A prayerful reading of Scripture is a way of entering into a conversation with God, and allowing God to be the first speaker. So often our prayers are a conversation in which we are the only speakers and God does all the listening. This can be our default mode of conversation with God even during a worship service. The next time you attend a worship service pay attention to the “Prayers of Confession” or “Prayers of the People,” or even the “Proclamation of the Word,” and compare the amount of time spent we do the talking compared to the amount …
Here is a sample of a list of sins from a solemn assembly that was compiled by the preparatory team who had met in prayer for weeks before the larger gathering. You will want to go through the same preparatory process to compile your own list, but this one, taken and added to from HeartRest is a helpful start to you in compiling your own list for a bulletin insert. You will want to add printed directions regarding what you want people to do with this list during your solemn assembly.
This liturgy for the Reaffirmation of Baptism, including the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, was used by the Worship and Spiritual Renewal Committee of the 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in San Jose, California. This was the committee that discussed and approved the overture for solemn assemblies.
Confessional materials for solemn assembly's extended examination.
You may also find other materials that will be helpful to you elsewhere in Theology and Worship and in the Book of Common Worship.
One of the hallmarks of the Reformed liturgical tradition is the prominence of the confession of sin in public worship. Gathered in the presence of the holy, triune God, we immediately recognize our unrighteousness and brokenness in the light of God’s glory.
Some people are hearing God call for a solemn assembly. You can learn what a solemn assembly is through studying these materials.
Preparing for worship is like making space for God. When we offer hospitality to people, there is some preparation necessary on our part. We must see to it that there’s food in the house, we clean the house and get a sleeping place ready. We make sure there are clean towels and perhaps snip a few flowers from the garden to place on a bedside table to say welcome.
When we prepare to go to the place of worship, we, too, need to prepare our hearts for divine visitation. We need to make space in our lives by making sure …
The premier way in which spiritual renewal occurs is through diligent prayer. Before all else, pray, pray, pray and keep on praying!
These suggestions are for prayer preparation teams planning a solemn assembly.