Preface
I decided to take on this project for purely selfish reasons. I wanted to understand worship services so that I could better participate. People can enter into worship more fully if they understand why they are being asked to stand, sing, kneel, etc. you will get much more out of a service if you are engaged in it, and to be engaged you must understand.
There isn’t a dull moment in it for anyone who thinks about what is done and why it is done. – Arthur Clapham (1-2)
Introduction –Why have ritual?
Behold, I make all things new. - Revelation 21:5
For that which is from self-intelligence is in itself void of life, nay, is spiritually dead, for man's own is nothing but evil; and therefore if Divine worship is performed from it, this worship is nothing else than the worship of an idol, graven or molten, wherein there is no spirit, that is, no life. But that which is from the Word is alone serviceable for Divine worship, because it is in itself alive.…From all this it is now clear that a true worship of God has its origin in things of the Word and not at all in those of self- intelligence. So it is that 'if you move a chisel over the altar, you will profane it' means that if you have fashioned such things as are to constitute the worship of God, and they are not products of the Word but of self-intelligence, no worship exists. - Arcana Coelestia 8943
And as the Israelitish nation were in external things without internal, and yet something of a church was to be instituted among them, it was therefore provided by the Lord that nevertheless communication with heaven might be effected by means of representatives, such as were the externals of worship with that nation. - Arcana Coelestia10500
Insofar as at this day they are acquainted with internal things, and confirm themselves intellectually against them, and deny them, so far they can no longer be in a holy external, because denial not only closes up the internal, but also takes away what is holy from the external, thus that which is communicative with heaven. - Arcana Coelestia10500:4)
All the truth that is of faith and the good that is of love, which make the church and also worship, must be from the Word. - Arcana Coelestia10603
It is believed by those who are not acquainted with the arcana of heaven that worship is from man, because it proceeds from the thought and affection which are in him; but the worship which is from man is not worship, consequently the confessions, adorations, and prayers which are from man, are not confessions, adorations, and prayers which are heard and received by the Lord; but they must be from the Lord Himself with man. That this is so is known to the church, for it teaches that nothing that is good proceeds from man, but that all good is from heaven, that is, from the Divine there –Arcana Coelestia10299:2
Manifestly the New Church wants to build it’s own rituals. We do not want to put new wine into old wine skins. – Martin Pryke (11)
The sphere of worship is the sphere of the affection of holy things, inspired by the spiritual affection of truth. –William F. Pendleton (28)
As is evident from the above passages, a proper structure is crucial to a New Church service. The structure must have a smooth flow as to not be disruptive to the sphere of worship. Different people will respond to different spheres, but it is important that the sphere established be comfortable but not ordinary. We are entering the presence of God, the creator of the universe. We should not take this sphere lightly.
The structure and sphere is important to people’s ability to enter into worship. It should be familiar. Variety from service to service is not creating a diverse experience but a confused one. It does not create the variety heaven is made up of, but a confusing pattern that will keep people guessing and perhaps make them uncomfortable, which is certainly not conducive to worshipping.
People do not need to be kept on their toes for worship; it should be a comfortable transition, nevertheless a transition is necessary. While the sphere created needs to be a natural and comfortable state, that does not mean it should be common place and ordinary. There is a change of state when entering worship that is fitting and necessary.
What must our ritual be? This is a huge question. As Martin Pryke observes in his book Liturgics, “We do not want to put new wine into old wine skins.” (11) Ideally, we would come up with distinctly New Church ritual, but it can be hard to start from scratch, so we have adopted rituals from the old church. In order for this to work, we must come up with good doctrinal reasons for our use of the old ritual.
Still, ideally we would start from the doctrine and build ritual straight from the Word, rather than justifying the choices we have already made by finding passages that support our personal ideas.
Order of Service
This is a General Church order of service that has been in use for over a hundred years, the first General Church liturgy being published in 1908, but adapted from a Convention liturgy that had also been in use for many years. The order of service has undergone a lot of change over the years, but the overall structure has stayed pretty similar. This project is not addressing the history of the change, but rather the reasons for how we do our services now. Clearly there will be some overlap, as well as some suggestions of where me might make further changes.
