I have been introducing some change into our standard order of service during worship the last few weeks.  There are more to come.  Here’s the theory behind what I’ve been doing.

            I think of the order of worship elements (called the “liturgy”) as being properly arranged in the same way that you would organize a dinner party.  There are five sections, or “movements”.

            The first is to mark off our sacred space and time as different from the rest of the week.  In worship that means a call to worship, singing together, lighting the chalice.  If you were throwing a dinner party you would clean the house, adjust the lighting, arrange flowers, and listen for the doorbell.

            The next movement is to welcome your guests.  Think of worship as a dinner party where there is one particular special guest, like a wise elder.  The special guest of Unitarian Universalist worship might be our seven principles, or the theme of worship for that day.  So early in worship we welcome our guests, and then invoke the special guest, or introduce the theme through opening words and the time for all ages.

            The party really begins with the host giving the guests something to drink and some nibbles.  You honor your special guest with the best armchair.  The spiritual rule is that you give before you receive.  The giving section of worship includes the offering and the anthem, which is a musical offering.

            Next, your guests repay your hospitality by giving you great conversation, wise opinions and telling funny stories.  Your guests share themselves with you.  In worship we meditate and pray (receiving peace and spiritual comfort), and hear a sermon (receiving insight and challenge, a call to action).

            The final section of worship, or a dinner party, is to close the space, say goodbye.  We sing a closing hymn.  We hear some closing words.  We let the postlude gently return us to the world.