Touching Jesus

Summary

Today we’re continuing a series of six worship services on congregational practices that make Berkey the congregation it is. Two weeks ago we renewed our baptisms and last Sunday we focused on honoring each other. Today we turn to rituals in worship. Numerous times, the focus group that we gathered to talk about congregational practices said that doing rituals together in worship helps to make this congregation what it is.
So what is a ritual? In worship, a ritual is a ceremonial act where we try to make God’s presence tangible. At Berkey we have lots of worship rituals, and a common feature in all of them is using our hands to touch respectfully in order to make God’s presence tangible. I can think of nine rituals we use.