Another point for Pastor Brown's theory (theology vs worship-style as mentioned here and here).
Over my downtown visits last semester (for my dental works), I had passed by Trinity Episcopal Church. Looking at their bulletin board and flyers at their entrance, it was crystal-clear that these people are liberal, all-inclusive (there was one flyer mocking anti-gay demonstrators). Looking at their worship and values pages, makes it clear how they think about their mission and vision. To get a better understanding of worship at this liberal, gay-friendly church, I decided to visit them for Good Friday evening service.
Hope Lutheran Church is a moderate to liberal church with very lively services. Yet, what I observed there last year over their Good Friday evening service, as briefly described at the end of this post, was very solemn (and understandably so). But what I observed here at Trinity was so sober that made Hope's somber service look like entertainment in comparison. And this in a church that describes their music like this.
When I entered the church, there was near-total darkness. Apart from the local light for the choir to see their scores, all light in the sanctuary came from the candles at each station leading to the altar. And when each step concluded, its light would be put to death. The chorals were very simple, yet magnificent (though sounding mostly English, kinda majectic, not American).
And the prayers after some stations were very deep and thoughtful. And at times apologetic; for example, praying for the forgiveness of those who have persecuted others in the name of Jesus. And these all-inclusive gay-friendly people did not even forget George and (his) Supreme Court in their prayers. Well, underdstandable. After all, he was born Episcopal before turning Methodist and eventually declaring himself a born-again.
What was interesting to me was the symbolism (and their explanations in the bulletin). And the symbols were not just there for people to watch; it was an interacting service. For example, at the station 4 (scourging of Jesus), there was a big crown of thorns. After the recitations, it was moved around and people would lay hands on it. Or at station 8 (death of Jesus), there was a bowl containing vinegar and upon completion of the recitation, a minister carried it around and everybody would smell it in remembrance of the last moments of Jesus (and that vinegar-soaked sponge).
Well, this solemn Good Friday evening service may not be a good criterion to evaluate Pastor Brown's theory. I have to visit here again for a normal service to get a better understanding of their worship style, to enjoy the architecture in daylight and to have an interview with their female rector.
Over my downtown visits last semester (for my dental works), I had passed by Trinity Episcopal Church. Looking at their bulletin board and flyers at their entrance, it was crystal-clear that these people are liberal, all-inclusive (there was one flyer mocking anti-gay demonstrators). Looking at their worship and values pages, makes it clear how they think about their mission and vision. To get a better understanding of worship at this liberal, gay-friendly church, I decided to visit them for Good Friday evening service.
Hope Lutheran Church is a moderate to liberal church with very lively services. Yet, what I observed there last year over their Good Friday evening service, as briefly described at the end of this post, was very solemn (and understandably so). But what I observed here at Trinity was so sober that made Hope's somber service look like entertainment in comparison. And this in a church that describes their music like this.
When I entered the church, there was near-total darkness. Apart from the local light for the choir to see their scores, all light in the sanctuary came from the candles at each station leading to the altar. And when each step concluded, its light would be put to death. The chorals were very simple, yet magnificent (though sounding mostly English, kinda majectic, not American).
And the prayers after some stations were very deep and thoughtful. And at times apologetic; for example, praying for the forgiveness of those who have persecuted others in the name of Jesus. And these all-inclusive gay-friendly people did not even forget George and (his) Supreme Court in their prayers. Well, underdstandable. After all, he was born Episcopal before turning Methodist and eventually declaring himself a born-again.
What was interesting to me was the symbolism (and their explanations in the bulletin). And the symbols were not just there for people to watch; it was an interacting service. For example, at the station 4 (scourging of Jesus), there was a big crown of thorns. After the recitations, it was moved around and people would lay hands on it. Or at station 8 (death of Jesus), there was a bowl containing vinegar and upon completion of the recitation, a minister carried it around and everybody would smell it in remembrance of the last moments of Jesus (and that vinegar-soaked sponge).
Well, this solemn Good Friday evening service may not be a good criterion to evaluate Pastor Brown's theory. I have to visit here again for a normal service to get a better understanding of their worship style, to enjoy the architecture in daylight and to have an interview with their female rector.
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