At a recent Episcopal church service I attended, one of the Bible passages that was read during the service was from 1 Samuel (chapter 3, verses 1-10) where God was literally calling Samuel, verbally.
In his sermon a few minutes later the priest asked if we all thought God was still a real and active presence in our lives – just as he was in Samuel’s when he was calling him.
Do we hear the voice of God today? Do we see his wondrous works?
The priest answered his own question by saying that God does still speak to us and God still actively works in our lives but we are too busy to hear him and see what he does.
That sermon was in the middle of a service that included ten prayers, four readings, five individual ceremonies, and ten songs. We stood up when the service started, then we knelt, sat, stood, sat, stood, sat, stood, knelt, stood, knelt, stood, knelt, and then stood again as it ended.
We had to follow a 23 page service bulletin so that we could stand, sit, kneel, sing, and talk at the proper time. We repeated four phrases a total of 26 times – and that does not include the word “Amen”.
During a service that is specifically designed for people to strengthen their relationship with God, there was literally no time for us to listen to see if he was speaking to us, or for us to contemplate his works.
A lot of good things come out of traditional church services of all denominations. They can bring strength and comfort to the people who attend them.
But you do stay very busy while attending them.
The aspect of Quaker meetings for worship that most caught my attention was the simple idea of sitting in silence and listening to God.
We welcome you to meet with us every First Day to come and listen.
Peachtree Friends Meeting 