Well, brothers and sisters, you did it. You managed to pray and praise your way through a sung Eucharist and the Great Litany. Excellent work in the processing, all. And a special thank you to Rev. Dave Hedges for his assistance. I thought it went well.
But I want to know what you all thought.
What did you think of the Great Litany? The language? The processing? The chanting? The bells?
What did you think of processing in general?
Regarding the Eucharist, what was it like to sing so much of it, or to hear the prayers chanted? I am curious how it was for those who are unfamiliar with the practice.
What element from the liturgy would you like to see make another appearance?
What would you rather not see again?
Anything riding the fence for you?
Let us know. Comment away!
this baptist enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletemaybe we could add some smells sometime.
it was a nice thing for a special sunday. i would prefer we keep the sung eucharist for special occasions, but i did not mind the processing at all, i thought it was a good way get myself focused on worship.
my too sents
I think the procession was great; the litany was long, but not too long for a special sunday, like the beginning of a liturgical season.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Justin that perhaps an entirely sung Eucharist should be for feasts, but personally, I think certain elements of the Eucharist should always be sung, for example the Great Thanksgiving, the Sanctus, and the "Fraction Anthem," be it the Agnus Dei or some other text. The presider, I guess, would be the only person singing the rest of the Eucharist, but perhaps that kind of thing can be reserved for a special Sunday. It depends what others thought.
A briefer procession and perhaps a briefer litany (surely a shorter one can be found or written specifically for Reconciler) might be a good way to begin all Reconciler services, saving the Great Litany, say, for Advent and Lent?
I second the Justin's notion of smells. I'd donate the censer, the charcoal, and the incense!
Your wariness is understood; a swinging censer especially leads to the "theatricality" of liturgy.
ReplyDeleteIf Reconciler were to use incense during worship occasionally, my thought was that a standing censer would work best, considering the intimacy of both the congregation and the space.
It's not as cumbersome as a swinging censer, but does the job just as well, especially for small spaces.
At Immanuel we've thought about incense for the feast of Epiphany in particular, since the Magi's gifts were frankincense and myrrh.
I'm for incense all the time, but it's not everybody's cup of tea.
I love incense, too! Definitely, at least, on feast days or other special services.
ReplyDeleteI like both the procession and the vestments. As cantor last week, I didn't *quite* know what I was doing last week -- I'm so sorry I had to miss the week before! -- but in time I know that it will become better and better.
Other questions:
1. How is the donation of the bread and wine set up? Are there any guidelines of what kind of bread or wine to bring? Who brings them and when? I have some ideas, but I first want to know your thoughts, and how you've organized it, etc.
2. I love the altar call, and I love to sing -- but it's hard to sing the table hymn and go to the altar at the same time. During the altar call, might we try . . .
a) a looooong hymn, one with so many stanzas that one would have time to go up and come back
b) a responsorial hymn, with verses and a (usually very simple) refrain. The verses could be sung by either a cantor or by everyone, and we could sing as many verses as needed.
c) an instrumental meditation
d) more than hymn or meditation or combination thereof
Good stuff, gang.
ReplyDeleteEmily, you are not the first to make such suggestions regarding the communion hymn. Let's puzzle this out some more...I think it could lead somewhere very interesting.
As for bread and wine donation, nothing very specific: A white bread role (due to our size), and a red wine.
ReplyDeleteAs for who brings it, up and until recently Tripp or I (Larry) have purchased the bread or wine with church funds. This fall we have tried to have people sign up to bring bread and wine. People have done well in bringing wine (a bottle of wine lasts about a month for us) getting people to bring bread each week has happened less often since we put out the sign up sheets.
So what are your ideas?
Thanks for your thoughts.
I thought that singing the liturgy was great...kinda long and new for me, but very cool. It's a good idea for special services...but not an every week thing in my opinion. I agree with those that have suggested burning some good smells for such services (but actually I would like some smells at any and all services.)
ReplyDelete