Last Sunday I attended my first in person worship service in over a year. For that outdoor service at First Presbyterian Church (Fort Worth, TX) I sat masked in a socially distanced chair with fewer than 20 other outdoor attendees – a group which was supplemented by folks worshipping in a nearby parking lot in their vehicles. (For more on this check out my post titled First in Person Worship Experience in a Year.)
Today was another milestone day: I attended my first indoor worship service in over a year! It was the first indoor service held at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church (Fort Worth, TX) since the onset of the pandemic.
On Friday I saw a Facebook post indicating that St. Stephen would begin offering in person worship this week. After reviewing the in person worship guidelines to determine that they were in line with current best practices, I e-mailed Anne in the church office to register. An hour later, I received an e-mail confirming my registration.
My Experience
After watching an eight minute YouTube video explaining what to expect in worship, I arrived a bit early to assist with what I assumed might be a significant line of people going through the check-in process.
To my surprise, the main parking lot was nearly empty, and only a few people were ahead of me as I entered through the Narthex.
I was greeted at the door by a helpful person who took my temperature, asked if I needed anything, handed me a program and directed me toward the sanctuary doors. As I walked up to one of those doors, I was greeted by another individual who escorted me to my seat. This person was seating people on one side of the sanctuary from the outer aisle from front to back using every third pew. (Only much later did anyone get seated on the same pew as another individual, couple or family as is shown below).
Overall the service flowed much like it did before the pandemic. Notable changes – in addition to the seating and to wearing masks throughout – included
- No congregational singing. The choir sang from a loft in the rear of the sanctuary while masked and while maintaining a distance of 10 or more feet from other singers. The congregation was invited to stand for select musical pieces, but requested to refrain from singing.
- Passing of the peace. Worshippers were asked to stay in their places and to greet those in front and behind them verbally with the peace of Christ. Those just behind me as well as in front of me shared the peace of Christ with me, and I reciprocated.
- Presentation of tithes and offerings. Rather than pass a plate, the pastor encouraged generosity through contactless means, including plates strategically placed at the entry and exit of the sanctuary.
- Eucharist / Communion / Lord’s Supper. Before the service, sealed communion packets were placed in the appropriate holders in front of the seats available for use during worship. When instructed, worshippers were asked to peel back one layer to remove a wafer, then peel back a second layer to gain access to grape juice. Once the package was open, the congregation’s normal practice of intinction was observed with folks being asked to then consume the remaining juice. While this was the most awkward portion of the service – especially for many of the older worshippers – it was also the most memorable.
- After worship fellowship. Worshippers were allowed to leave on their own during or following the postlude. I remained seated for the postlude, and then left via the exit nearest the lot where I parked (on entry these doors were not open to ensure everyone went through the screening protocol). Additionally, people were discouraged from their normal after worship fellowship. Despite these prohibitions, I was warmly welcomed by the pastor.
So What?
Gathering for weekly indoor worship has been a part of the tradition of every congregation I’ve served. The pandemic has forced congregations to learn new ways to worship, serve, and connect.
In a recent post – Giving Up Worship in Indoor Sacred Spaces – I suggested that the future of worship in most congregations will see indoor as primary be replaced by hybrid as normative (a blend of in person indoors and outdoors as well as online) and that changes will occur more rapidly than ever before.
St. Stephen is a great example of these shifts. Today for the first time ever, they provided an indoor worship service that was livestreamed allowing people to participate synchronously indoors in their sanctuary or online from any location. And, the public announcement of this new offering came only a few days prior to the launch.
Note: I believe it is the responsibility of every congregation to provide safe spaces for online and, when appropriate, in person worship. I expect this will look different in different contexts for at least the rest of 2021.