For those of you who want to do worship and fellowship in your own living room, here’s what we do (feel free to improvise and/or rip me off; I’m just stealing ideas from the early church, Robert Webber, my friend Cory and the book of Acts):
- About 6 p.m., people begin to show up.
- About 6:30, most have shown up (this is Bolivia. Late is early. We expats are not above taking on this mighty fine attitude).
- 6:30-7:0something, people eat and chat. More people keep showing up.
- 7:05ish, I play the call to worship, usually a majestic hymn (I’ve done things like “All Creatures of Our God and King” and, just last night, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”).
- 7:10, we welcome everyone and tell people the gist for the evening (there are variations based on the Church Year Season. Last night was sort of inspired by Lenten prayer services).
- After that, we sing an opening acclamation (it’s liturgy, but since it’s sung, no one seems hindered by it!). I like to use the “Sanctus”, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might…” I’m partial to the one by Peter Scholtes. The “Hosannas” shake the roof!
- My wife will then open us with an appropriate prayer she found in a book of really great Christian prayers she has.
- This is followed by songs of praise (last night was “Ancient of Days” and “We Exalt Thee”).
- By this time, it’s about 7:20 and we read a psalm. Last night, it was psalm 103, and each person took a verse (sometimes it’s one person).
- In response, we sang “Be Unto Your Name” by Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler.
- Afterward was a Gospel reading. Tonight being about prayer, we read Jesus teaching about asking/seeking/knocking and God giving good things to those who ask. We responded with “He Knows My Name” by the amazing Tommy Walker.
- Finally, other people read from some epistles about prayer, and we ended with “The Word of the Lord”, the people responding “Thanks be to God”. A touch of liturgy without overwhelming the non-liturgical friends in the group.
- (Here, I’ll interject that using the Word as worship is just awesome, and I think too many people forget that just publicly reading His Words, we are drawn to worship Him more deeply).
- This was followed by a time of reflection on the Word, letting people’s thoughts about the passages be the collective “sermon” (took that right from Robert Webber’s writings about 2nd century worship services). This was our first go at that part of the evening, and so people were reticent. However, two people did comment, so that was nice.
- Here, the evening changed direction and I open it up for “Bring Your Own Worship” (I used to call it “Stump the Band”). Folks come knowing they can ask for a song to be sung. We sing a few songs (including ones requested by the kids). This even led to more spontaneous reading of Scripture by one of the guys. It’s always a nice break in the evening, but still worshipful.
- After this, the kids are dismissed to play quietly (note: the kids usually stay. Worship is caught, not taught) and folks go off in small groups of 4 or 5 people in different rooms in the house (Christmas was the only time we didn’t do this part).
- They are given suggestions for discussion and prayer in their groups. It’s a great chance to build deeper relationships (especially since people tend to go with the same folks every month). Usually we suggest questions like:
- How have you seen God work in your life?
- How have you responded/failed to respond to His call?
- What are you struggling with?
- When have you felt closest to Christ this month? (You may see some influence from Emmaus/Cursillo/Kairos reunion groups. You are not imagining things)
Last night, in keeping with the focus on prayer, I gave them a prayer/discussion guide based on the Lord’s Prayer.
- After folks share and pray for 20-30 minutes, I sneak out of my group (as “Amen” is said) and sing a “song of returning”, usually a’capella. Last night it was “O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”. It was cool how it went from being a solo sung by me under conversations of returning worshipers to ending as a powerful anthem of thanks to God for a precious time in prayer.
- Announcements are made about dessert (MUST. HAVE. DESSERT. Even at Lent!) and future Community Group meetings.
- We end with joyous singing of praise. Last night it was (what else?) “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!” and (by my wife’s request) “At the Foot of the Cross”.
- Dessert is had. People stay and chat for as long as the hosts can stand it!
As I said. Good food. Simple worship. Authentic fellowship. It will rock your church’s world.
