Chapter 21

The key phrase of this chapter—liturgical script—refers to the rich legacy of faith the church has accumulated, preserved, and used over the centuries to deepen its root system. It’s the best of the past, which will help shape the ongoing worship, witness, and work of the church in the present—our writing, composing, preaching, serving, innovating, and so much more. The Lord’s Prayer is an example of the church’s liturgical script. It teaches us how to pray, which becomes critically important when circumstances outside our control drive us to our knees. The Creeds provide another example. They have also stood the test of time. And so have great hymns, poems, books, and works of art. These resources exist for us. They constitute the church’s memory. What do you learn about the importance of memory in the following passages?

Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 106; Psalm 145; Hebrews 11

As western culture becomes less friendly to Christianity, mastery of the church’s liturgical script becomes more necessary. Here is a short list to get you started.

1. Search online for “The So-Called Letter to Diognetus,” using the Cyril Richardson translation. It is an example of an early Christian explanation of Christianity, written to a Roman official. It is short, elegant, and moving.

2. If you haven’t done so yet, memorize the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

3. Try memorizing the Apostles’ Creed:

   I believe in God, the Father almighty,
   maker of Heaven and Earth;

   And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
   who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
   born of the Virgin Mary,
   suffered under Pontius Pilate,
   was crucified, dead, and buried.
   He descended into hell.
   The third day he rose again from the dead.
   He ascended into Heaven,
   and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
   From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

   I believe in the Holy Ghost,
   the holy catholic [universal] Church,
   the communion of saints,
   the forgiveness of sins,
   the resurrection of the body,
   and the life everlasting. Amen.

4. You might be familiar with the great hymn, Amazing Grace. Try to memorize it.

   Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
   That saved a wretch like me
   I once was lost, but now am found
   T'was blind but now I see.

   T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear
   And Grace, my fears relieved
   How precious did that grace appear
   The hour I first believed.

   Through many dangers, toils and snares
   We have already come.
   T'was grace that brought us safe thus far
   And grace will lead us home.

   When we’ve been there ten thousand years

   Bright shining as the sun

   Tis no less days to sing God’s praise

   Than when we first begun.

5. Try the same with Be Thou My Vision

   Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
   naught be all else to me, save that thou art--
   thou my best thought by day or by night,
   waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

   Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
   I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
   thou my great Father, I thy true son;
   thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

   Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight;
   be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
   thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tow'r:
   raise thou me heav'n-ward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.

   Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
   thou mine inheritance, now and always:
   thou and thou only, first in my heart,
   High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

   High King of Heaven, my victory won,
   may I reach Heaven's joys, O bright heav'n's Sun!
   Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
   still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

6. Go online to find two paintings: Rembrandt’s “Return of the Prodigal” and Carravaggio’s “The Calling of St. Matthew.”  Take an online tour of Yorkminster Cathedral, too. Spend time simply gazing at these masterpieces. What do you see?

Explore what you have learned about the liturgical script from the chapter, the Bible study, and the spiritual exercise. Do you see its value? Did your attempt to memorize some of it help you at all?

Hebrews 12:1-2