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Today’s post is from\u00a0Renee Hermanson, Worship Committee member at\u00a0St. Mark’s Lutheran in Aurora, CO.<\/i><\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2017\/03\/ReneesChurch-1-222x300.jpg\")
The soaring arches in the large sanctuary of St. Mark\u2019s Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colorado, reach high above the long rows of pews to focus on the chancel\u2019s wide stone altar and brilliant stained glass window. Such elegance seems out of place in the surrounding neighborhood of modest tract homes and the nearby mini-mall, all showing their age.\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n
The population of this congregation, like many across the country, is also showing its age, as younger members move away or change churches, and older ones slow down and retire from active participation, then move to care centers or leave this life. The still active and able members give selflessly to help the congregation serve those whom Jesus loves and welcomes. Through providing spaces for AA meetings, offering once-a-week Food Bank distribution, serving a free\u00a0Wednesday<\/span><\/span>\u00a0night supper and hosting special events for the neighborhood, St. Mark\u2019s imposing building has become a symbol of service and welcome where people have found hope and belonging in a neighborhood that is\u00a0home for\u00a0several immigrant communities as well as people experiencing homelessness.<\/u><\/p>\n This outreach has brought a more diverse group of people into the congregation. For some, \u2014perhaps most \u2014of those who have become a part of the St. Mark\u2019s family, the whole church culture is an entirely new experience. For others, who come from a different branch of Christianity, the message is familiar, but the form of worship is not. These people follow along as best they can, but they may wonder why we sing so many prayers a To help these people \u2014and others as well\u2014the St. Mark\u2019s worship committee decided to provide some Lessons in Lutheranism in two places \u2014 the\u00a0Sunday<\/span><\/span>\u00a0bulletin and the monthly newsletter. Each week the\u00a0Hymn Notes<\/i>\u00a0item in the bulletin provides both a \u201cwhat\u201d in a short history of one of the hymns and a \u201cwhy\u201d that shows its relationship to the day\u2019s text and\/or the Liturgical Calendar. The\u00a0Worship Matters<\/i>\u00a0column that appears each month in\u00a0The Messenger<\/i>\u00a0describes and explains the \u201cwhat’s” and \u201cwhys\u201d of the liturgical seasons, symbols, and practices of worship.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n The response has been positive, as much from the established members as from newer ones. The articles are researched and written by a member of the committee, but could be done by another member or the pastor. Aside from having a general understanding of Lutheran doctrine and practice, the only requisite is a few hours a month to research and write the short items. A wealth of information can be found in books and articles on Christian\/Lutheran symbols, festivals and traditions found in most church libraries, and on the Internet \u2014on the ELCA Worship committee and hymn history sites.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n As we enter into this observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this kind of review and education might help any congregation enrich its worship experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today’s post is from\u00a0Renee Hermanson, Worship Committee member at\u00a0St. Mark’s Lutheran in Aurora, CO. The soaring arches in the large sanctuary of St. Mark\u2019s Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colorado, reach high above the long rows of pews to focus on the chancel\u2019s wide stone altar and brilliant stained glass window. Such elegance seems […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":241,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2017\/03\/WorshipMatters-300x192.jpg\")
nd those hard-to-sing hymns.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/60\/2017\/03\/ReneesChurchSining-1-1024x519.jpg\")
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