This particular outline is a combination of the 2005 Liturgy and the Kempton New Church liturgy. The Kempton New Church has arranged its liturgy to reflect the order of the book of Revelation.
The Order of Service, or the “Office” of our Liturgy, is the basic structure of our worship. Essentially it is made up of the following elements:
1) The Opening of the Word and a section of prayer and humiliation.
2) A section of instruction made up of Three Lessons and the Sermon.
3) A final section of praise and benediction, and the closing of the Word.
But these three divisions are so joined and interwoven that they may be considered as a one. –Martin Pryke (117)
First section of the Office: Humility
Humiliation is the essential of all adoration and of all worship, for without humiliation the Lord cannot be worshiped and adored, for the reason that the Divine of the Lord cannot flow into a proud heart, that is, into a heart full of the love of self, for such a heart is hard; and is called in the Word a "heart of stone." But the Divine of the Lord can flow into a humble heart, because this is soft, and is called in the Word a "heart of flesh." Such a heart is receptive of the influx of good from the Lord, that is, of the Lord. -Arcana Coelestia9377
Humility is the essential of all worship. If we don’t enter worship with a truly humble attitude no worship is possible. We can’t learn or receive anything. Why attend church? If it is to get something out of the experience such as knowledge from the sermon, talk, or the reading then we must be open to receive something new. In order to be open and receptive we must arrive at a state of humiliation. If we’re not willing to admit that we have things to learn, that we are nothing without the Lord and His teachings, then we can’t accept His truth.
Opening Hymn
Obedience is action, and action in worship is representative of obedience. – William F. Pendleton (5)
It is the people who are to worship
The function of the priest is to lead in worship and not worship for (or in place of) the people.
Worship becomes meaningful to the people largely in the measure in which they participate in it. – Martin Pryke (119)
In order to enter into the service, one has to participate. The hymns, the sung amens and the recitations are ways that we can participate in the service.
Opening of the Word
Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. –Revelation 5:5
The opening of the Word, then, is a representation of the opening up of its interior truths, and there are two or three reasons why the New Church uses this particular ritual. First of all, the New Church is based upon the fact that the Lord has made His Second Coming. As the first Christian Church was based on the truth that the Lord had indeed come into the world as a Man, so the New Church is built upon the truth that He has come a second time, as He promised to do…. A second reason why we open the Word at the beginning of a service is that the whole of worship is—or certainly ought to be—an opening of the Word within our own minds. –Arthur Clapham (4)
The Word lying open upon the pulpit and illuminating the upper part of it, signified the revelation of the internal sense of the Word, which is spiritual. – True Christian Religion508
By "standing before God," is signified to hear and do what He commands, as he who stands before a king. - Apocalypse Revealed366
We should not enter the church, or find our places in the Liturgy, whilst the Word is being opened. –Martin Pryke (151)
If with our eyes we could see the Lord, we should certainly not remain seated in indifference to His presence. – Clapham 2
This ritual of opening the Word at the beginning of the service is a distinctly New Church practice. It is one of the few rituals used in our worship that is not taken from the old church. Arthur Clapham explains in his article What Mean Ye By This Service? that our ritual is based on aspects of the Second Coming. Clapham writes “In His Second Coming He opened His Word that we may see the Divine with His Human Nature” (4)
The opening of the Word represents His presence, His promise of opening the internal sense of the Word to us. It represents us inviting the Lord to be present and also signals the start of the formal part of the service. So closing it represents the end of the service. Some congregations choose to leave the Word open at the end of the service, and some even leave the Word open all the time, throughout the whole week. This decision to leave the Word open all the time, or at the end of the service is to represent the Lord’s continued and constant presence in our lives. We leave Him. He never leaves us.
