October 22, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Welcoming Liturgy

As Episcopalians, we believe that the Holy Eucharist is celebrated together as a community, and worship is not whole without the active contribution of every member of the congregation. – Dustin Seo, Cellist

I ran across this quote while reading an article by Mr. Seo entitled, “Worship as an Invitation to Belong.”  In that article he talks about church shopping, being a contract cellist for church music programs where he was seen as simply another vendor, to finally finding a church home.  He found a home in the Episcopal church through the liturgy and through the welcome and hospitality of parishioners. 

Mr. Seo reminds the reader that “liturgy” is a word derived from two Greek words, laos and ergos, and is roughly translated as “the people’s work,” or, “the work of the people.”  We are reminded that everyone has a role to play in the liturgy; none of us are bystanders, spectators, or an audience.  The priest and altar party obviously have the most visible roles, but the congregation also have roles to play – everything from lectors to ushers to ensuring responses are read and said in appropriate places with appropriate vigor.

Part of being a welcoming congregation is to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness with a sense of joy because our joyful worship is contagious and tells visitors that this is a good place to be.

The other part of being a welcoming congregation is to notice when visitors take that bold step to come to worship for the first time.  Our first contact with visitors should not be about swarming them with activities and asking them to lead Sunday school or sign up for coffee hour, but should be about offering a sincere welcome and a willingness to move out of your pew to help guide them through the liturgy.  Because, let’s face it, our liturgy can be complicated with the red book/blue book/stand up/sit down/kneel down/sit down movements.

I love our liturgy and find it is a time when most of us connect with God on a regular and personal basis.  But let us also remember that our liturgy can be a place of welcoming and community for those who are searching.

Blessings,