Although ‘contemporary’ worship is nothing new - it’s what the original reformers were doing when they produced prayer books in the common tongue - it is a tradition which we reclaim now. If nothing else, we hope this is enterprise truly becomes liturgy, i.e., ‘work of the people’. That is will always be relevant to and reflective of the people who gather in this hour. That it will never become static, i.e., entrenched in its own traditions, and that in the spirit of the reformers it will always reinvent itself in language, in music, in visual art and expression – reclaiming and proclaiming the gospel in ways that capture the hearts and imaginations of those who gather here.

Some ground rules:

• There is no dress code for this service. As we sing sometimes, ‘come as you are’ to worship.

• There is no standard for kneeling, standing or sitting. We’ll probably stand up to sing, just because it’s easier to do when you are on your feet (besides, we also hope to get the place rockin’ from time to time and we want you to feel free to dance if you feel so moved). During prayers whether it is our intercessions or during communion – feel free to sit, or stand or kneel (though that may be uncomfortable).

• We get under way at 9:50 with some musical selections and then dive into the service. You don’t need to be here on time to come in. And, if you must, feel free to leave early.

• The Band takes requests! If you want to hear it or sing it, please suggest it to one of our musicians. If we can find it and learn it, we’ll find a good time to play it. ‘Nuf said.

• Please feel free to offer feedback or make suggestions for the service. We have no tradition at 10:00 and we’d like to keep it that way, but we want to find and do things that are relevant and meaningful for us. Let us hear from you. Remember – we want to be true liturgy: a work of the people.

• There are no ground rules.

Please send feedback to payne@stthomas.ang-md.org