Sentence from Scripture
The first thing said ought to reign universally in each and all things that follow; for what is first said must be kept in the memory in the things that follow, and must be regarded as the universal in them. - Arcana Coelestia 8864
That which is from the Word is alone serviceable for Divine worship. Arcana Coelestia8943
All the truth that is of faith and the good that is of love, which make the church and also worship, must be from the Word. - Arcana Coelestia10603
Note how the priest’s position depends upon his representation at the time; facing the Word or the people. –Martin Pryke (151)
This opening sentence should be from the Word, because it is said directly after the Word has been opened, almost as if it is being read directly from the page that the Word was opened to. And because it is what “reigns universal” (Arcana Coelestia (hereafter AC) 8864) throughout the service and only things from the Word are serviceable for Divine worship. (AC 8943)
Congregational sung amen
Saying, Amen, signifies the Divine truth and confirmation therefrom; as may be seen above. - Apocalypse Revealed371
Amen, signifies the consent of all. In this verse "Amen" is said at the beginning, and again at the end; when it is said at the beginning it signifies truth, and thence confirmation (n. 371); but when at the end, it signifies the confirmation and consent of all that it is the truth. – Apocalypse Revealed375
Invitation to pray
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker. - Psalm 95:6
Lead into Lord’s Prayer
For humiliation of heart produces kneeling, which is an external gesture of the body; humiliation still greater and more internal produces prostration to the earth. - Arcana Coelestia4215
Opening responses and prayers are provided to lead up to and prepare for the Lord’s Prayer. They are, therefore, of a petitional and penitential character, so that we may be brought into the proper state of humility. – Martin Pryke (154)
Responsives, or versicles, are found in various portions of the Service…. By their use we avoid entering too abruptly into a solemn confession of sin, and at the same time we avoid approaching the Lord’s Prayer without preparation. –William F. Pendleton (13)
The Lord’s Prayer(Matthew 6:9-13)
Prayer, regarded in itself, is speech with God, and some internal view at the time of the matters of the prayer, to which there answers something like an influx into the perception or thought of the mind, so that there is a certain opening of the man's interiors toward God –Arcana Coelestia2535
That the whole of the Lord's Prayer, from beginning to end, has respect to this time; that is, to the time when God, the Father will be worshipped in the Human Form. This appears when this prayer is rightly explained. – Invitation to the New Church37
Whenever I have been reading the Lord's prayer, I have plainly perceived an elevation toward the Lord which was like an attraction, and at the same time my ideas were open, and from this there was effected a communication with some societies in heaven; and I noticed that there was an influx from the Lord into every detail of the prayer, thus into every idea of my thought that was from the meaning of the things in the prayer. The influx was effected with inexpressible variety, that is, not the same at one time as another; hence also it was made evident how infinite are the things contained in the prayer, and that the Lord is present in every one of them. - Arcana Coelestia6476
That the Lord may be with them continually, that He may lift up and turn His face to them, that He may teach, enlighten, and lead them, since of themselves they can do nothing that is good, that He may grant to them to live; that the devil may not lead them astray and instill evils into their hearts, knowing that if they are not led by the Lord the devil will lead them and breathe into them evils of every kind, as hatred, revenge, cunning, and deceit, as a serpent instills poison; for the devil is present stirring up and continually accusing, and wheresoever he meets with a heart turned away from God, he enters in, dwells there, and draws the soul down to hell. O Lord, deliver us. – Apocalypse Explained1148:4
The point of worship is conjunction with a Human God. Prayer is speech with God (AC 2535) and speaking with someone brings you closer to them. Prayer is supplication for help, forgiveness, a prayer of thanksgiving. This does not mean the Lord does not know of our need. We must ask for help to receive it. We need to acknowledge our own limitations and ask for help from outside of ourselves. We need to acknowledge that we alone are nothing. That only the Lord can save us. The Lord knows everything we need before we ask it, but we have to know what we need and know that it doesn’t come from us. Only then can the Lord flow in and help us. He says “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). He is there, but we need to hear Him and open the door.
The reason we were taught to pray the Lord’s Prayer as given in Matthew is because “there is an influx from the Lord into every detail of the prayer” (AC 6476). It does not make sense to write our own prayers or to just speak from our hearts in worship because “worship which is from man is not worship, consequently the confessions, adorations, and prayers which are from man, are not confessions” (AC 10299:2). We should use only the Lord’s Prayer or sentences from Scripture or the Heavenly Doctrine. There is a beautiful prayer in Apocalypse Explained quoted above that is also a good and fitting prayer.
