At a recent worship meeting in my parish, we talked about scripture readings during worship, and whether or not the lector and/or pastor should conclude with something (like "the word of God for the people of God") or not and whether the congregation should respond together with something (like "thanks be to God") or not. Right now, this is not done consistently in our congregation.
Do you use responses to scripture in your congregation?
If so, what do you use?
Either way, do you have some theological/liturgical grounding for your decision?
Do you use responses to scripture in your congregation?
If so, what do you use?
Either way, do you have some theological/liturgical grounding for your decision?
Comments
At the risk of idolatry, it was a very reverent element of liturgy. The Word of God is above us and the pastor's physical actions mirrored that spiritual reality.
However, I have always thought it a little "cornball". It does remind me and the congregation that it is the Word of God, but if you are a person (maybe not even a Christian) who has made it to a Christian Church, shouldn't you be smart enough to know that the reading of the Holy Bible is the world of God?
It doesn't bother me, but I've always, since I was a teen and they first started doing it in my local church, thought it was kinda strange. Maybe I'm old school.
May God bless to our understanding these words from scripture (or we name the book, letter, Gospel).
The Gospel reading, read by a clergy person begins with "The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to..." and the response is "Glory to you, Lord Christ." The Gospel ends with "The Gospel of the Lord" with the book raised over the head; and the response is "Praise to you, Lord Christ."
We read our Gospel from the pews.
And we do all this as to follow the rubrics of our Book of Common Prayer.
Other churches I've served end readings with "Here ends the reading (or lesson)..."; or with "Hear how the Spirit speaks to God's people," which is less hierarchical language.
The congregation responds, "Thanks be to God."
"Thanks be to God."
When I got here, they were not using anything.
So maybe it'll change someday. I'm not much for 'high church' worship anyway.
Response thanks be to God- but I love those words, it says this is for you... makes it personal.