Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Liturgy in Reverse?


At Paihia last Sunday the liturgy moved backwards. After we lit our third Advent candle, we were brought sharply up against the realities of people's pain in a harsh and unforgiving world by the the intercessory prayers and a short video highlighting the needs of women in Sri Lanka.

Using three agapanthus flowers in leaf and bud, Lesley reminded us of the two themes of Advent so far. The third stage, a full flower head, illustrated Sunday's theme and began to move us from a sense of doom and failure to feelings of joy.

We laughed as she confessed how she obtained the much-needed full head from a public garden on the way to church. We were inspired as she invited us to share experiences that bring us joy. And we were moved as she engaged us in guided meditation for confession. A robust declaration of forgiveness was a climax to the liturgy, then gladly and with spirit we sang "Joy to the World" before being dismissed.

The unaccustomed order of the litugry was a surprise but Lesley explained it specifically, presented it smoothly, developed it with skill and carried us along with her. For a relatively new worship leader in our LSM congregation, Lesley lifted us to the heights.

Note: Agapanthus = "Flower of Love"

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