Lead out of the Prayer
Song on knees
The following responses and the prayer sung on the knees, are means of receding from the Lord’s Prayer to prevent an abruptness which would be unfitting to this important part of our ritual. –Martin Pryke (155)
Glorification
Originally I felt overwhelmed by the number of things that happen before we even get to the heart of the service: the readings and the sermon. The opening of the Word and the prayer were significant and really important to me, but if I’m being honest, the rest was somewhat boring and I was just waiting to get on to the parts I understood. The antiphonal readings and all the short little songs at the beginning of the service did not make sense to me. I didn’t understand their use. Now I do. It is the glorification section. If we do not spend time glorifying the Lord and focusing completely on who He is and on His Divinity and Holiness, we are missing the entire point of worship.
When we have a picture in our minds of the Lord, the Creator and Savior of the universe, we can worship Him, and not an invisible God. We can only have conjunction with our savior if we can visualize Him.
This New Church is the crown of all the churches that have hitherto existed on the earth, because it is to worship one visible God in whom is the invisible like the soul in the body. Thus, and not otherwise, is a conjunction of God with man possible because man is natural, and therefore thinks naturally, and conjunction must exist in his thought, and thus in his love's affection, and this is the case when he thinks of God as a Man. Conjunction with an invisible God is like a conjunction of the eye's vision with the expanse of the universe, the limits of which are invisible; it is also like vision in mid-ocean, which reaches out into the air and upon the sea, and is lost. Conjunction with a visible God, on the other hand, is like beholding a man in the air or on the sea spreading forth his hands and inviting to his arms. For all conjunction of God with man must be also a reciprocal conjunction of man with God; and no such reciprocation is possible except with a visible God –True Christian Religion787
Asking in the name of the Lord" denotes asking the Lord, because no one comes unto the Father except through the Lord (John 14:6); and because the Lord as to the Divine Human is Jehovah or the Father in a visible form –Arcana Coelestia9310
Priest: Glory be to the Lord God our Savior Jesus Christ
People: He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. (Revelation 22:13)
Priest: Amen. Praise ye the Lord.
Sanctus (Sung)
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts; Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Amen. –Isaiah 6:3
Recitation or Psalter
In holy worship among the ancients it was also customary to sing by means of choirs, that there might be one or more to answer; by which was represented reciprocation and response. - Arcana Coelestia8340
The Commandments in the Service should be read frequently, as a constant reminder of the evils that are to be shunned as sins against God. –William F. Pendleton (24)
Some believe that a service is not complete without the reading of the Ten Commandments and the Two Great Commandments (Pendleton 24). The recitations seems like a fitting place to introduce them in the service if to be read by the congregation, however they could also be read to the congregation by the priest while the people are on their knees.
Gloria (sung)
Glory and might be unto Him. For ever and ever, amen, Who is and who was and who is to come, The Almighty. Amen. –Revelation 1:6,8
The very essential of the church is the acknowledgment of the union of the Divine Itself in the Lord's Human, and that this must be in each and all things of worship. -Arcana Coelestia10370
From all this it is evident that by "the sons of Israel keeping the Sabbath to perform the Sabbath to their generations," is signified the acknowledgment of the Divine Itself in the Lord's Human in each and all things of worship. The reason why this is an essential of the church, and consequently an essential of its worship, is that the salvation of the human race depends solely upon this union. Moreover the Lord came into the world for the sake of effecting this union. Therefore also in its inmost sense the whole Word treats of this, and the rituals of the church instituted among the sons of Israel represented it and signified it. - Arcana Coelestia10370
Second section of the Office: Instruction
Consequently "sitting" signifies a permanent abiding in the state of the interiors –Arcana Coelestia9422
Frequenting a place of worship, hearing sermons, and saying prayers, are also necessary. –Arcana Coelestia7038
When the Lord came into the world, and in consequence representations of Him ceased, that day [Sunday] became a day of instruction in Divine things, and thus also a day of rest from labors and of meditation on such things as relate to salvation and eternal life, as also a day of love towards the neighbor. That it became a day of instruction in Divine things is evident from this, That on that day the Lord taught in the temple and in synagogues. -True Christian Religion301
