out of the chancel, to the head of the center aisle. Liturgist(s) who will read the scripture follow. If desired, a candle bearer can also carry one candle in this process. You might want to include a parent and child in this group gathered around the reader. When they reach the assigned space, the other story tellers move and form a semi-circle behind those who have moved into the aisle. .
Listening to the Scripture
The readings from Scripture were chosen because they both reflect the dimension of the “new” which underlies the Gospel stories, and which the UCC, in its inception, intended to express. You may choose other readings from the Hebrew or Christian Scriptures which express similar perspective.
The people are asked to stand for the reading from the Scripture.
The choir may sing an introit to the reading of Scripture here, if desired. New Century Hymnal #762-765 are possibilities. One of these could be sung at beginning and end of the readings. Another option is Receive the Word by David Haas.[4]
The Scripture lessons are read. Suggested texts: John 11:32-44, Revelation 21:1-6a. These are lectionary (B Cycle) lessons for All Saints Day. If desired, a Psalm and/or lesson from the Hebrew Scriptures may also be read.
At the conclusion of the readings, the choir sings the introit as a response. The Bible is returned to the table and other participants return to their seats.
Sermon
What is desired here is not only an effective and inspiring preacher and communicator, but one who understands and loves the UCC and is willing to be an “evangelist” for the bold vision of the UCC. The sermon should be seen as a part of the whole liturgical experience and not the primary ingredient. At the same time, it is an essential ingredient in the purpose of the Gathering, of witnessing to the United Church of Christ and challenging people to reaffirm their commitment to be part of its life and ministry. The sermon should be 12-15 minutes in length.
Affirmation of Faith/Anthem
In such a gathering of UCC folk, it is important for us to say together that common exclamation of faith which is the heart of our Statement of Faith. The Liturgical Host invites the people to say together the Statement of Faith (885 in the Hymnal, people standing). The people are seated. The choir sings an anthem. The anthem should be a bold affirmation of faith. You might want to explore using one of the musical settings of the UCC Statement of Faith.[5]
Responding to the StillSpeaking God
Prayers of the People
The Liturgist invites the people to a time of silence, during which each person is asked to write, on the cards provided, responses to the following:
1. Name(s) of individuals in the person=s life who have been shaping influences and whose memory they hold dear
2. Name(s) of persons in life of the Church who have been important in their growth as a person of faith
3. Name(s) of the “new saints” in their lives (newborns, children, new friends and spiritual partners).
At the end of the silence, the Liturgist leads the people in prayers. This could be a spoken pastoral prayer, a litany of prayers and responses, or a guided prayer, with silences between segments for individual praying. Whatever form, the prayers should include a time of thanksgiving for our lives, the collective lifting of the names written on the cards, prayers of healing for individuals and for our world. One way to do this is to invite the people to hold the cards which they have written above their heads at those points where the Liturgist prays for any of the above categories of names.
The prayers conclude with a unison prayer of confession, which leads into the offertory and communion.
L. Let us confess our sin against God and each other.
All: Merciful God, we know that you love us and that you call us to fullness of life, built around us and within us we see the brokenness of the world and of our ways. Our successes leave us empty; our progress does not satisfy. Our prosperous land is not the promised land of our longing. Forgive our willful neglect of your word, our insensitivity to the needs of others, and our failure to feed the spirit that is within us, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Silent Moment
L. Almighty God has forgiven you all your sins and has promised to bring you to everlasting life.
All. Amen. Almighty God has forgiven you all your sins and has promised to bring you to everlasting life.
L. Amen.
The people join in singing a hymn. Suggested: In the Bulb There is a Flower (433)
Greeting One Another
The Liturgist speaks of the new community in Christ which God has given us and all people, and to which God is still speaking. Be sure to include the presence of children and encourage adults AND children to participate in the greeting. The Liturgist notes that we are a part of that wide community in the United Church of Christ and invites the people to greet one another as common members of that community, reaching out in love to each other in response to Christ’s command to be at peace with our brother and sister in preparation for offering our gifts to God.
Making our Offerings
After an appropriate time for the greeting, the choir begins to sing softly one verse of the hymn I Thank You, Jesus (41). With the choir continuing to hum the hymn tune, the Liturgist invites the people to prepare to offer their gift. Gifts of money as well as the prayers written on the cards will be offered.
