Tower and Town, March 2021

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Worship

I grew up in a musical family in Dublin, very much engaged in the local church and so music and worship have always been part of my life. However, as a teenager, I went on an Easter holiday organised by Scripture Union Ireland. That was the beginning of my committed Christian faith and I’ve been playing the piano, acoustic or electronic, in worship ever since. For me, faith and music are intertwined though evidently distinct, too.

‘Worship’ is derived from the old English word weorthscipe which means ‘to give worth to’. I began to realise as a teenager what God was worth in terms of my life, and I’ve been working this out ever since. Baptist theologian Paul Fiddes writes about event and process, which marks the life of all Christians. There are some moments in our lives which are literally crucial (cross-shaped, or pivotal) and the rest of it is working out what it means to follow Jesus in the everyday, and doing it. Although I struggle sometimes, He is worth my whole life!

The New Testament Greek word usually translated worship in modern English translations of the Bible is proskuneo, meaning ‘to come forward to kiss’. This gives us a whole new dimension of meaning as we consider Jesus’ invitation to regard God as ‘Abba, Father’. To be loved and held in and by God, with closeness and affection. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within all those who are seeking God or have a sense that God is seeking them.

Another dimension of worship is that which we gain when we worship with others. The Bishop of Coventry, Chris Cocksworth, in his book Holy, Holy, Holy, says that “worship is like the great cheer echoing around a football stadium… which tells us that something has happened which has made a difference to the way things are.” Engaging in worship, opening yourself to God with an open heart changes you, because He is already there, waiting for you. Early Methodists amongst others called this the prevenient grace of God. I love this.

For me in this past year, corporate worship without singing has been really quite hard. It was odd to sit in church at Christmas and hum the carols! But things have changed, they are changing and they will change, and we will be back to the privilege of heartfelt prayer, praise and sung worship alongside others, soon I hope.

In the meantime, know that God is with you no less in the present.

In Christ, with you in Marlborough

Pete Sainsbury