I am happy to say that, this year, I had the most wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving holiday I have ever had. On Sunday, November 19, I was received into membership at First Congregational Church (FCC), a historic structure in the south Park blocks of downtown Portland. As an "Open & Affirming" (O&A) body of believers, FCC states:

"Whoever you are, whatever household of faith into which you were born, whatever creed you profess, whatever your race, sexual orientation, or gender identity you are welcome in this place..." - *

Truly, a place where "inclusivity" is practiced.

Quoting from the Sunday (11/19/06) FCC bulletin:

"The earliest Pilgrims and Puritans were known in New England as 'people of the Congregational Way.'...

"The Pilgrims, who sailed to America in 1620, had revolted against the state church in England. ... These English Separatists rejected the tyrannical institution of the clergy with its orders of priests, bishops and archbishops. They did not accept 'written prayers' and dismissed the Prayer Book.(They did not use the Lord's Prayer). They were a democratic group....and they came together around a Covenant of Fellowship. ...

"The Puritans had wanted to purify the Church of England but not leave it. ... They were not Episcopalians. They were non-conformists....

"The Pilgrims...produced a very austere kind of atmosphere which matched their theology. ..." - *

The following quotes are excerpts from parts of the 11/19/06 FCC bulletin - the Order of Worship - Honoring the Pilgrims - describing Pilgrim worhip practices in their early beginnings:

PROCESSION TO WORSHIP; "...the call to church was given on a couch shell or by a drummer. A procession of worshippers to the church was common, as a means of protection. The meeting house had no heat. Foot stoves were brought to the services which often lasted three or four hours. Ministers preached in overcoats and wore mittens.

"Men and boys were seated on the right side of the meeting room, facing front, women and girls on the left. No choir or organist was needed. A tything man roamed the aisles with a tything pole during the service to keep people awake and attentive. The long pole had a brass knocker on one end to rap any sleeping men, and a feather on the other to end or gently persuade the women to awake. No one was allowed to leave early!" - *

INVOCATION: "The Pilgrims stood as the service opened with a prayer invoking God's presence. The prayer was at least 15 minutes long. Kneeling was not allowed because it was considered an 'idolatrous Roman practice."" - *

SERMON: "...Sermons frequently lasted for two to three hours. The minister had an hour glass on the pulpit which was turned as the sands of the full hour ran out. The sermon was then followed by a time of questions and answers...." - *

THE PRAYERS FOR THE DAY: "During the long prayers, usually an hour or longer, people would write down the names of persons or issues for prayer, pass them to an usher, and they would be carried to the minister. People could and did say 'Amen' to portions of prayers with which they heartiy agreed...." - *

THE OFFERING: "At the time of the offering, a deacon rose and said, 'Brethren of the congregation, now there is time left for contribution; wherefore as God has prospered you, so freely offer.' The head of each family then walked forward and placed offerings on the Communion Table...." - *

And, during the OPENING HYMN part of the FCC bulletin, it states: "The Pilgrims believed that the use of instruments in worship was the work of the devil. The 'devil's bagpipes,' as organs were referred to, were shunned until 1713, when the first organ was installed in a Boston meeting house. Instead, only the voice was used to sing psalms...." - *

And, during the POSTLUDE part of the FCC bulletin, folk are admonished: "Please be seated for the playing of the devil's bagpipes...." - *

It is fascinating how beliefs, customs, traditions, and orders of worship change from generation to generation.

A few years back, Portland Foursquare Church (P4) switched from the traditional form of music in worship, to a "contemporary" form. The organ is no longer used. Music is now provided by a piano, drums, guitars, bongo drums, horns, etc." Hymnals are replaced with the words placed on an overhead screen. A robed choir has been replaced by a small group of men and women called a "worship team." Seldom are traditional hymns sung. Consequently, many folk left P4 because of this. A high school classmate of mine, who, along with her husband, has been a member of P4 since 1959, complained: "The music sounds like something in a 'dive.'" And the couple will not stand and sing along during this part of the worship service.

And, my friend Bob no longer remains (after Sunday School) for the morning worship service at P4. He heads on out to Hinson Memorial (Conservative) Baptist Church where they engage in traditional forms of worship. Interestingly enough, First (American) Baptist Church (FBC), a historic downtown Portland structure, has two services come Sunday. Their 9 am service is "contemporary" whereas their 11 am service is "traditional". (P4 only has one worship service). Referring to P4, Bob often says: "This church [P4] is going down hill, what with all that guitar strumming..."

As soon as I read the Pilgrims' description of organ music as "the devil's bagpipes" I called Bob to tell him that what he considers proper worship today would be considered "of the devil" by the Pilgrims. I said to Bob: "If the Pilgrims observed the contemporary music in many churches today -- and the "Rock Gospel" concerts on global Christian television, they would not only "roll over in their graves", they would rise up OUT of their places of rest to picket churches, protesting these "works of the devil".

While the Pilgrims considered instruments of music in worship "works of the devil", the Scriptures disagree. "O clap your handss, all ye people, shout unto God with the voice of triumph...Sing praises to God, sing praises..." (Psalms 47: 1 & 6) And again: "Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God." (Psalms 147: 7) And: "Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints....Let them praise His name in the dance; let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp..." (Psalms 149: 1 & 3) And again: "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and harp, Praise Him with the trimbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and ORGANS. Praise Him with the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." (Psalms 150: 3-6). (emphasis added)

Of course, all forms of prayer and worship -- whether quiet or noisy -- are Biblical. God gives us the freedom to worship in whatever form we are best able to express God's solemn greatness and goodness. THE INFINITE CANNOT BE CONFINED TO THE FINITE. HALLELUJAH!

And that organ in your church does NOT belong to the devil.

Quoting the late Bob Benson:

"...if we come to 'share in the very being of God' we are going to begin to sense... that God is Life and that this Life is everywhere. It is in the music and the heartbeat and the pulse and throb of the world God made." - **

* - From Sunday, November 19, 2006 church bulletin of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Portland, Oregon.

** - From COME SHARE THE BEING by Bob Benson, 1974, Impact Books . Quoted with "inclusive language."

Sunday, November 26, 2006

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