As one of the distinguishing features of Christianity, weekly worship creates a strong connection between people and God.  We gather to listen to the scriptures, pray with and for one another, sing songs of praise and adoration, celebrate our joys and share our sorrows, offer our gifts, and hear the Word in message and Spirit.  Our congregation enjoys a worship and music heritage rich in tradition and content.  But we in the U.C.C. maintain that "God Is Still Speaking."  And here at P.C.C. we have a near-universal yearning to attract younger people to membership.  So a couple of questions step forward, "What is God saying to us about worship?"  "How can we spread the Good News beyond our own comfortable ranks to a younger generation?"

        Some congregations have answered those questions by refusing to take any new path for themselves.  Their obituaries burden mainline church statistics.  Some congregations have shed their traditional moorings for contemporary praise bands and big screens.  Such reinventing inevitably leaves some members groaning in travail.  But there is a middle ground.

        Many congregations have thoughtfully and stubbornly sought paths for worship between the stayed traditional and the praise contemporary, bringing great success and renewed energy to the life of their congregations.  Without eliminating beloved traditional features of worship, it's possible to renew and update them. Without a contemporary takeover, it's possible to introduce modern elements that enhance worship.  Take for example, seasonally decorating the sanctuary.  These last two months we enjoyed the abundance of the earth's gardens as we celebrated Thanksgiving and the twinkling and merry-making of lights and greens throughout Advent and Christmas.  Many commented on the sparkling waters of our new crystal baptismal ewer and font.  And now we look forward.  What visual aids might heighten our worship for Lent and other seasons of the church?  A year ago we welcomed a new piano to the sanctuary, facilitating music that would have been difficult in years past.  Can you think of other ways to express worship through music (personally, I'm holding out for a Sharon and Christopher Rowe duet with flute and tuba)?  And what about art and drama, banners and screen imagery?

        To explore these and many more questions, and the many ways to make worship more inspiring to more people, our church will establish an active worship committee in 2008.^*   We seek enthusiastic people with gifts and skills for worship in the area of art, drama, music, crafts, writing, speaking, and organizing . . . . to mention just a few.  Give that some thought.  How might your gifts be used to celebrate God in worship?

        Blessings for your New Year,

Steven

*Recently, your Moderator and Pastor joined with two members of the Chancel Choir, the Diaconate Chair, and a member of the Pastor Relations Committee to brainstorm ideas for what such a Committee might look like.  Some great ideas emerged!