Getting Involved… With Liturgy!
By David Kurian (Dec. ’02)
Think about this. How much has God given to us? He gave us life. He gave us his son, Jesus, who suffered tortures, and died upon the Cross to give us eternal life. We always say ‘thank you’ when someone has done something for us. How can we thank God enough? It is well nigh impossible. God knows that we can never repay Him for all He has given us, and for all that He continues to shower on us. He is overjoyed if we just serve him in humility.
One way that we can thank Him is to serve in our churches, helping others and ourselves on our journey to salvation. Singing in the choir, ushering, reading the Epistle, chanting, these are examples of how we can serve God and be involved in the liturgical service. Some mothers have rambunctious kids, and they’re often at their wit’s end trying to quiet them. We can offer our help and watch over the kids. Then the parent can worship God more meaningfully and more peacefully.
What do you do best? Can you sing well? Are you a good reader? Are you good with kids? Are you outgoing? You can use all your talents, in some way or another, for God’s glory. If you can sing, go to the next choir practice and ask if you can join. Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained. The chanters at your church might teach you to chant — there’s no harm in asking! If you want to usher, just find out who’s in charge of ushering and ask him or her. They’ll probably be happy to have you do it. If you’re outgoing, you can talk about our faith to newcomers to the Church.
Each and every one of us has talents that God has given us. God gave us His light, and we shouldn’t hide it. Don’t think that it isn’t ‘cool’ to go up and sing in the choir. It might inspire others to get involved in the church too! God gave my sister Sarah the gift of singing. She sings in all kinds of choirs, and she chants at church. One day, while at camp, she decided not to go up to chant, because she thought that that might not be ‘cool’ with her friends. One of her friends had heard her chant before and persuaded her to do so. The next day, her entire cabin joined her and chanted the service. If Sarah had chosen to hide the light inside her, it would not have shown on others. You can spread the light of Christ by doing the work that God has chosen for you, and using your talents to glorify God.
Epistle reading is very easy to get involved in. Most of the teens in our SOYO participate in this ministry at our church. It is with great pleasure that the adults in our church welcome us teens to this form of ministry. Epistle reading is really a way of spreading God’s word. Some people hardly read the Bible regularly, and they only hear God’s Word when they come to church. Often, the wisdom of the Word of God is revealed to them when we read the epistle.
All young men should be involved in serving in the altar. Sometimes you might think that it’s boring to do so; but in reality, it is an honor to be like the angels, serving God in the Holy of Holies — the altar. If you participate wholeheartedly, you will understand what is going on during the liturgy; and the service will become extremely meaningful.
Involvement in liturgical services does not stop there. My little brother, Alex, after receiving communion, picks up a handful of bread and offers it to visitors and inquirers at our church. Some have journeyed on to become part of the faithful. Often, in their testimonies of faith, they mention that they felt touched by this little gesture of hospitality… coming from a little kid.
There is no reason for us to be passive in our participation in the liturgical services. Let us be zealous and do it because we love Christ. Let us be imitators of Jesus Christ and give without looking to receive back. Bear in mind, God has given us many blessings; let us use them for His glory.
