Naomi's Notes - March 11, 2009
When I was thirteen, my dad pastored a mission church in Grand Island, NY, where our small congregation met in a funeral chapel. Funerals normally are not scheduled on Sundays and Wednesday evenings, so we enjoyed using the nice “sanctuary” with carpet, padded chairs, pulpit, and organ, plus a basement for Sunday School and activities.
My memories from that time include the Lehman family--John, Edyth, and their three young children--members of the congregation who were refugees from the German occupation. Originally from Budapest, Hungary, they were a very musical family.
Now settled in America, they rarely spoke of their earlier war experiences, but when asked directly, the stories they told were fascinating. Apparently, German soldiers knocked on their door, and their entire family was given twenty minutes to gather all the photos and memorabilia—including a treasured family Bible--they could carry before they were all carted off to concentration camps. John’s sister was sent to Siberia; Edyth and John ended up in neighboring camps elsewhere. I remember their “love story” about how they surreptitiously met at the fence separating their compounds, signaling each other by whistling Hungarian tunes.
One of my memories of the Lehman family is their rather unusual worship practice. No matter how late they arrived for worship services, the first thing they all did upon entering—even if the congregation was standing and singing—was to sit for a moment and bow their heads in a silent prayer of gratitude before participating in the rest of the worship service.
Perhaps in our congregation you’ve noticed Samuel Nfor bowing for a moment of prayer as he enters the sanctuary each Sunday. Every time I see that, I think of the Lehman family from my childhood.
Recently, I asked Samuel about this practice. He told me that it is common in Cameroon, his native country. He added that he sits and acknowledges God’s presence in the sanctuary, asking for blessing upon the worship leaders and congregation during the service, inviting God to speak to each person’s heart.
Last year, I attended an Episcopal service in Lexington. As each worship leader—clergy and laity—approached the rostrum they first bowed slightly before a large, central cross.
What wonderful "attitudes of worship" these are--to physically and emotionally acknowledge that God is present as the honored guest during worship services.
Sometimes a church's desire to be known as a "friendly, happy, upbeat" congregation can be taken too far, resulting in a loss of focus on God during worship. When more attention is given to distractions such as having running conversations with each other rather than communing with God--the honored guest, the reason why we're gathered--a congregation risks being perceived as more of a nice club than a worshiping, loving, serving church. When others observe our "attitude of worship" each week, what do they see?
"You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Savior, Sustainer.
You are worthy...of worship and praise."
See you in worship this Sunday -
Naomi