Trinity of Woburn is a LITURGICAL church. Why do we adhere to the centuries old structure and language apart from the beauty of form and words? Because as humans when we come to the highest and to the deepest experiences in life, we reach for ceremony. Hebrews and Christians both worshipped corporately in a structured way. The Spirit of God is an architect of order. Consider creation, moral law, the early church. RITUAL refers to words in the liturgy.
We are familiar with hymns and psalms in worship. The psalms were the hymns of the early church and they help us to say what we cannot frame spontaneously by ourselves.
CEREMONY refers to the actions in liturgy. Kneeling, standing, processing and the priest's gestures and movements all carry significance. The liturgy is an enactment which proclaims the whole gospel of salvation. By whom and how does this liturgy unfold? Start with your entry Into the church. You pick up a copy of the church bulletin and order of worship and take your place in a pew.
The ORGAN PRELUDE serves as a transition between the clutter of the week and the hush of Sunday's worship. The service starts with the first organ tones and ends when the echo of the last note of the postlude fades in the church. The main idea goes back to beginnings when music was offered in praise to God. In the Old Testament we read cymbals and harps used in worship and praise.
CANDLES are lighted. Jesus is the light of the world and candle are an ancient sign of His presence in our worship. This lighting is done by ACOLYTES, usually young people in our congregation. This service is an opportunity for the future leaders of our church to become familiar and at home in the altar area.
The opening hymn signals the procession of CRUCIFER, CHOIR, LECTORS, LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, ACOLYTES AND CLERGY which moves the service to the Altar. Here, an ACOLYTE may serve as CRUCIFER and lead the procession. Spiritually, the congregation, singing the opening hymn are in procession with them and with the saints of all ages moving behind the cross.
The CHOIR is now situated in the chancel area and the same choir members are seated in the same place as they have for decades. Today at Trinity there are eleven voices of members who come each Sunday at 9:00 A.M. to rehearse music in praise to God; and to enable and encourage the congregation to join in this expression. There are also eleven members in our Junior Choir. The need is for more members, especially male voices, but any additions are welcome. Those who sing find a richness and joy in worship becoming part of the liturgy.
The liturgy begins here with the opening sentences, the collect KYRIE where we humbly beg, "Lord, have mercy". The GLORIA, when used, is a canticle of pure worship in the presence of the glory of God. Following the Collect for the day, a LECTOR or a LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER reads the Old Testament lesson. A somewhat recent enrichment is the prologue or illumination which states the main thought in the reading thus reinforcing the Bible language. Reading of the scripture derives from Hebrew worship. This part of the liturgy is available to interested members upon approval by the rector and vestry with notice to the Diocese. Liturgy teaches us to say, "Thanks be to God", because even though some prophets threaten and St. Paul makes demands, the lessons point the way. There are three lessons, the third', the GOSPEL being the high point. In festival seasons, there is a small procession of acolytes preceding the priest and carrying the cross and lighted candles. In some churches, incense is used. The congregation stands, the priest moves close to the people as Jesus did, speaking to his gathered followers from their midst. So we turn to face the Gospel. It is a moment of solemnity involving thought, word and affection. The SERMON enlarges upon the Gospel with instruction, consolation, explanation and direction. Following the CREED are the PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE which are presented by a Lay Eucharistic Minister who leads us in prayer as in the beginning of things we are commanded to do. The CONFESSION provides time for private recollection and then, a public and general act. The PEACE enacts our citizenship in the kingdom of Heaven involving whoever is - a lesson in sharing. In the OFFERTORY we offer thanks, adoration, ourselves, our substance bread and wine, common stuff of life.
The USHERS represent the rest of us in approaching the Altar with our offering. In the Old Testament, the Levites were privileged to stand for the people in these things. This act of gathering from the people their treasure and in preparing the chancel area for communion is shared by a few men and women. It would be encouraging to have more. The offering plate is received by a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Acolyte or Priest depending upon whether assisting lay persons are present. In the GREAT THANKSGIVING the priest elevates the offering and the choir joins with the brief hymn of pure, unmixed worship called the SANCTUS.
In the BREAKING OF BREAD the lay participation reaches its highest point as the Lay Eucharistic Minister is privileged to, “handle things unseen”; to be near this great mystery, the “Blood of Christ” the very heart of the Gospel. It is also the most sacred part of the Eucharist for those who come forward to receive and for those in the altar area to serve these gifts from God.
The flowers on the altar, the fresh white candles, the gleaming silver of Eucharistic vessels, the whiteness of the altar cloth, the care and placement of seasonal hangings are all arranged for by the ALTAR GUILD, a group of ladies whose efforts are a true offering of time and talent. So there are many parts of the liturgy inviting your assistance. If each of us would offer our time, talent and treasure, Trinity Church could become for its members, a cathedral. A list of things you might feel pleased to join in are: Choir Lector Lay Eucharistic Minister Usher Altar Guild Acolyte
