Rhythm in music is the use of patterns that shape sound in a song and frame the way the content of the song is experienced. Rhythm in life is the use of patterns to shape who we are and what we become. The practices that we return to daily, weekly, annually, are rhythms that play a significant role in forming who we are spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.
Many rhythms of life have been disrupted by COVID-19. It is wise to grieve the disruption, and it is wise to examine the rhythms and practices that have been disrupted in order to find the best way to be enriched by them even in this time.
In that spirit, we hope that a brief examination of the rhythm of corporate worship will help us find a new rhythm in the time of COVID.
At Faith, there are three primary elements that comprise our corporate worship services, elements that we believe are better when done together. These elements are singing together, hearing God’s Word and responding to the Gospel of Jesus. Before we proceed, we want to make clear that we are not saying, “Now is the time for everyone to return to church, in person, as we did before COVID.” There are many reasons people are not able to return right now. This blog is intended to examine the rhythm of gathering together for worship, to help you grieve what has been lost and to help you discover the most ideal way for corporate worship in this season.
Singing Together
Whether you attend the Traditional Service or Modern Service, the first thing that you’ll encounter is an invitation to sing. In just about every Christian tradition, you will find singing because the Bible is filled with singing. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s people singing to remember who God is, singing to thank God for what he has done, singing to encourage each other as a community, and more. We, also, are encouraged to join in that singing. Not only does music connect the heart and mind in a way that few other disciplines can, but it connects people in a way that few other things can do. It gives us a moving melody and harmonies that are sung in time, coordinated across hundreds of bodies. Think of reading a sentence or two with other people and the struggle to keep time. Add a beat and a melody, and now there’s not only some added beauty, but there is a sense of unity and synchronicity that can’t be found in most other activities. But music also connects us to the generations of our faith that went before us. They sang, and the Christians before them sang, and so on. And sometimes we even sing the same songs that they sang! In a world that changes at breakneck speed, one of the anchors we have in our faith is the practice of singing together!
Hearing God’s Word
Since the Church’s inception, hearing God’s Word preached has been a cornerstone of corporate worship. Preaching is the moment among the assembled church when God speaks most clearly. In a world where there are so many voices and in a world where so many people feel a need to be heard, preaching is a half hour moment each week when the people of God collectively close their mouths, open their ears and hear God speak to them from his Word.
Responding to the Gospel
Corporate worship at Faith also includes moments to respond together to the gospel of Jesus. We do this through giving, praying, singing and experiencing the sacraments of baptism and communion. We can do these things in a Zoom meeting or in an online service, but there is something special about responding with our church family physically present.
Because of COVID many of us have had to switch to an online-only corporate worship experience – a new rhythm and pattern. We watch church on a screen, we sing on our couch, and we give online. This isn’t ideal for everyone but here’s one thing we want to affirm: there is still immense value in weekly gathering online. We can still be taught, fed, encouraged, and inspired by the ministry of our church. However frustrating this season has been on so many fronts, we know that God has enriched it through continuing our rhythm of corporate worship.
Additionally, this new season of online church has brought some novelty to the rhythm of corporate worship. Many people talk about the fun of going to church in their pj’s and about the convenience of having church at any time they choose. Yet for all this, we can’t wait for the day when the rhythm of corporate worship includes people being gathered together in real time and in person.
We will continue to work to make our online worship service engaging, all the while praying for God to work a miracle so that we can all be together again soon. Whether you attend church in person or attend church online during this season, we hope that you are able to feel a part of Faith’s corporate worship.
Charlie Sandberg is a Colorado transplant from Minnesota who enjoys writing, reading, running and spending time with his family. He is the teaching pastor at Faith and has been a member for 13 years. He loves helping people know and love Jesus by teaching the Bible.
Dan Pahlau has been on staff at Faith for nine years. He serves as our Worship Ministries Director, coordinating and leading all that goes into our Sunday worship. He loves building teams and developing relationships with people.
Dan is a Fort Collins native who enjoys roasting and brewing coffee, staying active and quoting “The Office.”