If the logistics allow for it, it is suggested that the people bring their offerings forward and place them in the container at the front, then form a large circle around the sanctuary. Be sure to have them carry their bulletins with them. During this offering, the choir will sing, with more volume and intensity, the hymn. The people are invited to join in singing and clapping in rhythm as they move into the larger circle.
During this process, the communion elements are brought forward and the table is set for the common meal. By the end of the offering, everything should be ready for the communion to be served.
If there are too many people for movement, the offering may be taken in the pews, and then brought to the front and placed in the designated common container. As above, the communion elements should be brought forward and prepared during the offering.
Everyone sings a final verse of the hymn I Thank You Jesus (41). By this time everyone should know the words.
The Liturgist offers words of thanksgiving to God, followed by all saying the Lord’s Prayer.
A Common Meal at God=s Table
The Service of the Table may be simple or more structured. Whatever the mode, the elements identified here should be included.
Each setting will need to make a conscious decisionBand give clear signals, either in the bulletin or in the introductory words of the Communion Celebrant--as to the participation of children in the communion. The invitation to be sung by the choir is clear in its invitation to all, “. . .men and women, youth and children . . .” However, we are aware that custom and tradition varies in this regard across the United Church of Christ and you will need to be clear about what is expected and desired in your particular setting.
Invitation to the Table
If the people are in the pews, they may be seated.
The Liturgist/Celebrant speaks these words:
Luke, the evangelist, wrote of our risen Savior, who at the table with two of the disciples took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.
The choir sings the invitation to communion. (786)
A communion prayer, offered by the Communion Celebrant, is said. The Prayer of Great Thanksgiving, from Book of Worship or from other sources may be used. It is intended that whatever text is used will contain the elements which are included in this prayer in the tradition of the ecumenical church:
§ Thanks for God’s goodness to us in creation and history
§ Remembrance of the cloud of witnesses through whom God has spoken throughout history, as witnessed in Scripture
§ Recalling of Jesus’ words in the upper room
§ Reminding us of the offering of our lives to God in this act of communion
§ Thanks for the gift of God’s Spirit, present and still speaking among us
Breaking and Pouring of the Bread and Cup
Sharing of the Elements
If the people are standing around the room/table, they should be guided to the communion stations to receive, and then to return to their seats.
If the people are seated, ushers/deacons will serve the people in the pews.
Thanksgiving
When all have been served, the Celebrant leads the people in a prayer of thanksgiving. This could be a spoken prayer, a unison prayer or a litany prayer.
If the people are standing, all join hands. If people are in the pews, they are invited to stand and join hands.
The Worship Ends
Sending Forth
The Liturgist/Celebrant offers words of commission and benediction.
L. In this common meal we have celebrated the new day into which God continually invites us. So let us go into that new world, where God is still speaking, ready to serve God with gladness and hope, holding fast to that which is good; rendering to no one evil for evil; strengthening the fainthearted; supporting the weak; helping the afflicted; honoring all people; loving and serving God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
P. Amen
L. The blessing of God Almighty, the Creator, the Redeemer,
and the Sanctifier, be with you all.
P. Amen. Let us go forth.
A Hymn of Parting
The organ immediately begins the final hymn. Suggestions: What a Covenant (471); Sent Forth By God’s Blessing (76)
During the singing of the hymn, the choir and service participants recess to the party site, followed by the people, guided by the ushers.
If there is a jazz combo, it can join the group as it moves into the party room.
[1]Musical plans for the welcome space should be made in relation to the music which will be in the worship space as people enter. If there is space for only one musical presence, the worship space should take priority.
[2]See footnote #1
[3]It is important that there not be elongated periods of “dead space” between segments. The service should have a seamless feel. Musical entrances are particularly important in enabling this. Musicians should be ready to begin immediately at the appropriate moment.
[4]“Receive the Word” from David Haas, “Who Calls You by Name: Music for Christian Initiation,” Volume II. GIA Publications, Inc. http:/www.giamusic.com
[5]If one of these settings is available, it will be available
on http://www.stillspeaking.com/