When I came back to God and my faith last year, it had been many years since I had been to a service in church. I’ve spent the last year watching online services from my old church.
Things have changed.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for change. But the new language and wording in some services is so new, it felt strange and awkward. Even though at first I didn’t think I remembered any of the older order of service, or the words of worship, they soon came flowing back to me, and as I was joining in, the old and new started to mix and confuse me. If that makes any sense.
I still find it odd that there are different versions of the Lord’s Prayer. And I do understand why modern language is now used in church services, but I struggle with it. I was 11 when I first starting to attend holy communion services – and I was also an acolyte from age 12. I loved the words abs language from the service book that we used. It just flowed, and felt beautiful and meaningful. When I chose my first bible, I chose a traditional language one. It was white and gold, and I still have it, even though I do use an NIV version more often. I also still have the Gideon New Testament that we were also given in the first year of senior school.
I decided to try to find a service book from when I was last in the church. I discovered that the version we used was the ‘Alternative Service Book’ from 1980. Version 3, as far as I can tell. I bought the book, and I have loved reading through it. It brings me joy that I can’t explain. It makes me feel like I hadn’t been away from faith for so long.
I think it made me feel like I belonged again, that I wasn’t a stranger to the new words and language.
I do try to follow the newer order of service, but I do tend to slip into the old, more comfortable words. I can’t help it, I like ‘visible and invisible’ over ‘seen and unseen’.
In the end, I think what I’m trying to say is that even though words matter, it doesn’t matter how you worship, or how you praise God, as long as you do. And as long as you mean it.
Words for today.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
“For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries” 1 Corinthians 14:2
Dear Lord, it’s Me again 