Ilocano sermon manuscript9/9/2023 When it comes time for the preacher to preach, all too often the congregation sits down, kicks their proverbial feet up (pews don’t recline, last I checked) and considers their job finished. But still, there might be a problem in Zion. The prayers might be liturgically involved, and the congregation might pray together in small groups or pray along during the corporate gathering. The music might be brought by Bitter Blue Betty on the organ and a choir might sing along, and a spirit-filled congregation might sing along with the arias and refrains of Isaac Watts (who I’m pretty sure is the Hymnist Emeritus of the Cherubim in Heaven). Such is the evangelical church in America, exceptions notwithstanding.īut even in churches where that big-box chicanery is not the norm, there’s something a tad off when it comes to congregation participation. And then, a guy gets up to talk about how your life can be better if you would do such-and-such and figure out your purpose. Little sermonettes are given between songs while instruments are changed and sheet music arranged, explaining why this song means what it means or why it was written and how much the CDs are in the back. Some guy strums a guitar while one of the worship back-up girls steps forward to pray a prayer with the words “Father God” said fifty-five times. A highly choreographed worship band sings us songs while some poor Quasimodo operates the light show from the rafters, and we stand lip syncing the words with maybe a little volume coming out during the choruses. In today’s church, too often have we viewed worship services as a spectator’s pastime. As you saunter into church this Lord’s Day, please do not view yourself as a passive participant in God’s worship just because you are a passive recipient of God’s grace.
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