Is a liturgical Adventism possible? In fact, it already exists in various forms.
The only fully-liturgical Adventism I have experienced exists in the "Jewish Adventist" movement--essentially, Adventist Messianic Jewish congregations. I attended one a few times as a teenager. For instance, this is the Siddur (order of prayer) used at one such congregation in Florida (photos and information available at that site) The following is an edited excerpt from the Siddur; remember, this is an Adventist worship service:
The liturgy, if at times more casual than the average Reform service, is beautiful. The language of worship is profoundly scriptural, often adapting the words of the psalms to frame worship. The congregation prays with scripture, blesses with scripture, and sings scripture. In its other prayers and hymns, the congregation draws upon the rich liturgical language of Rabinnic Judaism. It also employs the rich, tangible symbolism of Rabbinic Judaism: including the blessing of grape juice, challah bread, and the lighting of candles. You are welcome to watch a video of the same congregation celebrating a Sabbath vespers liturgy here (also, on Sabbaths, live streaming is available here). I find it nearly impossible to not be nourished by this form of worship.
The Siddur also describes a procession with the Torah, and the chanting of the Torah reading, forms of reverence absent in low church Protestantism but true of classical Christian liturgy. The congregation also follows a lectionary (an annual cycle of scripture readings). The video depicts a regular chanted blessing (of children) with outstretched hand. An ancestral, liturgical language is used at various parts (Hebrew). For Catholics, this should all be quite familiar.
As a young Adventist, I was fascinated by Jewish forms of worship, which encouraged my attendance at the local Adventist "temple." Even years later, I continue to meet many Adventists who share an abiding fascinating with Jewish religious practices and forms of worship. Most commonly, one hears of Adventist families who light candles at Sabbath vespers, or of local churches celebrating an educational Passover Seder. Less commonly, one meets Adventists who have purchased shofars, prayer shawls, and kippahs for display or even occasional use. Many Adventists are attracted to the antiquity of Jewish liturgical tradition; for many, it is a tangible way of connecting with the cultural milieu of Jesus and His apostles. They also appreciate the symbolism of Judaism's rituals and gestures (e.g., the Seder).
All of these instincts can be channeled in the expansion of a liturgical Adventism. At the very least, the Jewish Adventist reliance on praying scripture, blessing with scripture, and singing scripture can positively impact the worship experience of the average Adventist congregation. Likewise, an exposure to such a liturgy can help Adventists see that even a weekly service with set hymns, prayers, and responses can be surprisingly nourishing if approached reverently, prayerfully, and thoughtfully.
I definitely encourage you to watch that video.
The only fully-liturgical Adventism I have experienced exists in the "Jewish Adventist" movement--essentially, Adventist Messianic Jewish congregations. I attended one a few times as a teenager. For instance, this is the Siddur (order of prayer) used at one such congregation in Florida (photos and information available at that site) The following is an edited excerpt from the Siddur; remember, this is an Adventist worship service:
Leader: How lovely are Your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel. O Lord, through Your abounding kindness I will enter Your house, in awe I will bow down toward Your Holy Sanctuary.
Congregation: How lovely are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel. (Sung)
ALL STAND
Leader: Bless the Lord, the blessed One.
Congregation: Blessed is the Lord, the blessed One, for all eternity.
The liturgy, if at times more casual than the average Reform service, is beautiful. The language of worship is profoundly scriptural, often adapting the words of the psalms to frame worship. The congregation prays with scripture, blesses with scripture, and sings scripture. In its other prayers and hymns, the congregation draws upon the rich liturgical language of Rabinnic Judaism. It also employs the rich, tangible symbolism of Rabbinic Judaism: including the blessing of grape juice, challah bread, and the lighting of candles. You are welcome to watch a video of the same congregation celebrating a Sabbath vespers liturgy here (also, on Sabbaths, live streaming is available here). I find it nearly impossible to not be nourished by this form of worship.
The Siddur also describes a procession with the Torah, and the chanting of the Torah reading, forms of reverence absent in low church Protestantism but true of classical Christian liturgy. The congregation also follows a lectionary (an annual cycle of scripture readings). The video depicts a regular chanted blessing (of children) with outstretched hand. An ancestral, liturgical language is used at various parts (Hebrew). For Catholics, this should all be quite familiar.
As a young Adventist, I was fascinated by Jewish forms of worship, which encouraged my attendance at the local Adventist "temple." Even years later, I continue to meet many Adventists who share an abiding fascinating with Jewish religious practices and forms of worship. Most commonly, one hears of Adventist families who light candles at Sabbath vespers, or of local churches celebrating an educational Passover Seder. Less commonly, one meets Adventists who have purchased shofars, prayer shawls, and kippahs for display or even occasional use. Many Adventists are attracted to the antiquity of Jewish liturgical tradition; for many, it is a tangible way of connecting with the cultural milieu of Jesus and His apostles. They also appreciate the symbolism of Judaism's rituals and gestures (e.g., the Seder).
All of these instincts can be channeled in the expansion of a liturgical Adventism. At the very least, the Jewish Adventist reliance on praying scripture, blessing with scripture, and singing scripture can positively impact the worship experience of the average Adventist congregation. Likewise, an exposure to such a liturgy can help Adventists see that even a weekly service with set hymns, prayers, and responses can be surprisingly nourishing if approached reverently, prayerfully, and thoughtfully.
I definitely encourage you to watch that video.
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