One comment I heard several times from the various commentators who were part of the broadcast of the recent state funeral. One after another they kept being amazed at the silence of the assembled hundreds (thousands?) of mourners. There they sat on the grass in front of the big screens that enabled them to share what was happening inside, yet still in the midst of the big city. And they were absolutely silent.
I'm still thinking about this silence. What is it? What is happening? Why are Evan and Ann Marie and Lloyd and Peter so amazed by it?
While you think about that I have a couple of excellent links to share with you. I've been exploring this new website that appears to be just chock-a-block full of good helps and resources for all you preachers, teachers, worship planners out there. Have a look at it.
One of the excellent articles I found there, under the worship tab, is this essay about silence--what it is, why it is so important to our connecting with God, how to plan for it and incorporate it into our worship.
I'll not say more today, but leave you a little bit of extra time, either to just be silent, or to make those links and put them into your Favourites List.
Posted by Marion
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How can one get the same silence prior to a worship service? Far too many Sundays the preworship music can barely be heard over the cacophony of chatterers, catching up with a weeks worth of visiting. When an approach has been taken to enter the sanctuary quietly, some have given the impression of being annoyed that they have been asked to respect silence. On some occasions I have wanted to remove myself from the sanctuary to find peace and silence
ReplyDeleteWe were at the funeral, inside the hall in fact, and the silence was even more profound in person. In the midst of those moments of silence I felt moved inside, to the point of shedding a tear or two, simply because I was able to connect with my heart, which would take over and speak to my soul, the human being inside the flesh and bone that is our bodies. It was truly amazing to witness the effects of that silence on the large crowd, and how incredibly it transformed everyone as they drew upon that energy, which changed into a deep rooted passion, erupting in bursting rounds of voracious applause, which created it's own, yet different energy. Then the cycle would begin again. I wasn't sure what was more inspiring - the silence itself, or the breaking of the silence. Either way, the silence was integral, and necessary.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I do agree. I've experienced this frustration myself. But I refer you again to the article that reminds me that "silence" is one of those counter-cultural things we need to learn, both as individuals and as a worshiping community.
ReplyDeleteAnd Troy, thanks for reminding us too that when it is experienced in an authentic way, it is very, very worthwhile.
Thank you from Maryland! I am struggling with a sermon, and these links were just what I was looking for.
ReplyDeleteAs for silence--I am struggling to find a way to make it more a part of my life. I spent eight years commuting, and it was my quiet time. I miss it since I am no longer making that commute.
Great points. Thank you.
And thank YOU for dropping by. I'm glad the links are helpful.I wish you well in finding that critical quiet, and with the sermon!
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