Dr. J. Lawrence Cuthill

June 27, 2010

Winter Park Presbyterian Church

Today, through the month of July, we are having one service, blending elements of the three services, and giving us the opportunity to gather and worship as one church. Further, it is our intention to focus on WORSHIP: Why? What? How?

One should not assume we all understand “worship” the same. The differences emerge rather sharply when you ask a person who enjoys, and has grown up with, a traditional expression of worship what they think of modern, “contemporary” worship. They don’t have to say it – their facial expression reveals their distaste … but they may volunteer their opinion: “Rock & Roll Service;” “Karaoke Worship.” It goes both ways, however, with adjectives used to describe traditional as “stuffy, staid, and stodgy;” mired in the past. Articles have been written describing these differences as the “Worship Wars.” I say this not to stir the pot, but to appeal to our higher side, to ask all of us to recall our denomination’s slogan – “Semper Reformanda, Semper Reformata” – always reformed, always reforming. We affirm a tradition in our theology, and further, our understanding and application is always to be responsive and adapt … without sacrificing the essentials of the Christian faith.

The danger is to define worship simply as what I have experienced, known … for the traditionalist. By that thinking, valid worship is what I grew up with and practiced. Thus, anything new added since the 50’s or 60’s, is suspect, unappealing. For the contemporary crowd, the danger is to invalidate any form over 20 years old, and to baptize/adopt whatever the cultural fads may be, without reflection or holding them up to Scriptural standards (which we often can’t agree upon).

So, where are we to turn in a conflict that typically generates more heat than light? Well … how about the Scriptures! And let’s do so without selectively plucking a few verses that confirm our personal preference. Those who like a tight, narrowly-conceived definition may be frustrated. There is nowhere a nice, neat definition of “worship,” although the Scripture is virtually soaked with the act of worship. The act ranges from quiet contemplation in the temple to lyre, drums, and dancing.

It is clear the focus is on God. Anthropologists confirm that worship is a universal urge in all cultures, hard-wired into the very fiber of our being. What we can’t seem to agree upon is to whom we give our worship: Yahweh, Allah, Buddha, the Hindu Panoply. But I suspect that the “god” most often focused upon is … our egos! The very word “worship” is derived from a contraction of two words, “worth” and “ship.” Thus, it is to recognize and honor that which is of greatest worth. Anything less … is idolatry. In Judeo-Christian belief, our egos are no longer front and center. God is … on that matter … end of discussion.

Further, Scripture would indicate worship is not limited to a particular time or place. Does that mean I can worship at the beach or on the golf course? Yes, of course. You can worship at the office, on the job, at the kitchen sink. It was said Ruth Graham had a sign over hers that read, “Divine service held here 3 times daily.” Anywhere; anytime. But here’s an important point. It can be individually done, but never exclusively done. Even Jesus went to the synagogue. It must include individually and corporately done. If worship is eternal, if it is modeled by Scripture, then no one gets a private room in heaven, or a private beach, or owns a private golf course on which you alone play – that would be pretty boring and lonely. Ultimately, we were created for relationship with God, who loved us and created us for His purpose and pleasure … and to enjoy each other.

Since the focus of our worship here and now is on God, then to leave worship murmuring, “We didn’t get anything out of worship today,” puts us in the role of a performance critic. It may say more about us than the service … most criticism does. Worship is for God … not to simply satisfy our tastes. Of course, some services are better than others. The well-traveled scenario of Sören Kierkegaard is a vivid reminder. We tend to think of the congregation as the audience, the preacher and choir as performers, and God as the backstage director. In truth, God is the audience, the preacher and choir the directors, and the congregation the performers. Instead of leaving a service mumbling that the preacher and choir were good, bad, or average, the congregation should leave casting an eye heavenward and saying, “How’d we do today?” Soli Deo Gloria – to God alone the glory.

Understood in its broadest and truest sense, worship is natural, necessary, focused on God, done together and apart, anywhere, anytime … it is a lifestyle … and a response to God’s invitation of a relationship. That topic is our next consideration.

One of the ways we describe God’s invitation of a relationship, and, by extension, imparting purpose, is the use of the word “call.” God calls to us in manifold ways. In Psalm 19 we read, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge … (and sadly) their voice is not heard.” God called to us in the law and the prophets. And then God called by sending His Word made Flesh in Jesus Christ. GOD CALLS.

We often hear people describe their journey as a search for God (usually by their own definition which, if you think about it, makes us the judge of God), when in reality, God is calling, in effect searching, for us. It’s a bit like covering one’s eyes and declaring, “I’m looking for God,” or “I seek God … on my terms.” The point is, God calls … calls Abraham, Moses, Jacob, prophets … Peter, James & John … Joseph, Mary … Tom and Jane, José, Maria, Kenyetta, Ichiro, Igor … all of us without distinction … but with distinctive roles and functions.

It becomes the basis for how worship is designed here … from the Call to Worship, to the Call to Confession, the Call to Prayer, to Offering, the Call in God’s Word, preached, sung, and prayed. Worship, indeed life, is known, practiced, and lived as response to a loving, creating, saving God. Without it … if there is no “calling,” I would suggest we are alone in this universe, to survive and live only for our own pleasure, with our own pain, but without the life-imparting purpose. It would be all about me.

So, in worship, we are called to notice, hear, and respond with praise and thanksgiving, offering ourselves, serving … to be transformed, as it were, becoming more human and more divine after the manner of Jesus Christ. We are entering that state of being fully alive, described by the Scriptures as “SHALOM.”

AMEN