Element of Worship

Liturgical Notes

Musical Notes

Congregation

The service begins as the leader/liturgist says something like:  "Long ago, the prophet Isaiah said to the people of Israel words that God now speaks to us:  'Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn' (Is. 60:1,3). -- People of God, Arise!  Shine!  Sing!  For now is the time to worship!" 

While the leader is speaking, the band can be softly playing an introduction to the opening song.

Come, Now is the Time to Worship (MSfP&W2 # 56).  Key of D.  A muted right hand strum on an acoustic guitar provides the rhythms that drive this song, a persistent invitation to worship. A synth can provide sustained chords underneath during the subdued first section, and then let everyone loose at "One day every tongue will confess."  Bring it back to a quiet intensity as you repeatedly sing the concluding request: "come."

Adoration

Liturgist/leader prays something like:  "Everlasting God of light, before your presence angels veil their faces.  But you show us the brightness of your love in your Son, Jesus.  We pray that you will show yourself to all nations, and fill the world with your glory; though him who is the true light and the bright morning star, Jesus Christ.  In his name we pray, Amen.

Silence during the reading is appropriate.  But if you wish a transition from D, have the guitar play a Bm7, then A.  Go back and forth between those two chords under the prayer.  Come out of the prayer with Bm7, E7sus, E7, and then into the introduction to.

Shine, Jesus, Shine. (SNC #128)  Key of A.  This contagious contemporary hymn should be sung with liveliness.  Clap your hands, enjoy the syncopation, sing as an enthusiastic prayer.

[For congregations who find Shine, Jesus Shine too familiar, another good possibility is the Michael W. Smith tune, Shine on Us (More Songs forP&W, #19). Key of D, 1 step up from written music.  Also an enthusiastic prayer, play brightly with a steady, driving bass.  Subdivide the accompaniment to support the long held notes of the melody.]

If you prefer seamless transitions, hold the A final chord (A), add the seventh, and then move on, playing the next few songs in the key of D (1/2 step from written music).  But it's also fine to let the last tones of the A chord ring on the guitar and then have the keyboard initiate the last line of the next song. Beautiful Savior (PsH #461) in the more distant key of Eb.  Sing this beloved favorite with full-throated adoration.  Let the second verse go unaccompanied, and then gradually add instruments (no percussion except cymbal swells) through the 3rd verse.  Broaden the tempo slightly in the fourth. 

Confession

Before the last measure of the 2nd verse's refrain is done, the leader/liturgist begins praying aloud something like this: "Almighty God, you sent Jesus among us to be light of the world.  But we confess that because of our sin we don't often reflect that light - we sometimes don't even see it.  We are dim reflections in this dark world, where we ought to shine like stars.   We do not . and we too often. (specific prayers of confession).  In your mercy, forgive us.  Let your light live in us that we may show forth your glory, we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.  

Without slowing down, play the refrain once through for the song of confession, Shine on Me (SNC #51). Key of Eb.  Though it has a pleading tone, sing this prayer - especially the refrain -- with confidence in God's mercy.   Sing the refrain, 1st verse, refrain, 2nd verse, and the refrain again.  Band continues playing the verse underneath the spoken prayer.

As the prayer concludes, band (or just piano) plays last line of refrain to cue congregation to begin singing 3rd verse when prayer is finished.  Sing verse 3 and refrain.   

Reconciliation

Leader/liturgist says something like:  "Jesus said: I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.  (John 8:12).  Friends, believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! 

A sustained keyboard can play gently in same key underneath the leader's words.

 Silence is also fitting.

Celebration

I Am the Light of the World (Gather Comprehensive #510). Key of Eb (1/2 step down from written music).  Sing this scriptural song warmly and gently.  Have soloists sing the refrain one time through before inviting the congregation to join in.  Soloists may also sing all the verses, with the congregation joining only on the refrain. 

[Another great song to sing here is The Lord is My Saving Light, an upbeat gospel-style setting of Ps. 27.  It's only available as a choir folio (from GIA, #3483.)  Key of Eb.]

Preparation

As the song concludes, have a solo instrument, very freely and without accompaniment, play the last phrase ("and a lamp unto my path") of the refrain of Thy Word (SNC # 86).  Key of Eb.  Then have the congregation join in singing this prayer for illumination.  Sing twice through very slowly. 

Proclamation

Phil. 2:12-18

Sermon: Luminescence
Outline
Introduction:  story about trying to be "great"
1.  "Work out your own salvation"
 -- it's hard work living a godly life
 -- not works righteousness: work out salvation, not for salvation
-- It's God working in us
2.  Work out. with fear and trembling
 -- not lest we lose it, but.
 -- lest we dishonor it, not do it justice
 -- we are to be witnesses, lights
3.  Luminescence not our own
 -- illustration: kiddie stars on ceiling
 -- Hold fast to the Word = dwelling in the light
 -- Our calling is to be like those saints who glow with Glory of God (Eastern Orthodox tradition).

Allow the sermon to conclude with a moment or two of silence, announced by the preacher.

When the silence concludes (maybe 1 minute or so), have a solo instrument play, very slowly, without other accompaniment, one time through This Little Light of Mine (Gather Comprehensive #513) in the key of C.  This is a time for meditation and prayer.  The congregation won't sing the song - not yet anyway.   

Dedication

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (SNC #77). Key of C.  The keyboard and singers should lead on this childlike song of dedication.  Let the adoration of the first three lines of the refrain soar before taking a small breath and praying the last line earnestly: "Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus." 

Intercession

Leader/liturgist offers prayers of intercession for the church and the world.  Make use of light imagery as much as possible without being cloying. You may wish to use or adapt the prayer and sung refrain printed at SNC #206.

The Lord is My Light (SNC #206).  Key of F.  Sing with assurance.  If you continue music underneath the spoken prayer, repeat the following progression:  Dm, Dm7/C, BbM7, Csus4, C.  Go to a C7 to cue the congregation to sing the refrain again. 

Dedication

Leader/liturgist says something like:  "God calls us to live in his light - and more than that, to be light to the world.  'Let your light shine before others,' Jesus says, 'so that others may see and give glory to God.' Let's commit ourselves now to live lives that glow with God's love: lives of justice, of tender love, of service to one another, of walking humbly with God.  Let's offer our gifts to God.

If the band plays anything under the prayer, it should be an unobtrusive transition into the key of G:  F, walk the bass down to D (through Eb), Dsus, D7, then G.  Then.

. while the leader is speaking, the band can play once through the refrain as an introduction to We Are Called (Gather Comprehensive, #718).  Key of G (one step below printed music).  This is an energetic song of dedication.  Play in a moderate gospel groove, paying special attention to the triplets throughout.  Snap the cut offs, leaving the congregation, bass, and percussion alone to punch each "we are" of the refrain. 

This Little Light of Mine.  Key of G.  The desire to sing this most obvious of "light-themed" songs now gets satisfaction.  Sing this spiritual as playfully and jubilantly as possible.

Benediction

Leader/liturgist says a benediction like: "Congregational constellation, hear now the blessing of God:  'The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen.' "

As the leader concludes, the band reprises This Little Light.