Concerning some preachers in the World of Spirits: "They did not prepare their sermons from the Word and thus from the Spirit of God, but from their own rational light, and thus from their own spirit. They begin, indeed, as a prelude, with a text from the Word, but this they merely touch with their lips, and then abandon as tasteless, immediately selecting something savory from their own intelligence . . . . Such is their teaching. It was said that as a consequence there was no more spirituality in their sermons than in the songs of birds, and that they were merely allegorical adornments, like wigs beautifully curled and powdered on bald heads –True Christian Religion810
The human intellect ought not to have a part in explaining the interior things of the Word – Spiritual Experience3605 ½
The externals of the body which pertain to worship are: (1) Frequenting temples. (3) Listening to sermons. (3) Devoutly singing, and praying on the knees. (4) Partaking the Sacrament of the Supper. And at home: (1) Prayer morning and evening, and at dinners and suppers. (2) Conversing with others about charity and faith, and about God, heaven, eternal life, and salvation. (3) And in the case of priests, preaching, and also private instruction. (4) And with everyone, the instruction of children and servants in such matters. (5) Reading the Word, and books of instruction and of piety. –Doctrine of Charity174
Although the angels in the celestial kingdom perceive and see truths there are preachings there, since by means of preachings they are enlightened in the truths that they already know, and are perfected by many truths that they did not know before. As soon as they hear truths they acknowledge them and thus perceive them; and the truths they perceive they love, and by living in accordance with them they make them to be of their life, declaring that living in accordance with truths is loving the Lord. –Heaven and Hell225
Lessons (reading from the Old and New Testament and the Heavenly Doctrine)
In order therefore that heaven may subsist, and the human race by conjunction with it, the Word has been provided by the Lord, wherein is Divine truth for angels and for men…. Heaven is in its wisdom from the Word when it is being read by man, and then at the same time the man is in conjunction with heaven. - Arcana Coelestia10452
(Children’s talk, children’s benediction)
If this is not done the children not only become bored, but acquire a habit of not listening. –Martin Pryke (165)
There is real value in the children seeing their parents worship – a powerful example to them. It is better for children to be “taken” to church, rather than “sent”. –Martin Pryke (164)
Interlude
In the Interlude there is a transition from the intermediate to the final period of the Service, or from the letter to the spirit, in which the Sermon is the central feature. –William F. Pendleton (28)
It should not be dramatic, or draw attention to itself. –Martin Pryke (182)
Hymn
There is need for response and participation on the part of the congregation. They therefore, rise to sing after the lessons and sermon, and thus demonstrate their desire to use that which has been taught. –Martin Pryke (168)
Invocation
Facing congregation: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
These (invocation and ascription) have been taken from the Christian Church, but they involve sound New Church principle.
An acknowledgement that all truth is from the Lord
An acknowledgement of His illustration and leading
A refusal by the priest to ascribe to himself that which is the Lord
There is an emphasis on the idea expressed above, that the sermon is built on the lessons and the Word, and is not the same as other human compistions– Martin Pryke (167)
-OR-
Prayer
Facing the Word: May the speech of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be for good pleasure before Thee, my Rock and my Redeemer. –Psalm 19:14
Sermon
The Lord does not teach man truths either from Himself or through the angels immediately; but He teaches mediately by means of the Word, preaching, reading, conversation, and communication with others, and thus by thoughts within oneself about these things. – Apocalypse Explained1173
The Word can only be taught mediately through parents, teachers, preachers, books, and especially through the reading of it. Nevertheless, it is not taught by these, but by the Lord through them. – Diving Providence172:6
The Holy Supper may be omitted on any given Sunday so also may the Sermon be omitted… and if it be desired to read something in place of a Sermon, let a Memorable Relation be read, or a short series of numbers from the Writings, such the chapter on Charity in various public officials. – William F. Pendleton (29)
Ascription
Facing the Word: Now to the one and only God, be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The sermon being completed, the congregation rises, and joins in spirit with the minister in ascribing all glory and dominion to the one only God, Jesus Christ our Lord. –William F. Pendleton (30)
I began this paper thinking that sermons were not a necessary part of worship. I wanted to prove that they detracted from the service rather than adding to it. But after months of closely reading the Doctrines on this matter I have finally come to the realizations that sermons are a necessary and extremely useful part of external worship. They are not only necessary to hear and read, but important to have as part of a service of worship. Doctrine of Charity says that “Frequenting temples and listening to sermons” (174) are part of external worship. Which means that sermons can’t just be a doctrinal class later, they are part of that actual service of worship. Also, there is preaching in heaven (Heaven and Hell 225) therefore we should have it on earth (Matthew 6:10).
