Evolution of Church
The Church Today
This is the final worship in our series on The Evolution of Church. Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 6.30-34, 53-56. What does it mean for church to be evolving? How might the deep traditions of our past inform and form our unfolding into God’s future?
Liberal Protestantism
We transition from the movement of religious fervor that spread across the United States in the nineteenth century to the rise of liberal protestantism in the early twentieth century. Linda’s message invites reflection on the Social Gospel, intersections of faith and the political realm, and changes to the order of worship.
Second Great Awakening
We transition this week from the Reformation of sixteenth-century western Europe to the movement of religious fervor that spread across the United States in the nineteenth century. Matt’s message invites reflection on the dynamic experiences of personal religious conversion that defined the Second Great Awakening. The message is rooted in Romans 8.14-16 and calls our community to consider how we might take next steps in our own faith journeys.
Classical Christianity
We transition from the earliest followers of Jesus gathering secretly in homes to Christianity “coming out” as the imperial religion. Worship begins with reflection on music of this era (150 CE – 650 CE) and Matt’s message traces the development of doctrine and ecclesiology in the era of Classical Christianity.
Earliest Followers of Jesus
We continue our journey with a “stop” in the house churches of early Christianity. Worship began outdoors with singing and Scripture and then moved into the Social Hall where we gathered on floor in “houses” to read from the Didache and break bread together.
A Journeying People
We begin our journey with one of the earliest examples of worship in the Bible. The Israelite people celebrate their escape from Egypt and Miriam steps forward to “give Praise to God” by singing, dancing, drumming & shouting. Worship began outdoors with singing and Scripture. We moved into the Sanctuary and Linda’s message invites reflection on the beginnings of worship.