If you worship with a congregation...

[wabisabi]

what kind of worship style do you prefer? Quiet and contemplative? High church? Casual and folky/rockin'? Traditional hymns, staid sermon, etc.? Something else? At your house of worship are you able to worship the way you most prefer, or do attend there even though it's not ideal? If your answer is the latter, why?


This thread inspired by my mom, who attends a service that is less than her ideal because it's the only kind her husband will attend.

[wabisabi]

Hmmmm.....nobody?

[Odion]

I don't go to a church any more, but... well, there's something amazing about hymns in a full church and with a choir, that feeling of oneness is epic - but done badly, hymns can be awful! I have to say I like semi-casual, I went to a church once that was like, pentecostal, and they were dancing around and running around the place and just generally being EXCITABLE AND WHEEEEEE and it scared the crap out of me, I left quickly.

I like loudness so I can actually hear the songs clearly, though.

[Storm]

Well, I've been thinking about it. I suppose I prefer the quiet, intellectual services held at my old congregation, which was more like a college lecture hall. However, I've gotten used to the much more traditional services of First Church, even come to love them. Hymns and all. My favorite, though, are the occasional music services.

[Jayhawker Soule]

I attend services at a Reform Synagogue. The Reform movement is pluralistic and offers a great deal of latitude in terms of beliefs and rituals. Nevertheless, there is a good deal more prayer and ritual in the typical service than I am completely comfortable with.

[J Bryson]

I like a thoughtful sermon, a couple of hymns, and regular congregational involvement in shaping the rest of the service.

[TheKnight]

Originally Posted by wabisabi

what kind of worship style do you prefer? Quiet and contemplative? High church? Casual and folky/rockin'? Traditional hymns, staid sermon, etc.? Something else? At your house of worship are you able to worship the way you most prefer, or do attend there even though it's not ideal? If your answer is the latter, why?


This thread inspired by my mom, who attends a service that is less than her ideal because it's the only kind her husband will attend.

I actually hate organized group worship. I have yet to find one that does not have some form of corruption that makes worshiping there unbearable. Granted, I do realize the benefit of worshiping with others and congregating with fellow religionists.

Personally, I feel uncomfortable approaching God in worship if I have not made His world a better place. Therefore each day I try to make this world a better place in one way or another (whether it be giving a beggar a dollar, or helping someone out). I consider my service of humanity to be the highest worship that I can offer Hashem. After all, what greater act can I preform than that which elevates and serves the creation of God? What is more pleasing to Him than to see us, His creations, dwelling peacefully in love and in harmony, working together for the common good of us all? Nothing whatsoever.

[krishnakanta]

Wabisabi, your threads are always so interestings Thank you!

As for myself, I like our type of congregational worship. It gives association which is very important and it makes me feel like I'm a part of things. At home we can do aarti and meditate but there is something about being in the temple and having the pujari do it. Each week we have a aarti, lectures, prasadam, and bhajans which are very jubulent. During the week sometimes I like to go to the noon aarti which has a different atmosphere as it is silent with the acception of ringing bell and conch.

We also have kirtan or ecstatic chanting which is a lot of fun and really helps one to feel God.


When I'm in India I also like the evening aarti to Ganga Ma. Everyone gets together and it's like a large celebration. The ritual and hymns connect me with ancient times. I feel like I'm a part of a continuing process that began thousands of years ago.

I like being in a congregational setting because it gives spiritual strength and inspiration.

[Jordan St. Francis]

I prefer solemn. I do love a high church Mass, in English or in Latin, and am well disposed towards Gregorian chant. I love the organ also.

Unfortunately, the Catholic musical tradition seems to be in an awful state. Its at the point where I prefer a morning daily Mass- no singing to ruin it for me, just the peaceful early light coming in through the stained glass and the priest singing the Liturgy with every body assembled in quiet, reverent prayers and speaking back or chanting back the responses. Quite often the modern music is overly sentimental, or complicated in a manner that does not work out.

Some of my favorite moments of worship are in silence, while the priest carries out his prayers and I can gaze upon the candle before the Tabernacle, or the image of Christ crucified, or the chalice, bread and Missal laid out on the altar between two candles.