Having gathered as a congregation before God, we now listen for God’s word to us this day, and in gratitude we respond as best we can. The Service of the Word comprises several main elements, including children’s time, scripture, proclamation and discussion. Affirmations of Faith, announcements, offering and prayers of the people are included in this section as responses to God’s Word.

Often as a means of preparation for this section a hymn is sung. It might be a song that calls on God's Holy Spirit to prepare us, that our minds and hearts will be opened to the Word that God is speaking to us today. The hymn may also point to the theme of the scripture text and message preparing us and focussing our minds and hearts.

4. Children's Time

The Children’s story, and the children’s response, is an important a part of worship.  It is the proclamation of the Gospel to and by them.  It can take many forms, but the Project Reconnect DVD always includes a Children’s segment.  This is sometimes used to activate an intergenerational faith conversation.  The children’s time can come before the readings or after, according to local custom.

* 5. The Scripture Readings

The first way we listen for the voice of God is through the Holy Scriptures. It is the scriptures that have had pre-eminent place in hearing God's voice calling us back to God's dream for creation. In Project Reconnect we use the Revised Common Lectionary. The Revised Common Lectionary is an organisational device that helps us read through the main themes of the Scriptures over a period of three years. They also follow the seasonal themes like Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. Sometimes using the Lectionary can create some limitations but as we are part of organising supporting worship for many many congregations we believe it has great benefit than deficiencies. The Lectionary provides for four readings for each Sunday. There is an Old Testament reading, a Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), and an Epistle (remainder of the New Testament). The 4th reading is often from the Psalms. It is not necessary to always read all the readings, but it is encouraged that the Gospel be read.

* 6. Proclamation of the Word

The readings are usually followed by a contemporary expression of God's Word, typically, in the past, by way of a sermon – or sometimes by drama, or music or other creative means.   In Project Reconnect, we present what we call a “message”.  It is not really a sermon. 

The message  seeks to open up the readings to enable the congregation to explore what those readings mean in their lives, rather than the preacher tell them what the readings mean.  Proclamation is designed to highlight the truths expressed in the scriptures and connect those truths to the events and circumstances of our contemporary life.  Proclamation helps us to understand what God is saying and challenges us to commit ourselves to live out the values of God in the world.

# 7. Discussion

Proclamation is the work of the whole people of God, not just the “preacher”.  The discussion time in Project Reconnect is a vital part of Proclamation.  In sharing their understanding and their faith stories, the congregation proclaims the Gospel. The discussion is somewhat unique to Project Reconnect (as far as we know). Once God's Word has been proclaimed then it is for us to respond. Sharing our thoughts and opinions can strengthen and encourage not only our faith, but the faith of others as well. This can be a time of growing closer relationships as well as clarifying our response to God’s call on our lives.

8. Affirmation of Faith

An Affirmation of Faith is a way a congregation can respond. The tradition of the church has been to respond to the Service of the Word by reciting Affirmations of Faith such as Creeds (Nicene, Apostles Creeds) or Statements of Faith[1]. There are many resources that have contemporary Statements of Faith that can be used. This helps us to put into common language the things we know and understand about God. These short sentences summing up our faith are usually easy to remember and can help us to live out the call of God in our every day lives.

9. Announcements and Offering

The announcements and offering are appropriately placed at this point because they too are a response to the call of God on our lives. We have heard God's voice, God's call, and the announcements become a part of our description of how we give expression to our response to that call. We will pray about these things shortly in the “Prayers of the People”. So too is the offering. Our financial giving is a response to God's call and an expression of our commitment to resource the works of the church as we together work out the mission and ministry of the church as guided by the word of God. The offering also gives us a chance to offer not only our money but also our lives as we stand and dedicate them to God. It is Ok to move these items to where best suits your context.

* 10. Prayers of the People

We then pray. We sometimes call these prayers our prayers of Intercession. These prayers too are a response. They are a response to hearing and learning of what God wants for creation, for God's world. These prayers are also speaking with God, conversing with God about what we have heard in the message and how that might be expressed amidst our world. This time may include meditation, sung responses, extemporary prayer, or guided prayer. It is important to remember that these prayers are not about a shopping list of our requests awaiting God's response but is us responding to God's will and giving expression in our prayers to that will in the life, world, and creation, around about us. The Prayers of the People usually conclude with the praying of the Lord’s Prayer by the congregation.

[1] Basis of Union. 1992: Par.9

 

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October 10, 2007 - December 2009