As important as sermons are to expounding the Word of God, they certainly can be ineffective or even harmful. Therefore the utmost care must be taken to avoid profanation or too much of the human intellect as part of it. As it says in True Christian Religion, some preachers “did not prepare their sermons from the Word and thus from the Spirit of God, but from their own rational light, and thus from their own spirit” (810) and there sermons were consequently of no effect. In the Arcana Coelestia it explains that every part of worship must come from the Word and not from self-intelligence and that “if you have fashioned such things as are to constitute the worship of God, and they are not products of the Word but of self-intelligence, no worship exists”(8943). The priests when writing their sermons must take special care to use the truths from the Word and the Heavenly Doctrine, and only those truths, to explain the literal sense of the story. These passages make it pretty clear that personal stories do not have a place in worship. Perhaps they can be used in Doctrinal Classes, but that is a different topic. In worship, they have no place. They are not from the Word.
While sermons do have a place in worship that does not mean that they must be given every week. Pendleton suggests that just as Holy Supper can be omitted, so can the sermon (29). He suggests that this could give the minister a needed break, and also to prevent him from forcing inspiration when writing a sermon. If forced, self-intelligence could slide in, rather than truths from the Word guiding his preparation.
Third section of the Office: Praise
Gladness of heart and joy of mind produce singing. - Arcana Coelestia4215
In ancient times gladness of heart was attested not only by musical instruments and songs, but also by dances. For joys of the heart, or interior joys, burst forth in the body into various acts, as into songs, and also into dances. And as in ancient times the gladnesses which excelled all others were spiritual gladnesses, that is, were from the affections of spiritual loves, which were those of good and truth, therefore also it was then allowed to add dances to the songs and musical harmonies, and in these ways also to testify joy. - Arcana Coelestia8339
I heard a host of angels of the interior heaven who together or in consort were forming a representative. The spirits about me could not perceive it, except from a certain influx of interior affection. It was a choir, in which many angels together thought the same thing, and spoke the same thing. By representations they formed a golden crown gemmed with diamonds around the Lord's head; which was effected all at once by means of a rapid series of representations, such as are those of thought and speech spoken of above (n. 3342-3344); and wonderful to say, although there were a host they nevertheless all thought and spoke as a one, thus they all represented as a one; and this because no one was desirous to do anything from himself, still less to preside over the rest and lead the choir; for whoever does this is of himself instantly dissociated. But they suffered themselves to be led mutually by each other, thus all individually and collectively by the Lord. All the good who come into the other life are brought into such harmonious agreements. - Arcana Coelestia3350
The reason why "a song" also signifies glorification, which is confession from joy of heart, is because singing exalts, and causes affection to break out from the heart into sound, and show itself intensely in its life. – Apocalypse Revealed279:2
One [truth] does not produce any form, and thus not any quality, but only a number that are connected in a series. For as one tone does not produce any melody, still less harmony, so neither does one truth. - Arcana Coelestia4179:7
All the sweet harmoniousness in the other life comes from goodness and charity. - Arcana Coelestia1759
And then those who knew this, and meditated upon it, and were affected thereby, had internal gladness; but others only external. The angels also who were with the men were at the same time in the glorification of the Lord; consequently they who sang, and they who heard the songs, had heavenly gladness from the holy and blessed influx which flowed in from heaven, in which they seemed to themselves to be as it were taken up into heaven. Such an effect had the songs of the church among the ancients. Such an effect also they would have at this day; for the spiritual angels are especially affected by songs which are about the Lord, His kingdom, and the church. That the songs of the church had this effect, was not only because by them gladness of heart became active, and burst forth from within even to the utmost fibers of the body, and set these in motion with a glad and at the same time a holy tremor; but also because there is a glorification of the Lord in the heavens by means of choirs, and thus by the harmonious music of many. From this also angelic speech is harmonious, falling into rhythmic measures. - Arcana Coelestia8261:3
Everyone is composed of various things harmoniously conjoined; and the case is the same with the goods and truths in the spiritual world, which, although various, so that they are never precisely the same with one as with another, nevertheless make a one from the Divine through love and charity. For love and charity are spiritual conjunction; and their variety is heavenly harmony, which makes such concord that they are a one in the Divine, that is, in the Lord. - Arcana Coelestia3986:3
In our service we express praise in singing. In order for us to enter into the praise portion of the service, we must participate. We participate by singing, not listening to others sing. Listening to a choir is useful for reflection and to get us into the sphere of worship, but it does not signify praise in worship, just as watching someone perform a use does not mean that you yourself are useful. Praise is participation in the singing and the desire to go forth from the service into action.
