Worship After the Manner of the First Church of Boston (c. 1640)
The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
November 8, 2009 – 10:00 AM

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love
to greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship
hosted by the Board of Stewardship in the Social Hall.)

The early Congregationalists had no musical instruments in the meetinghouse because there was no clear warrant in Scripture for their use in worship. The organ was dubbed the ‘devil’s box of whistles.’ The first organ to be installed in an American meetinghouse was in Boston in 1713. Choirs did not become a part of Congregational worship until the late 18th century.

“How long did the services last? The opening prayer took about a quarter of an hour, while the longer prayer after the sermon (which in some churches preceded it) could last an hour, indeed as long as the sermon itself. Thus, if we include the exposition of the lesson, the psalm-singing, the offertory and the final blessing, each service must have lasted from three to three and a half hours. Jasper Danckaerts, the Dutch Labadist*, visited the Boston church in 1680. He reported that ‘a minister made a prayer in the pulpit of full two hours in length’ and that in the afternoon service ‘three or four hours were consumed with nothing except prayers, three ministers relieving each other alternately.’”

Horton Davies The Worship of the American Puritans
(which serves as the source for most of the commentary for today’s worship service. *Labadists were followers of Jean Labadie, a 17th century renegade
from the Roman Church who advocated an approach to Christianity
based on mysticism and community property.)

*GATHERING Call of the Conch Shell (Please Stand) Lee Jacobi

Until bells became readily available the Church was called together by the town bugler or drummer, or even with a conch shell. In some communities it was not uncommon for the folk to be “drummed into meeting” and to come in all together to the beat of the drum. This was partially to afford protection from attack.

*PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING

Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski, M.S., M.F.T.

“First when we come together in the church according to the Apostle's direction (1 Tim. 2:1) we make prayers and intercessions and thanksgivings for ourselves and for all men, not in any prescribed form of prayer, or studied liturgy, but in such a manner, as the Spirit of grace and of prayer (who teaches all the people of God what and how to pray, Rom. 8:26-27) helps our infirmities, we having respect therein to the necessities of the people, the estate of the times, and the works of Christ in our hands.” John Cotton

All the people stood for prayer with hands lifted up above their heads, in the manner enjoined in 1 Timothy 2:8. All prayers were extemporaneous, even the “Lord's Prayer” was viewed as a model for prayer only and was not customarily recited until sometime in the 18th century.

READING AND EXPOSITION OF SCRIPTURE
Mark 12:38-44 Rev. Barry Szymanski, J.D.

“After prayer, either the Pastor or Teacher, reads a chapter in the Bible, and expounds it, giving the sense, to cause the people to understand the reading, according to Nehemiah 8:8.” John Cotton

Early Congregationalists detested what was called “dumb reading,” or reading without explaining of the Scripture, so there was always a detailed explanation – often word-for-word – of the text being read.

38 Moreover he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes which love to go in long robes, and love salutations in the markets,
39 And the chief seats in the Synagogues, and the first rooms at feasts,
40 Which devour widows’ houses, even under a color of long prayers. These shall receive the greater damnation.
41 And as Jesus sat over against the treasury, he beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many rich men cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a quadrin.
43 Then he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.
44 For they all did cast in of their superfluity, but she of her poverty did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

PSALM SINGING

“Before sermon, and many times after, we sing a Psalm. . . those Psalms we sing, both in our public churches and in private.” John Cotton

Following the Reformed practice of the time, Congregationalists in New England sang only the Psalms or the Canticles (texts of the Scripture). The concern was to keep worship as close to that found in the New Testament as possible. This would remain the practice until Isaac Watts, an English Congregationalist, would begin writing hymn texts and introduce their use into Reformed worship. Instrumental music was permitted in the home, but not in the meetinghouse. Singing was led by a “precentor,” who led the singing, sometimes even “lining-out” the text.

All People That on Earth Do Dwell

O Lord, Almighty God, Thy Works

THE SERMON Rev. Steven Peay, Ph.D.
“The sermon was the climax of Puritan worship, as the exposition of the Word of God in both condemnation and consolation, expressing the Divine anger and the Divine mercy. Puritan ministers believed that every faithful preacher had to be a Boanerges or son of thunder before he became a Barnabas or son of consolation. . .The enthronement of the sermon in worship is seen in the dominance of the central pulpit on the long wall of practically every Puritan meetinghouse, as well as the symbolism of the open Bible resting on a velvet cushion on the pulpit's edge.” Horton Davies

The sermon was preached in the “plain style” emphasizing the declaration of the text, its explanation, and then its application. It was not uncommon for the sermon to last an hour or more and for people to bring paper and ink to ‘meeting’ in order to take notes. Children were quizzed on the sermon by their parents once they got home. It was also often customary to allow for others to rise and ‘exhort the brethren’ and for the minister to receive questions from the congregation, which he took seated in his chair.

THE SINGING OF THE PSALM

I to the Hills Will Lift Mine Eyes

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SEAL OF THE COVENANT and THE CONTRIBUTION

“The seals of the covenant (to wit, the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper) are administered by the Pastor or by the Teacher; . . . .Both the sacraments we dispense. . .” John Cotton

At this point in the service, when appropriate, the Sacraments would be celebrated. Otherwise, a concluding prayer would be said by the Pastor or the Teacher (eventually these two offices would be combined, though some Congregational churches, like this one, still retain a Teaching Minister). ‘The Contribution’ might also be received at this point when a deacon would rise and say, “Brethren of the congregation, now there is time left for contribution; wherefore God has prospered you, so freely offer.” The head of the family would walk forward and place an offering of goods or money on the central communion table. This morning we baptize Jessica Loreen Felton, the daughter of Greg and Caroline Godfrey Felton. Following the baptism the ushers will attend us.

THE PRAYER and THE BLESSING

The Congregation was dismissed with a blessing. The Minister(s) departed first.

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by Mary Beth Stevenson in honor of
what would have been the 100th birthday of her grandmother, Naomi Ross.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through 8th grade.

Worship Preview for Sunday, November 15 10:00 AM

We continue our celebration of Congregational Heritage Month
by worshiping in the manner of the 19th century.
Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled: “Living Between the Already and the Not-Yet.”

Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Kimberly Williams directs the Jubilation Ringers.