Variety in worship does not mean conflicting ideas, but a number of ideas that make up a one, like notes makes up harmonies. Infinite variety in heaven is about lots of different people working together. Not a number of people having totally conflicting and differing opinions.
Hymn (Offertory)
Vow and make return unto the Lord your God; let all who be around Him bring an offering unto Him, who is to be feared. –Psalm 76:11
An acknowledgment that all we have is from the Lord –Martin Pryke (121)
The reason was that the presents they gave them represented such things in man as ought to be offered to the Lord when He is approached, which are things that are from freedom, consequently from the man himself; for his freedom is what is from the heart, and what is from the heart is from the will, and what is from the will is from the affection which is of the love, and what is from the affection which is of the love is free, thus of the man himself (see n. 1947, 2870-2893, 3158). From this it is that a present should be given by man to the Lord on approaching Him. It was this present that was represented; for kings represented the Lord as to Divine truth –Arcana Coelestia 5619
The firstfruits of thy grain, and the firstfruits of thy wine, thou shalt not delay. That this signifies that as all the goods and truths of faith are from the Lord, they are to be ascribed to Him and not to self. -Arcana Coelestia 9223
Second Prayer
Priest: Yes I come quickly. Amen.
People: Yes, Come Lord. Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)
The closing prayer should be one of adoration and thanksgiving. –William Pendleton (31)
This prayer coming at the end of the service will have more of the element of grateful acknowledgement and praise, and less of a self-confessing and petitional character than the prayer at the beginning of the service. –Martin Pryke (185)
Benediction
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen –Revelation 22:21
Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. –Numbers 6: 23-27
I will bless them that bless thee. That this signifies all happiness to those who acknowledge the Lord from the heart, is evident from the signification of a "blessing," as involving all and each of the things that are from the Lord, as well those that are good as those that are true; thus celestial, spiritual, natural, worldly, and corporeal things; and because in the universal sense "blessing" embraces all these, it may be seen in each passage, from the connection, what is signified by "to bless;" for this adapts itself to the things of which it is predicated. From this it is evident that "I will bless them that bless thee," signifies all happiness to those who acknowledge the Lord from the heart –Arcana Coelestia1422
That in blessing I will bless thee. That this signifies fructification from the affection of truth, is evident from the signification of "being blessed," as meaning to be enriched with celestial and spiritual good (see n. 981, 1096, 1420, 1422); here, to be made fruitful from the good of faith, or what is the same, from the affection of truth, because the spiritual are treated of. It is here said by Jehovah to Abraham, "in blessing I will bless thee," and by Abraham is represented the Lord as to His Divine Human, as before in this chapter; and yet the Lord Himself could not be blessed, because He is blessing itself; but He is said to be blessed, when in accordance with His love those abound who are saved; and therefore in the internal sense these are here signified, as is also evident from what immediately follows. Fructification is here spoken of, because this is predicated of affection; but multiplication, as next follows, is predicated of the truths which are therefrom. –Arcana Coelestia2846
Closing of the Word
The Closing of the Word marks the completion of the service proper. It is, of course, done with the same silent attentive respect as at the opening. –Martin Pryke (186)
As stated above, some people believe the Word should be left open at the end of the service. It is uncomfortable for some people to leave the church while the Word is still open, but the truth is, we leave the Lord’s presence, He never leaves us.
Hymn
As we finish with a note of rejoicing, a hymn of praise is usually sung. –Martin Pryke (187)
Postlude
We need to remember that much harm may be done to states of worship, and their value destroyed, if we rush away from the state too quickly. –Martin Pryke (188)
Therefore Turn and Live(Ezekiel 18:32)
True worship consists in the performance of uses, thus in the exercise of charity. –Arcana Coelestia7038
In like manner at this day, they who make Divine worship consist in frequenting temples, hearing preachings, attending the Holy Supper, and who do these things with devotion, without thinking any further about them than that they ought to be frequented because they are instituted and commanded, these are of the external church; whereas they who at the same time believe that such things are to be attended to, but that still the essential of worship is the life of faith, that is, charity toward the neighbor and love to the Lord, these are of the internal church. - Arcana Coelestia8762
Divine worship itself in the heavens does not, however, consist in going to church and in listening to sermons, but in a life of love, charity and faith in accordance with doctrines. Preachings in churches serve solely as means of instruction in matters of life. I have talked with angels about this, and have told them that it is believed in the world that Divine worship consists solely in attending church, listening to sermons, observing the sacrament of the Supper three or four times a year, and performing other acts of worship prescribed by the Church, also finding time for prayers, and then behaving devoutly. The angels said that these are outward acts that ought to be done, but are of no avail unless there is an internal from which they proceed, which is a life in accordance with the precepts that doctrine teaches. – Heaven and Hell222
Going to church is important. All the things in worship that we participate in are important to our spiritual growth and ultimately our salvation. In order to learn how to live useful lives we must attend church, not just spiritual lectures and classes. True humiliation in worship is essential in order to receive the instruction. We must make ourselves willing to receive in order to learn. As important as all this is, it is nothing unless there is an “internal from which they proceed which is a life in accordance with the precepts that doctrine teaches” (Heaven Hell 222). We must live according to the truths. Church services are not enough, but are necessary. We need both the external of worship, which is attending services on Sunday mornings, and the internal which is to live according to what we learn; to apply it to our lives. As we read in Arcana Coelestia “True worship consists in the performance of uses, thus in the exercise of charity” (7038).
Bibliography
Clapham, Arthur. What Mean Ye By This Service. London: 1962
Pendledton, William F. Notes and Papers On Ritual. Bryn Athyn, PA: Academy of the New Church Book Room, 1956
Pryke, Martin. Liturgics.Place of Publication: 1976
Swedenborg, Emanuel. Arcana Coelestia. Trans. John Faulkner Potts. New York, NY: The Swedenborg Foundation, 1949
Swedenborg, Emanuel. Apocalypse Explained. Trans. John Whitehead. New York, NY: Swedenborg Foundation, 1968
Swedenborg, Emanuel. Apocalypse Revealed. Trans. John Whitehead. New York, NY: The Swedenborg Foundation, 1915
Swedenborg, Emanuel. The Doctrine of Charity. Trans. John Whitehead. New York, NY: Swedenborg Foundation, 1914
Swedenborg, Emanuel. Divine Providence. Trans. William C. Dick. New York, NY: Swedenborg Foundation, 1949
Swedenborg, Emanuel. Heaven and Hell. Trans. John C. Ager. New York, NY: Swedenborg Foundation, 1978
Swedenborg, Emanuel. The Invitation to the New Church. Trans. John Whitehead. New York, NY: Swedenborg Foundation, 1914
Swedenborg, Emanuel. Spiritual Experiences.Trans. A.W. Acton. New York, NY: Swedenborg Foundation, 1962
Swedenborg, Emanuel. True Christian Religion. Trans, John C. Ager. New York, NY: Swedenborg Foundation, 1952
